Kali Jeeri (Kalijiri) – Centratherum Anthelminticum

Kali Jeeri (also spelled as Kalijiri & Kaali Jeeri) is seed of plant Centratherum Anthelminticum. It is popular in combination with Ajwain and Methi for reducing weight and improving digestive health. It is used for the treatment of the skin diseases in which it helps to reduce itching and skin irritation. It is believed to be the blood purifier (correctly detoxifier) because it removes the toxins from the blood and increases their elimination. Kali Jeeri is an excellent Ayurvedic medicine for roundworm, tapeworm and thread worm, which can also be present in the gut. It also increases appetite, but its bitter taste may provoke nausea in some bitter taste sensitive people.

Kali Jeeri also promotes hair growth. It helps to control the blood glucose level. It is also beneficial for people with postprandial hyperglycemia (rise in blood glucose level following a meal).

Note: Kali Jeeri is also known as Kala Jeera. Kali Jeeri (Kalijiri or Centratherum Anthelminticum) is often confused with black caraway seed or black cumin seeds (Kala Jeera). According to Ayurveda texts, Kala Jeera is also called Krishna Jeerak, which belongs to seeds of carum bulbocastanum plant. However, they both have similar benefits, especially when we talk about abdominal diseases, but both are different seeds of different plants and have a significant difference in health benefits. In skin diseases, Kali Jeeri is more beneficial than Kala Jeera.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Botanically, Kali Jeeri is recognized as Centratherum Anthelminticum and belongs to Asteraceae (Compositae) family and a relative of sunflowers.

Common Names

Botanical Classification (Plant Taxonomy)

MEDICINAL PARTS

The seeds of Centratherum Anthelminticum are used in Ayurvedic and folk medicines. Tender leaves are used in the treatment of diarrhea that occurs due to food poisoning.

PHYTOCHEMISTRY (Chemical Composition)

Kali Jeeri (Seed of Centratherum Anthelminticum) is rich in flavonoids including:

• ALKALOID-VERNONINE
• BRASSICASTEROL
• BUTIN (7,3,4-TRIHYDROXYDIHYDROFLAVONE)
• STEROLS-2V Α-METHYL VERNOSTEROL
• STIGMASTEROL
• LINOLEIC
• MONOHYDROXY-OLEIC ACID
• MYRISTIC ACID
• OLEIC ACID
• PALMITIC ACID
• STEARIC ACID
• VERNOLIC ACID
• RESINS

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS

Kali Jeeri (Centratherum Anthelminticum Seed) acts as anthelmintic, which is likely to be more effective against roundworm and tapeworm. In the skin, its anti-inflammatory property is more observable by which it is a good curative measure for a wide range of skin diseases including ulcer, eczema and even psoriasis. It mainly reduces itching and skin irritation and exerts soothing action. It can cure skin ulcers, and be helpful in the treatment of Leucoderma. It has anti-hyperglycemic action, which helps to control diabetes mellitus.

Medicinal Properties

Kali Jeeri has following medicinal properties:

1. Anthelmintic
2. Anti-ulcer
3. Emetic
4. Purgative
5. Blood purifier (accurately detoxifier)
6. Stomachic
7. Diuretic
8. Antibacterial
9. Antimicrobial
10. Anti-hyperglycemic

Ayurvedic Properties

Kali Jeeri mainly works on the KAPHA DOSHA and may also reduce the Vata aggravation. According to its Ayurvedic properties, it should not be given in conditions with Pitta aggravation. Therefore, it is most suitable for the people with Kapha dominant symptoms. It also works well in obesity and obesity linked diseases. It is also likely to reduce lipids in the blood, so it is also beneficial for people with elevated cholesterol and triglyceride level in the blood.

Kali Jeeri Therapeutic Indications

Kali Jeeri has a wide range of therapeutic indication in folk medicine and traditional Ayurvedic medicine. It is mainly recommendable in following health conditions:-

• Pruritus (Itching)
• Weeping eczema
• Psoriasis (when itching is more predominant and patient has no burning sensation)
• Itching in the eyes
• Constipation
• Hiccup
• Worm infestation, especially, roundworm and threadworm
• Hyperlipidemia (elevated lipids in the blood)
• Urinary retention (ischuria)
• Dysuria (Painful or difficult urination)
• Breast milk problems – when breast milk does not seem fresh, having a bad odor and heavy to digest for child – Kali Jeeri enhances the quality of breast milk and decreases all these symptoms.
• Chronic fever
• Internal abscess
• Intestinal colic
• Snake bite

Externally, the paste of Kali Jeeri powder is applied on the skin in following conditions:-

• Carbuncles
• Boils
• Pimples or acne
• Applied over the scalp to kill Head Lice
• Leucoderma (4 parts Kali Jeeri + 1 Parts Hartal)
• Inflamed skin

Benefits & Medicinal Uses

Kali Jeeri effects appear in the lymph, blood, fats, skin, gut and kidneys. It has antibacterial, antiviral and anthelmintic actions, which help to get rid of a wide range of diseases.

