Coriander - Health Benefits and Side Effects

Botanical Name of Coriander: Coriandrum sativum.

Other Common Names:
Cilantro, culantrillo, dhania, chinese parsley. The seeds are usually known as coriander while the leaves are called cilantro.

Habitat:
Coriander is indigenous to the Mediterranean countries and today most of the commercial supply of coriander comes from Morocco, Romania and Egypt.

Plant Description:
Coriander is aromatic annual plant of the parsley family (Apiaceae). It has slender stems with two types of lobed leaves and can grow up 90 cm or 3 feet tall. The leaves at the base are broad and resemble Italian parsley while the leaves on the stems are slender and feathery. The flowers are white with a hint of purple formed in clusters followed by round ribbed seeds light brown in colour. The seeds have a pleasant aroma while the leaves have stronger almost pungent odor.

Plant Part Used:
Seed, oil and leaves.

The Coriander Plant (Coriandrum sativum)
(Click on image to enlarge)
Attribution:H. Zell

Coriander Seeds, Powder & Oil

Coriander Seed Essential Oil by Aura Cacia Organic Coriander Seed by Starwest Botanicals

Therapeutic Benefits and Uses of Coriander and Claims

• Both coriander seeds and coriander leaves (cilantro) have been used in cooking for millennium and coriander is considered one of the oldest spices in the world probably dating as far back as 5000 b.c. Today it is a major component in various traditional ethnic cooking.

Coriander
(Coriandrum sativum)
Koehler's Medicinal-Plants - 1887
• Traditionally coriander has been used to treat digestive and gastric complaints, small pox, nausea, anemia, fevers, measles, colds and hernias.
• This herb is a good source of dietary fiber. The coriander leaves contain minerals like iron, magnesium and manganese and they are also rich in vitamins A, B, and C.
• Due to cineole, a phytochemical found in coriander though to have anti-inflammatory effect, it has been used as an herbal remedy for many symptoms associated with arthritis.
• Coriander has been used as a natural treatment for high cholesterol levels. There is some indication that the acids (linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and ascorbic acid) found in coriander could be effective in lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) and raising good cholesterol (HDL).
• Coriander could be used as a treatment for diarrhea because of chemicals found in the essential oil. These chemicals (alpha-pinene, beta-phelandrene cineole, borneol andlimonene) have both anti bacterial and antifungal properties.
• The essential oil of coriander has antiseptic properties and has been used to treat mouth ulcers.
• Coriander has a reputation as an appetizer and has been used to increase appetite in those suffering from anorexia. It is thought to improve digestion and help in secretion of enzymes and digestive juices found in the stomach.
• Conjunctivitis is another ailment that has been treated by this herb. Coriander has disinfectant and anti-microbial qualites which explain this use.
• Some animal studies indicate that coriander can be used to stimulate the secretion of insulin and lower high blood sugar. These qualities could make coriander a good herbal remedy for diabetes.
• The vitamin K also found in coriander is thought to be helpful for people who have osteoporosis. The vitamin K may prevent activation of cells called osteoclasts that cause bone loss.

Dosage and Administration

The following daily dosage is often recommended by licensed herbalists.
A daily dose is usually 3.0 g of coriander.
Infusion – 1 cup between meals.
As a fluid extract, the dose is usually 5 to 30 drops.
For commercial products of coriander the manufacturer's instructions should always be followed.

Side Effects and Possible Interactions of Coriander

As a medicinal herb, coriander is usually considered safe. Because of the volatile found in the seeds, coriander may cause allergic reaction and some people may experience dermatitis after handling the leaves. Breastfeeding and pregnant women should not use excessive amount of this herb.

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"Having good health is very different from only being not sick."
Seneca The Younger, 50 AD