Magic of Coriander

Magic of Coriander — Hindi Name: Dhaniya

Latin Name: Coriandrum Sativum

Sanskrit Name: Dhanyakam, Dhanaka

English Name: Coriander

Kannada Name: Kottambri

Malayalam Name: Kottamalli, Malli

Tamil Name: Kottamalli

Telgu Name: Daniyalu Kotimira

Origin, Distribution & Composition

Coriander is a native of the Mediterranean region, where it has been grown since ancient time. It is extensively cultivated in Europe, North Africa, throughout India, South America, Malaysia, Thailand and china.

Coriander is both an annual and a perennial herb. It is erect, sweet smelling, a glabrous, aromatic, herbaceous annual 30-90cm in height with many branched. The stem is feeble, smooth and light green in colour. Leaves decompounds, lower ones long – petioles and upper one short petioles or sub- sessile, imparipinnatisect in to linear – setaceous lobes. Flower small, white or pinkish purple in compound terminal umbel. Fruits yellowish brown, spherical, ribbed, about in one centimeter in diameter, separated in to two halves’ (mericarps) each containing a seed. They have sweet fragrance.

Coriander is rich of various food elements. An analysis of coriander shows them to contain moisture 86.3%, protein 3.3%, fat 0.6%, minerals 2.3%, fibre 1.2% & carbohydrates 6.3% per 100 grams. The mineral and vitamin content are calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin & vitamin-c. they also contain sodium, potassium & oxalic acid their calorific value is 44.

Chemical Constitution: linalool, linalyl acetate, thymol, beta-caryphyllene, alpha-pinene, borneol, limonene, beta-phellandrene, citranellol, 1,8-cineole and geranyl acetate.

Propagation: Seed and Vegetative Method.

Part Used: Leaves, Fruits.

Healing Power and Curative Properties

Control Body Dosha: Pitta

The leaves are acrid, astringent, aromatic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and styptic. The leaves strengthen the stomach and promote its action, relieve flatulence, increase secretion and discharge of urine and reduce fever. They acts as aphrodisiac, help in removal of catarrhal matter and phlegm from bronchial tubes. It also useful in halitosis, pharyngopathy, epistaxis, ulemorrhagia, chronic conjunctivitis, hiccough, inflammation, suppuration, hemorrhoids, jaundice, and odontalgia. The fruits are aromatic, bitter, sweet, acrid, astringent, emollient, thermogenic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, stomachic, carminative, and digestive, appetizer, constipating, and diuretic, anti-pyretic, expectorant. Coriander seeds are reducing fever and promote feeling of coolness. Coriander juice is highly beneficial in deficiencies of vitamin A, B1, B2, C & iron.

In Digestive Problems

One tablespoon of coriander juice with buttermilk is useful in treating disorder related to digestive system such as nausea, indigestion, dysentery, hepatitis, and ulcerative colitis typhoid fever. Dry coriander helpful to treat diarrhea and chronic dysentery, acidity. A Chutney made from dry coriander, green chilies, grated coconut, ginger and black grapes, without seed is a wonderful remedy for abdominal pain due to indigestion.

Small Pox

One teaspoon fresh coriander juice, mixed with 1 or 2 seeds of banana, given once daily regularly, for a week is a very effective measure against small pox. It is believed that putting fresh leaf juice in eyes, during an attack of small pox prevent eye damage.

High Cholesterol Level

Regular uses of coriander water help lower blood cholesterol level as it is good diuretic and stimulant for kidneys. It is prepared by boiling dry seeds of coriander and straining the decoction after cooling.

Excessive Menstrual Flow

Coriander seed help to control excessive menstrual flows. Coriander Seed boiled with water and take it as it is warm. the patient will get relief in 3 to 4 days.

Conjunctivitis

Decoction prepared with freshly dried coriander is an excellent eye wash in conjunctivitis. It help in burning sensation and reduce swelling.

Skin Disorder

A teaspoon of coriander juice, mixed with pinch of turmeric powder is an effective remedy for acne, blackheads & dryness of skin.

It also useful in intermittent fever, hyperdipsia, gout, rheumatism, giddiness, allergic inflammation, dyspepsia, cough, bronchitis, anorexia & colic etc.