# Plant Monograph: Coriander
**Name of plant:**
Coriander
**Catch phrase (Carmina Gadelica or traditional invocation if available):**
No specific invocation from the *Carmina Gadelica* is recorded for Coriander. Throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East, coriander has long been associated with nourishment, hospitality, and digestive comfort.
**Family:**
Apiaceae (Carrot Family)
**Genus and species:**
*Coriandrum sativum* L.
**Other names:**
Coriander, Cilantro, Chinese Parsley, Dhania, Culantro Seed (not to be confused with *Eryngium foetidum*), Coriander Seed, Arab Parsley, Kustumbari, Coriandre (French), Coireandar (Scottish Gaelic)
**Brief introduction:**
Coriander is an aromatic annual herb native to southern Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. It is one of the oldest known culinary and medicinal herbs, valued for both its fresh leaves (cilantro) and its dried seeds (coriander). The leaves and seeds possess distinct flavors and medicinal properties. Coriander has been used for thousands of years in traditional systems of medicine including Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Persian medicine, and European herbalism, particularly for digestive support.
**Traditional uses:**
* Relief of digestive discomfort
* Reduction of gas and bloating
* Appetite stimulation
* Culinary and medicinal spice
* Traditional cooling remedy for excess heat
**Historical use:**
* Found in ancient Egyptian tombs, including that of Tutankhamun
* Mentioned in ancient Greek and Roman medical writings
* Used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine for digestion and cooling
* Incorporated into medieval European herbal remedies
* Traded widely along historic spice routes
**Parts used and method of use:**
* Seeds (fruits)
* Leaves
Used as:
* Infusion (tea)
* Culinary spice
* Tincture
* Essential oil preparations
**Use in healing (modern herbal practice):**
* Digestive support and carminative action
* Relief of bloating and intestinal gas
* Support for appetite and digestive secretions
* Adjunctive support for blood sugar management
* Antioxidant and antimicrobial support
**Pharmacology and biochemistry:**
* Linalool
* Flavonoids
* Phenolic acids
Mechanisms:
* Volatile oils may reduce intestinal spasms and gas formation
* Linalool exhibits antimicrobial and calming properties
* Polyphenols contribute antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity
Overall profile: Coriander is a gentle digestive herb and culinary spice with a long history of safe use. Its primary medicinal actions involve digestive support, carminative effects, and mild antimicrobial activity. Emerging research suggests additional metabolic and antioxidant benefits.
**Common dosage:**
* Crushed seed infusion: 1–3 g per cup, up to 3 times daily
* Tincture (1:5): 2–5 mL, 2–3 times daily
* Powdered seed: 1–5 g daily
* Essential oil: Used only in appropriately diluted professional preparations
**Safety factors (including side effects):**
* Generally recognized as safe in culinary and medicinal amounts
* Mild gastrointestinal upset may occur in sensitive individuals
* Rare allergic reactions have been reported
* Essential oil should not be consumed undiluted
* Excessive medicinal use has not been extensively studied
**First aid / adverse reaction response:**
* Mild digestive discomfort: reduce dosage or discontinue use
* Skin irritation from essential oil: wash affected area and discontinue use
* Allergic reaction: discontinue use and seek medical advice
* Severe allergic reaction: seek immediate medical attention
**Drug interactions:**
* May theoretically enhance the effects of blood sugar-lowering medications
* Potential additive effects with antihypertensive medications
* Essential oil preparations may influence drug metabolism in theory
* Individuals taking prescription medications should consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before therapeutic use
**Horticultural requirements:**
* USDA / Canadian zone: Zones 2–11 (grown as an annual)
* Soil pH: 6.2–7.8
* Light requirements: Full sun to partial shade
* Moisture: Moderate, evenly moist soil
* Other notes (growth habit, harvest timing, etc.):
* Fast-growing annual herb reaching 30–60 cm in height
* Produces small white or pink flowers followed by aromatic seeds
* Leaves are harvested throughout the growing season; seeds are harvested when mature and dry
* Thrives in gardens, cultivated fields, and herb beds
* Propagated readily from seed and often self-sows
**Sampling of clinical reports / studies:**
* Clinical studies suggest benefits for digestive comfort and possible support for healthy blood glucose levels
* Pharmacological research demonstrates antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and carminative effects
* Phytochemical investigations identify linalool, terpenes, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds as principal constituents
* Ethnobotanical evidence documents thousands of years of medicinal and culinary use across Europe, Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East
* Overall assessment of evidence: Coriander possesses strong ethnobotanical support, excellent safety in traditional use, and a growing body of pharmacological and clinical evidence supporting digestive and metabolic applications.
Educational Use Only: The information presented on this page is provided for educational, historical, and informational purposes only. ArdNemeton na Tuatha and Bhùth Draoi do not provide medical advice. Always consult your physician and pharmacist before using any herb, mushroom, supplement, or botanical product for medicinal purposes. Traditional uses described herein do not constitute medical claims.