Kalijiri: Health Benefits, Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Kalijiri, also known as Bitter Cumin, is a plant commonly grown in India and Southeast Asia. The seeds are brown and have a sharp, bitter taste. Raw seeds are challenging to consume directly and are traditionally used as an ingredient in classic Ayurvedic formulations.

Kalijiri seeds are beneficial for respiratory diseases such as asthma due to their bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also useful for vitiligo due to its ability to promote melanin synthesis.

Kalijiri is used as an ingredient in Ayurvedic creams and oils used to manage skin infections due to its antibacterial properties. The antioxidants present in Kalijiri also help wound healing by accelerating wound contraction. According to Ayurveda, applying Kalijiri seed paste with Neem or coconut oil can help with early wound healing due to its Kashay (astringent) properties. It has been found in detoxifying blood by eliminating toxins and hence increasing their elimination. It has also been found for losing weight and managing flatulence as well.

What are the synonyms for Kalijiri?

Kalijiris is pronounced with different names in different languages. It’s called Centratherum anthelminticum in Latin. In Sanskrit, it's known as Vanyajiraka, Aranya-Jiraka, Aranyajirakah, Kaalijiri,Brihatpali, Karjiri,Somaraji,Vanajiraka. It is known as Somaraaj or Babchi in Bengali. In Gujarati, Kalijiri is known as Kaaleejeeree, Kadavijeeree, or Kadvo-Jiri. In Punjabi, it's known as Bukoki, Kakshama, Kala-Zira, Kali-ziri, Malwa-bakchi, Malwabakshi. It's also known in multiple names in Hindi, namely as Kaalijeeree, Karajiri, Soharaai, Bakchi, Bakshi, and Buckshi. In Telugu as Adavijilakaroa and Garetikamma. And in Tamil, it's known as Kaattuchirakam, Chittilai, or Kaattu Chirakam.

From where Kalijiri is grown?

Kalijiri, Ayurvedic medicine, is a plant-based herb.

Benefits of consuming Kalijiri

1. Indigestion

Kalijiri helps manage indigestion. According to Ayurveda, indigestion refers to the condition of an incomplete digestive process. The main reason for indigestion is aggravated Kapha, which causes Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). Using Kalijiri in your diet will help improve Agni (digestive fire) and help digest food easily. This is due to the Deepan (appetizer) property.

Tips for using Kalijiri for indigestion

1. A well-known way to consume Kalijiri is by mixing it with Methi seeds and Ajwain.
2. Make all the ingredients mentioned above separately and sift them to remove stones or other impurities.
3. Now on a dry roast, roast Kalijiri for 1 minute.
4. Repeat this process for the other two ingredients as well.
5. Grind each ingredient separately to get a powder.
6. Mix the three powders to get Kalijiri, Methi, and Ajwain powder.
7.  Take 1-3 gm of this mixture with hot water at bedtime (or as directed by your doctor) to eliminate symptoms of indigestion.

2. Asthma

The main Doshas associated with asthma are Vata and Kapha. Vitiated “Vata'' combines with the deranged 'Kapha dosha' in the lungs to block the respiratory tract. This causes shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. This condition is called Swas Roga (asthma). Kalijiri helps manage asthma due to its Vata-Kapha balance and Ushna (hot) properties. It also helps remove obstructions and makes breathing easier.

3. Cough

Cough is a widespread disease that usually occurs with colds. Commonly known as Kapha disorder in Ayurveda. Coughing is generally caused by the accumulation of mucus in the respiratory tract. Kalijiri helps manage cough due to its Kapha balance and Ushna (hot) properties. It helps by quickly draining accumulated mucus to relieve it.

4. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Urinary tract infections are described by Ayurveda's broad term Mutrakcchra. Mutra means ooze, and krichra means painful. Therefore, painful urination and dysuria are called Mutrakcchra. Kalijiri helps manage urinary tract infections due to its Mutral (diuretic) properties. It increases urine flow and reduces symptoms of urinary tract infections.

5. Healing wounds

Wounds are caused by external injuries and lead to certain conditions such as pain, swelling, or sometimes bleeding. This is due to the deteriorated Vata dosha at the site of the damage. Kalijiri helps in managing wounds due to its Vata balancing and Kashay (astringent) properties. It also helps in reducing symptoms of injuries such as pain or bleeding and promotes rapid healing.

Tips for consuming Kalijiri powder.

1. Take a few Kalijiri seeds.
2. Grind to a powder.
3. Mix this powder with neem oil or coconut oil.
4. Applying to the affected area once a day can quickly relieve wounds or skin infections.

