Steinmetz:Nigella

Nigella damascena

Also known as (or relevant to) Nigella damascena Family Ranunculaceae English Names Damascus Nigella Natural Habitat Mediterranean countries Southern Europe Asia Minor Syria Part(s) Used Semen Nigellae damascenae

Constituent(s) damascenin (alkaloid) melantin (saponin-glycoside) essential oil fatty oil nigellin albumen mucilage acids Action diuretic emmenagogue digestive aromatic carminative anthelmintic sudorific stimulant tonic emollient narcotic sternutatory toxic. The essential oil which has the smell and the taste of strawberries is used in perfumery

Nigella sativa

Also known as (or relevant to) Nigella sativa Family Ranunculaceae English Names Nigella Black Cummin Black Caraway Love-in-a-mist Natural Habitat Balkan Mediterranean countries Southern Europe; cultivated in Malaya India Part(s) Used Semen Nigellae sativae

Constituent(s) essential oil fatty oil saponin nigellin albumen mucilage acids sugar metarbin melanthin gum Action diuretic emmenagogue digestive aromatic carminative anthelmintic sudorific stimulant tonic anti-bilious stomachic purgative resolutive galactagogue used as a spice