Black Seed (Kalonji)

Black seed, or kalonji, is an annual flowering plant of the buttercup family with finely divided leaves, delicate pale blue or white flowers and inflated seed capsules filled with small, black, angular seeds. It is native to western Asia and eastern Europe and is cultivated in India.

The seed is used. In Ayurveda it is known as Krishna jiraka or Upakunchika and is traditionally used in digestive preparations and hair care oils. It is also widely used as a spice in Indian breads and pickles.