Nigella Sativa L
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Nigella sativa L is an annual herbaceous plant found in the southwestern USSR as a weed, cultivated for its seeds used as bread topping and seasoning. The seeds contain fatty and essential oils, saponin-like melanthin, and two alkaloids: nigellin and coni-nigellin, and are used in folk medicine as a carminative, emmenagogue, and anthelmintic.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
NIGELLA SATIVA L A SATIVA., black seed, annual herbaceous plant, found in the wild in the southwestern part of the USSR as a weed. Cultivated for obtaining seeds, used for sprinkling bread and as a seasoning. The seeds contain fatty and essential oil, saponin-like melanthin and two amorphous alkaloids: nigellin and coni-nigellin. In folk medicine, it is used as a carminative, enhancing menstrual discharge and anthelmintic. Also used in veterinary practice. Another species, very similar to N. s.,-N. damascena., Turkish black seed, is used in the same way as Nigella sativa.
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“Nigella Sativa L.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/nigella-sativa-l/