Precautions when consumingKalijiri

During Breastfeeding

There is no scientific information available on the use of Kalijiri in breastfeeding. Since a specific diet is recommended to mothers during this period, it is advisable to avoid or consult a doctor before using Kalijiri while breastfeeding.

During Pregnancy

According to modern science, there is not enough scientific information available for the use of Kalijiri during pregnancy. Since there are a lot of hormonal changes, a female goes through pregnancy. It is advisable to avoid or consult a doctor before using Kalijiri in pregnancy.

How to use Kalijiri

Kalijiri Powder

1. A well-known way to consume Kalijiri is by mixing it with Methi seeds and Ajwain.
2. Take all the ingredients mentioned above separately and sift them to remove stones or other impurities.
3. Now on a dry roast, roast Kalijiri for 1 minute.
4. Repeat this process for the other two materials.
5. Grind each ingredient separately to get a powder.
6. Mix all three powders to get Kalijiri, Methi, and Ajwain powder.
7. Take 1-3 gm of this mixture with hot water at bedtime (or as directed by your doctor) to eliminate symptoms of indigestion.

Tips for using Kalijiri powder.

1. Take some Kalijiri seeds.
2. Grind to make a powder.
3. Mix this powder with neem oil or coconut oil.
4. Apply once a day on the affected area for quick relief from injury or skin infection.

Kalijiri paste

1. Take some Kalijiri seeds.
2. Grind to make a powder.
3. Add this powder to neem oil or coconut oil and make a paste.
4. Apply this paste once a day for quick relief from injury or skin infection.

Commonly Asked Questions

Q1. Is Kalijiri available in the market?

Yes, Kalijiri seeds and seed powder are readily available in the market. It can be purchased online or from the market.

Q2. What is the taste of Kalijiriseeds?

The seeds have a bitter taste. Kalijiri seeds alone are hard to eat, so take them with other herbs like methi and Ajwain.

Q3. Are Kalijiri and Jeera the same?

No, they are not. Kalijiri and Jeera are not identical. Kalijiri is used for medicinal purposes and not much in cooking due to its bitter taste. Cumin has a strong aroma and taste and is a commonly used spice in Indian cuisine.

Q4. Does Kalijiri help with diabetes?

Q5. Can Kalijiri Help with Kidney Stones?

Q6. Does Kalijiri help with hypertension?

According to modern science, Kalijiri seeds have diuretic properties and help with hypertension. It stimulates urine production and helps in the removal of sodium ions, which leads to relaxing blood vessels and lowers blood pressure.

Q7. Can Kalijirihelp in breathingdifficulties?

Yes, Kalijiri seeds eliminate breathing difficulties due to bronchodilator properties. It relaxes the airway and increases airflow. It reduces inflammation in the lungs due to the presence of specific components that have anti-inflammatory properties.Kalijiri helps manage asthma due to its Vata-Kapha balance and Ushna (hot) properties and provides relief in breathing

Q8. Does Kalijiri help in treating fever?

According to modern science. Yes, Kalijiri has antipyretic properties with fevers. It lowers body temperature and reduces the pain that is related to fever due to the presence of its analgesic properties. A person with a fever can consume Kalijiri with hot water (recipe mentioned above) to relieve fever.

Q9. Can Kalijiri help to deal with vitiligo?

Q10. Can Kalijiri be used for arthritis?

Q11. Is Kalijiri Beneficial for Fungal Infections?

As per modern science, Kalijiri seeds may help in the management of fungal infections. This may be due to the presence of specific components (phenol) that have antifungal properties. It prevents the growth and multiplication of fungi that cause fungal infections. Apart from that, many other factors can increase fungal infections on the skin (like moisture trap and chafing), so dependence on Himsara for fungal infection should be done with caution.

Q12. Can Kalijiri help with diarrhea?

Q13. Can Kalijiri heal skin wounds?

In scientific medicine, the topical application of Kalijiri leaf extract can help in wound healing. It contains constituents (flavonoids, fatty acids, and saponins) that promote wound shrinkage and increase collagen production. It reduces inflammation and heals wounds associated with irritation. The use of Kalijiri can help in the recovery of injuries and can close wounds for better healing.

Q14. Can Kalijirihelp with Skin Infections?

Q15. Can Kalijiri help control mosquitoes?

As per modern science, Yes, Kalijiri leaves and fruit extract can be used as a natural preventive agent against mosquito infestation. It helps to control mosquitoes by inhibiting the growth of the Anopheles mosquito (vector of malaria) in the larval stage due to the larvicidal property. Therefore, malaria can be prevented from spreading malaria.