Common name Coriander (E), Cilantro (E), Dhaniya (H) Sanskrit Dhanyaka Latin Coriandrum sativum – Folium / Semen  (Umbelliferae).
This popular Indian curry ingredient is also an invaluable medicine; it soothes an irritated digestive system and cools any burning sensations in the body. Its sweet aroma can subtly lift the spirits. Dhanya-ka is a proper noun also meaning ‘rich’.

ENERGETICS

• Rasa (taste) Pungent, bitter, sweet
• Virya (energy) Cooling (leaves), warming (seed)
• Vipaka(post-digestive effect) Sweet
• Guna(quality) Light, oily
• Doshaeffect VPK-, especially pitta
• Dhatu(tissue) Plasma, blood, muscle
• Srotas (channel) Digestion, urinary, respiratory, nervous

CONSTITUENTS

Volatile oil Coriandrol, anethole, camphor, limonene, geraniol, borneol
Flavonoids Rutin, quercetin, apigenin
Coumarins Psoralen, angelicin, umbelliferone
Phenolic acids
Phthalides
(Williamson 2003)

AYURVEDIC ACTION of Coriandrum sativum

• Dipana Appetite stimulant
• Amapacana Toxin digester
• Sulaprasamana Alleviates intestinal spasms
• Dahaghna Alleviates burning in the body
• Agnimandyanasaka Alleviates sluggish appetite
• Trishnanigrahan Alleviates thirst
• Hridaya Lifts the spirits
• Krimighna Worm killer
• Mutrala Diuretic
• Kusthaghna Alleviates hot skin conditions

BIOMEDICAL ACTION

Carminative, diuretic, antiallergenic, alterative, diaphoretic, antispasmodic, expectorant, vermifuge, febrifuge

INDICATIONS of Coriandrum sativum

Digestion Coriandrum sativum seed is an excellent remedy for promoting pitta digestion as it enkindles agni but does not aggravate acidity. It can be used safely when there is inflammation in the digestive system and when agni needs strengthening. It is a useful carminative herb prescribed in IBS and colic. Both the leaf and seed are used for digestion to clear flatulence, griping and bloating. The powder of the seed is used for worms in children (Bhavaprakasa).

Urinary Acold infusion of the seeds is very useful for draining heat out of the urinary system. Useful in cystitis, dysuria and cloudy urine (Bhavaprakasa). Also beneficial in the hot type of diabetes (pittaja prameha) and for helping to reduce hot flushes.

Allergies The juice of the leaf is used externally for allergic rashes and internally for allergic rhinitis from pitta (Frawley & Lad 1994). It specifically clears toxins fromthe blood.

Lungs Its antispasmodic and expectorant properties help to clear mucus from the lungs (Paranjpe 2001).

Heavy metals The leaf is used to help facilitate the safe excretion of heavy metals and other environmental toxins including lead, arsenic and mercury. Only use drop-by-drop doses and it must be accompanied by an intestinal heavy metal toxin absorption agent, such as chlorella.

Fever As the seeds are a mild diaphoretic it can help to alleviate a fever by allowing the displaced agni, pitta and ama to be released through the skin and the urine.

COMBINATIONS

* Fennel, cumin, cardamom in digestive upsets.
* Gokshura, manjistha and punarnava for urinary problems, especially stones and burning.
* Sariva, pit shirisha for skin allergies, vasa for respiratory allergies.
* Licorice, pippali for coughs.
* Fresh ginger for fever.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

None known. A very safe remedy.

SAFETY

No drug–herb interactions are known.

DOSAGE

1–30g per day or 3–15ml per day of a 1:3 @ 45% tincture.

NOTES

This annual member of the Umbelliferae, like fennel and cumin, is an aromatic carminative.
The flower water is a fantastic antispasmodic.
This is a world-famous remedy whose English name comes from the Latin ‘koros’ meaning ‘bed-bug’, alluding to the smell of the fresh leaves.
Often used with sugar to add to its anti-pitta effect.