Nigella damascena vs Ethiopian Gesho

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Nigella damascena

Digestive

Rhamnus prinoides

Digestive

Nigella damascena

✅ Generally safe in pregnancy

✅ Generally safe while nursing

Ethiopian Gesho

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

Ornamental annual of the Mediterranean with lacy bracts and blue flowers, seeds used in Middle Eastern cooking.

Bittering herb central to Ethiopian cuisine and traditional medicine, used as hops equivalent in tej honey wine.

Active Compounds

damascenine, hederin, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids

rhamnazin, quercetin, kaempferol, tannins

Traditional Uses

Traditional Middle Eastern culinary and medicinal herb, Used in North African folk medicine for digestive conditions

bittering agent in tej and tella Ethiopian beverages, treatment of malaria fever, digestive bitter

Modern Uses

Digestive stimulant, Antimicrobial, Mild analgesic, Traditional folk medicine

antimicrobial, antifungal, digestive bitter

Adult Dosage

Seeds as spice; Tea: 1 tsp seeds per cup 2x/day

2-4g dried leaf as bitter tea

Contraindications

No specific contraindications established

pregnancy, liver disease

Side Effects

Mild gastrointestinal effects at high doses

bitter GI reaction

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E