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As astaple in kitchens worldwide and a cornerstone of ancient healing practices, Coriander as an herb, offers a myriad of medicinal benefits. In Ayurvedic tradition, a few herbs capture the essence of culinary delight and therapeutic wonders quite like Coriander. Known by its botanical name ‘Coriandrum sativum,’ Coriander has woven itself into the ever-evolving map of human civilization, gracing kitchen pantries and apothecary shelves alike for millennia. Its existence traces back to the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece, and beyond, where it was prized for its one-of-a-kind flavor and miraculous benefits!
From aiding digestion and detoxification to supporting cardiovascular health and soothing inflammation, coriander’s therapeutic effects are as diverse as they are profound. Read along as we uncover the varied aspects of coriander, as has been written in the ancient texts of Ayurveda, its many uses, and the innumerable advantages it provides simply by being in your diet! Happy reading!
Name of Coriander in different languages
English – Coriander
Hindi – Dhania, Dhanya
Sanskrit – Dhanyaka, Dhanika, Dhania Vitunnaka
Coriander as Described in Ancient Ayurvedic Texts (Shloka verses)
नागरधन्वयवासकमुस्तपर्पटकचन्दनकिराततिक्तकगुडूचीह्रीवेरथान्यकपटोलानीति दशेमानि तृष्णानिग्रहणानि भवन्ति। ॥२९॥
Charak Samhita – Chikitsa Sthana – page 83 – shloka 4/29धान्यकं धान्यका धान्या धानी धानेयकं तथा। कुस्तुम्बरुश्ञ्चालका च च्छत्रधान्यं वितुन्नकम् ॥६३॥
Dhanvantari Nighantu – Shatapushpadi Varga – page 81 – shloka no. 63आर्द्रा कुस्तुम्बुरुः कुर्यात् स्वादुसौगन्ध्यहृद्यताम्। सा शुष्का मधुरा पाके स्निग्धा तृड्दाहनाशिनी ॥६४॥
धान्यकं कासतृट्छर्दिज्वरहृच्चक्षुषो हितम्। कषायतिक्तमधुरं हृद्यं दीपनपाचनम् ॥६५॥
Dhanvantari Nighantu – Shatapushpadi Varga – page 81 – shloka no. 64-65धान्यकं धानकं धान्यं धाना ध। नेयकं तथा। कुनटी घेनुका छत्रा कुस्तुम्बुरु वितुश्चकम् ॥८६॥
धान्यकं तुवरं स्निग्धमवृष्यं मूत्रलं लघु। तिक्तं कटूष्णवीर्यञ्च दीपनं पाचनं स्मृतम् ॥८७॥
ज्वरघ्नं रोचकं ग्राहि स्वादुपाकि त्रिदोषनुत्। तृष्णा दाहव मिश्वासकासकाश्यं क्रिमि प्रणुत् ॥८८॥
आर्द्रन्तु तद्गुणं स्वादु विशेषात्पित्तनाशनम् ॥८८॥
Bhavprakash Nighantu- Haritakyadi Vargha – shloka no. 86-88
Appearance of Coriander:
Dhanyaka is an herbaceous plant belonging to the family Apiaceae that grows yearly. All its parts are edible, but the most widely used are the leaves and seeds. It is a small herb with oval and elongated aerial leaves. The petals are purple and white in color. The seed is 2-4 mm in diameter, uniformly brownish-yellow or brown, glabrous, sometimes crowned by the remains of sepals and styles, primary ridges.
Read more: About The Uses and Benefits of Coriander (Cilantro) and How Can You Grow It At Home!
Ayurvedic Properties of Coriander
In Ayurveda, coriander provides a harmonious blend of tastes and qualities, reflecting its subtle approach to healing. With its sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes, coriander harmonizes the doshas, making it suitable for all body types and constitutions.
Rasa (Taste) – Dhanyaka leaves have a madhur (Sweet) taste, but the dried seeds have a kashaya (astringent) and tikta (bitter) taste.
Guna (Qualities) – It possesses laghu (light) and snigdha (unctuous) qualities.
Vipaka (Taste developed through digestion) – After digestion dhanyaka has a madhur (sweet) vipaka i.e. post-digestion taste is sweet.
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Main Actions of Coriander as per Ayurveda
Deepana and Pacana (Digestive)
Owing to its ushna (hot) virya, laghu (light), and snigdha (unctuous) qualities and kashaya (astringent) and tikta (bitter) taste, dhanyaka helps in increasing the digestion strength of the GIT1.
Mutrala (Diuretic)
Dhanyaka is responsible for increasing urine volume, hence it is considered a mutrala or diuretic2.
Jwaraghna (Anti-pyretic)
Coriander is a cooling type of herb; to elaborate the panchanga (includes all parts of the plant) of coriander is typically cooling in nature. Thereby, it can be used as an antipyretic, in cases of high fever3.
Rochaka (Improves taste)
Commonly used as an essential ingredient in food preparations, coriander helps in adding taste to dishes. It is said to be ruchikaraka (helps in boosting the appetite), which makes it useful in anorexia4.
Grahi (Absorbent)
Coriander is useful for people suffering from malabsorption syndrome and diarrhea5. Grahi are the substances that help to absorb liquid from the stool and increase the appetite, thereby helping in digestion.
