If you’re trying to reduce your cholesterol or lose weight, try consuming a handful of kalonji seeds.

Nigella seed oil is known to help with weight loss. A clinical trial in 50 people with obesity revealed that having nigella seed oil with a low-calorie diet for 8 weeks can decrease oxidative damage and body weight. Including kalonji in your diet regularly can help you control your weight. Chehl N, et al. (2009). Anti-inflammatory effects of the Nigella sativa seed extract, thymoquinone, in pancreatic cancer cells.Saliha B, Sipahib T, Oybak Dönmez, E (2009). "Ancient nigella seeds from Boyalı Höyük in north-central Turkey". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 124 (3): 416–20. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.05.039. PMID 19505557. {{ cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ( link) A few studies have found that kalonji is a great way to treat hemorrhoids. This ancient remedy has been used in various cultures for hundreds of years, and has been used by people all over the world for centuries. However, these effects were only significant when participants combined kalonji with diet and lifestyle modifications, suggesting that the herb supplements alone aren’t effective for weight loss. Disease-causing bacteria are responsible for a long list of dangerous infections, ranging from ear infections to pneumonia. It should be noted that physical activity levels weren’t assessed in many of the studies, which potentially also influenced the results.

However, the powder appears to be more effective than the oil for increasing HDL (good) cholesterol, possibly related to the powder’s higher concentration of heart healthy fats ( 12). Summary A review of 17 RCTs in people with type 2 diabetes showed that kalonji powder and oil significantly reduced levels of fasting blood sugar, as well as hemoglobin A1c, a marker of 3-month average blood sugar levels ( 15). A review of 5 RCTs found kalonji powder and oil supplements significantly decreased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) — an indicator of inflammation and heart disease risk — in people with obesity based on body mass index (BMI) ( 9, 10). It contains minerals like copper, zinc, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. It also has vitamins like thiamine, niacin, pyridoxine, and folic acid. Kalonji has been used as an antidiabetic herb in traditional medicine for a long time. Evidence shows that kalonji reduces high blood sugar levels in diabetic rats. Nigella sativa extract and oil contain a plant chemical called thymoquinone. It helps increase insulin levels and decrease blood sugar levels. Nigella seeds can be used as a functional food to control and prevent diabetes.The herb may also reduce heart disease risk through its beneficial effects on blood pressure and blood fat levels. Kaatabi H, et al. (2012). Favorable impact of Nigella sativa seeds on lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients. a b " Nigella sativa". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture . Retrieved 11 December 2017. Hannan A, et al. (2008). Anti bacterial activity of Nigella sativa against clinical isolates of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Salarinia R, et al. (2016). Safety evaluation of Phytovagex, a pessary formulation of Nigella sativa, on pregnant rats. One review of 17 studies found that supplementing with kalonji was associated with significant decreases in both total and “bad” LDL cholesterol, as well as blood triglycerides. Kalonji aids in proper digestion and eases your bowels. It helps treat indigestion, stomach discomfort, abdominal pain, heartburn, gastric ulcers, and diarrhea.

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A review of 11 studies in 783 participants with obesity or overweight found that kalonji powder and oil reduced body weight by an average of 4.6 pounds (2.1 kg) and waist circumference by 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) over 6–12 weeks, compared with a placebo ( 6). Morsi N M. (2000). Antimicrobial effect of crude extracts of Nigella sativa on multiple antibiotics-resistant bacteria.