409-429Nigella sativa Linn. (Family-Ranunculaceae)
is a widely used medicinal plant throughout India and popular in various
Indigenous System of Medicine like Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Tibb. The seeds
are used as astringent, bitter, stimulant, diuretic, emmenagogue and
anthelmintic. They are also useful in jaundice, intermittent fever, dyspepsia,
paralysis, piles and skin diseases. The present review is therefore, an effort
to give a detailed survey of the literature on pharmacognosy, phytochemistry
and pharmacological activities of the plant