Upakunchika, also known as Nigella sativa, is an annual flowering plant native to Europe, Spain and Jammu Kashmir in India. It grows 20-30 cm tall with pale blue or white delicate flowers and black seeds contained in follicles. The seeds have various chemical components and properties that give it medicinal uses. According to different scholars, it is a carminative, digestive aid, and helps treat fever, indigestion, and respiratory illnesses while boosting appetite, strength and eyesight. The dosage is 1-3 grams of the seeds which are the useful part of the plant.

1. Upakunchika- Nigella sativa
Introduction:-
The scientific name is a derivative of Latin Niger (black), The
seeds are frequently referred to as black cumin, Nigella sativa
is an annual flowering plant

2. • Vernacular Names:-
San- Upakunchika, Kalajaji
Hin- Kalonji, Mangarella
Ben- Mangarela Kalajeera
Mar- Kalonj
Guj- Kalonj
Tam- Karunjeeragam
Tel- Nallajeerakir
Kan- karijirige
Mal- Karunjeeragam
Eng- small fennel
Lat- Nigella sativa

3. Kula- Vatsanaba
Family- Ranunculaceae

4. Verities:-

5. Habitat:-Europe, spain, Jammu Kashmir in
India

6. Morphology:-
It grows to 20–30 cm (7.9–12 in) tall, with finely
divided, linear (but not thread-like) leaves. The
flowers are delicate, and usually coloured pale
blue and white, with five to ten petals. The fruit
composed of three to seven united follicles, each
containing numerous seeds. The seeds dark black .

9. Chemical Composition:-
Albumin,
Carbonic acid,
Melanthin,
Arebic acid,
Nigellin,
Tannin &
Ash

10. Properties:-
Guna- Lagu, Ruksha, Teekshna
Rasa- Katu,Tikta
Veerya- Usna
Vipaka- Katu

11. Dosha Karma:-
Pittavardaka
Kaphavatashamaka

12. Functions Acc to Diff Scholars:-
Rochana,Deepana- C.S
Pachana,Deepana,Sandana- S.Y.S
Grahi,Medya,Jwara,Pachana,Vrashya,Balya,Ch
akshusya- B.N

13. Useful Part:-
Seeds

14. Dosage:-
1-3 gm

15. Special preparations

16. Cotations:-
Jeerakastitrayam rukshyam katusnam deepanm
lagu I
sangrahi pittalam medyam garbasayavisuddikrut II
Jwaragnm pachanam vrasdhyam balyam rukshyam
kaphapaham I
Chakshusyam
pavanadmangulmachardyatisarahrut II