Trushnahara (Decreasing thirst)
Due to the cooling properties of its leaves, dhanyaka can be consumed in cases of excessive thirst6.
Dahahara (Reducing burning sensation)
Dhanyaka has significant results in reducing the burning sensation of the body7.
Chardighna (Anti-emetic)
Dhanyaka in laghu (light) in nature. Hence, it can be used in suppressing vomiting urges and nausea8.
Shwasahara (Breathing disorders)
According to research, coriander has proven to be useful in cases of asthma, wheezing, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and breathing difficulty9.
Krimighna (Vermicidal)
When children suffer from worm infestations, coriander can be used as a krimighna (killing worms) 10.
Hridya (Supports cardiac function)
Dhanyaka acts like a cardiac tonic and can be used as hridya (for increasing the heart’s physiological function) 11.
Daurgandhya Nashana (Helps in getting rid of the foul smell of the body)
Coriander plays a crucial role in removing the foul odor from the body12.
Besides this, Coriandrum sativum also acts as an anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, sedative, and hepatoprotective agent.13 Deeply rooted in Ayurvedic wisdom, it offers a holistic approach to wellness that encompasses body, mind, and spirit.
What Parts of Coriander Can Be Used?
Coriander as a whole plant can be used when it comes to reaping its benefits. However, coriander seeds, fruit, and leaves are the ones that are most widely used.
The fruits of coriander are used as aromatic, carminative, stimulant, tonic, diuretic, appetite enhancer, and refrigerant. On the other hand, the leaves of dhanyaka are pungent and aromatic in nature.
Read more: Ayurvedic Diet For A Healthy Gut
What Are the Medicinal Uses of Coriander?
Atisara (Diarrhea)
Pain, constipation, and indigestion can be treated by preparing a kwath (decoction) of Dhanyaka, sunthi, balalka, and bilva in equal quantities. These alleviate ama (toxin), thereby acting as digestive agents. (Vrinda Madhava. 3/21)
Dhanyaka paste mixed with ghee that is processed with four times the water can be given in cases of diarrhea. The above preparation acts like a significant appetizer (Bangasena. Atisara 91)
When children suffer with diarrhea, a churna (powder) of ativisa (wolf’s bane), karkatasrngi (crab’s claws), gajapippali (long pepper) with dhanyaka can be given with madhu (honey) as anupana (Bang sena. Balrog/46)
Arsha (Piles)
Water that is processed with dhanyaka, kantakari (wild eggplant), and sunthi (ginger) is helpful in the treatment of piles. (Charaka Samhita. Chi 14/129, Ashtanga Hridya. Chi 8/86)
Jvara (Fever)
In prathakaal (morning), hima (cold infusion) (A recipe of hima is mentioned in the article) of dhanyaka and sugar is consumed to reduce severe daha (burning sensation). (Bhava Prakasha. Chi 1/356, Vrinda Madhava. 1/101)
Apachan (Indigestion)
Indigestion caused due to ama (toxin) can be alleviated by processing water with dhanyaka and sunthi. (Vrinda Madhava. 6/21)
Chardi (Vomiting)
In case of vomiting, dhanyaka should be pounded and mixed with salt for consumption. (Sushruta Samhita. U. 49/30)
Coriander’s Effects on the Three Doshas
Dhanyaka is tridosha shamak, which means that it enables the reduction and balancing of all three doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Vata – Dhanyaka, due to its grounding properties, is beneficial in alleviating excess Vata thereby helping in aiding digestive issues.
Pitta – Dhanyaka, due to its cooling effect, is beneficial in reducing inflammation and alleviating Pitta.
Kapha – Dhanyaka has a balancing effect on Kapha dosha since it possesses drying properties. It helps in alleviating excessive Kapha and in turn, helps in aiding sluggishness and congestion.
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Precautions and Side Effects of Coriander
Pregnant and breastfeeding women – There are not many conclusive studies suggesting the effects of dhanyaka on pregnant and breastfeeding women therefore it is advised to consume under the guidance of a medical professional.
Allergic reaction – Individuals who are allergic to dhanyaka should avoid its consumption.
If not consumed with caution, coriander usage may also lead to itching, hives, and mouth, face, and throat swelling.
Who Can Benefit from Coriander Consumption?
- Individuals wanting help with diarrhea.
- Individuals suffering from piles.
- Individuals with digestive disorders.
- Individuals with fever.
How to Consume Coriander?
Different parts of the dhanyaka can be consumed in different manners, the leaves can be used to garnish a plethora of dishes. The seeds can be dried and turned into a powder then used to enhance the flavor profile.
Hima (Cold infusion)
Ingredients:
- 20gms of dhanyaka (coriander) seeds.
- 120 ml of water
Directions:
- Make a powder of the dhanyaka seeds.
- Add it to 120 ml of water (6 times the seeds)
- Soak it overnight.
- Next morning, mix and strain the seeds.
- Serve and enjoy the refreshing drink!
In conclusion, coriander stands as a testament to the beauty and efficacy of nature’s gifts in promoting holistic well-being. Who would have thought that the garnishing hero could carry so much relevance when it comes to enhancing health and wellness?
Coriander’s gentle yet potent nature stands as a reminder for you of the profound wisdom found in the simplest of herbs, inviting you to embrace its gifts for a healthier, happier life.
Read more: Uses and Benefits of Coriander, Coriander Vs Cilantro, How To Grow Cilantro
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