Worm Infestation

Kali Jeeri (Centratherum Anthelminticum seed) is effective against intestinal worms and parasitic infestation in the human. It gives good results against roundworm and tapeworm infestation because of potent anthelmintic action against these worm species.

In Ayurveda, it is given along with Jaggery and Vaividang (False Black Pepper or Embelia Ribes) in the following way.

Constipation, Bloating, Belching & Intestinal Gas

Along with Kutki (Picrorhiza Kurroa), Kali Jeeri is a highly effective in cases of bloating, belching and intestinal gas. Both herbs have potent carminative, antiflatulent, antispasmodic, and cholagogue actions. One can get good results within a week with these remedies. 500 mg Kalijiri, 500 mg Kutki and 50 mg Kali Mirch (black pepper) should be taken twice daily with water, after meal for the best results. This treatment is also effective when gas accumulated in the abdomen and result in abdominal distension.

Kali Jeeri for Weight Loss

Kali Jeeri is more famous among people for weight loss. The commonly used formula is Kali Jeeri Ajwain Methi formula:-

To potentiate the fat burning effects, one can also use Arogyavardhini Vati or Kutki powder in a dosage of 1 gram twice daily.

Pruritus

Kali Jeeri along with Haldi (Turmeric), Ajwain (carom seeds), Kutki and Kali Mirch (black pepper) is used to treat intense itching or pruritus due to any underlying cause. It should be mixed in following proportion:

Weeping Eczema

When in atrophic dermatitis watery fluid is weeping from affected skin, then Kali Jeeri is highly effective. It is used orally as well as externally. Orally, it is taken in doses of 500 mg thrice daily and externally, its paste is applied over the affected skin. Additionally, it kills the microbes and brings down the inflammation. It speeds up the recovery from the skin lesion. Some Ayurvedic doctors also recommend mixing the Kali Jeeri Powder in the Neem oil or Nimbadi Thailam for early recovery from the lesion.

Leucoderma

In Leucoderma, Kali Jeeri is applied on the affected skin as per following mixture:-

For additional support, Edible Babchi (Bakuchi) Oil in dosage of 5 to 10 drops is given with milk and the following mixture is used internally.

Diabetes Mellitus

Kali Jeeri (Centratherum Anthelminticum) is studied for its anti-diabetic potential. Kali Jeeri increases the insulin secretion from the pancreas and glucose uptake. According to study, it reduces hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus. (Reference)

In folk medicine, Kali Jeeri along with Methi (fenugreek) is used for the management of diabetes mellitus. It works well when blood glucose level is less than 180 mg/dl. In case, fasting blood sugar level is more than 180 mg/dl, then one also requires other medicines.

Dosage & Administration

Safety Profile

Kali Jeeri is non-toxic, but emetic herb, which can result in nausea or vomiting in some sensitive people. Otherwise, it is well-tolerated in most of the adults.

Kali Jeeri Side Effects

In adults, if dosage is less than 1 gram per day (taken in divided doses), then it does not cause any side effect, but when its dosage increases, its emetic action also increases, which results in nausea and vomiting.

• Nausea (very common)
• Vomiting (common)
• Diarrhea (uncommon)
• Dizziness (uncommon)
• Stomach cramps (rare, but occurs only with dosage more than 3 grams twice daily)

Allergic Reaction

Allergic reactions to Kali Jeeri are very rare, but if anyone has the following symptoms after taking it, then he can be allergic to it and need to stop it immediately.

1. Skin Rashes
2. Tongue Swelling
3. Colicky pain in the abdomen
4. Redness around the lips
5. Tingling mouth
6. Watery eyes

Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy: Kali Jeeri has the moderate type of laxative action, so it may cause diarrhea and induce uterine contractions. Therefore, it should avoid during pregnancy. According to Ayurveda, it has strong KATU RASA and USHANA VIRYA, which is not suitable in pregnancy.

Lactation: Kali Jeeri is likely to be safe during lactation period and it is generally recommended for improving the quality of the milk. The dosage of Kali Jeeri should be around 250 mg to 500 mg twice daily. The dosage should not exceed from 1 gram per day.

Contraindications

• Bleeding disorders
• Pregnancy

Questions & Answers

Can we use Kalijiri for bloated stomach with acid reflux?

Kalijiri is beneficial in bloating, but I am not sure if it will work in acid reflux. We have never recommended Kalijiri alone for acid reflux because of its hot potency.