Medicinal Information of Coriander / Green Coriander
Kothambir / Green Dhaniya – Ayurvedic Medicinal Information
English Name: Coriander
Marathi Name: Kothimbir, Dhane
Hindi Name: Hara Dhaniya, Dhaniya
Sanskrit Name: Dhanyaka / Kustumbari
(If leaves: Coriander Leaves / Cilantro
If seeds: Coriander Seeds)
Scientific / Botanical Name: Coriandrum sativum
🌱 Height of the Plant
• The coriander plant generally grows to a height of about 30 to 70 cm.
• With suitable climate and proper care, the plant becomes denser and more vigorous.
🍃 Shape of Leaves
• Lower leaves are broad, roundish and lobed (deeply cut).
• Upper leaves are thin, elongated and feather-like in appearance.
• Leaves are green in color and aromatic.
🌼 Flowers
• Flowers are small, white or pale pink in color.
• The inflorescence is of the umbel type.
• Flowering generally occurs within 45–60 days.
🌰 Fruits
• Fruits are small, round and aromatic.
• Initially green, they turn yellowish to brown on maturity.
• After complete drying, the fruits are known as coriander seeds.
• Each fruit generally contains two seeds.
• Coriander is used in almost all food preparations during cooking. It is a spice crop and is cultivated throughout India.
🌿 Properties (Ayurvedic)
• Taste: bitter, sweet and pungent (tikta).
• Nature: hot in potency, light and easy to digest.
• Due to its unctuous quality, it has moisture and softness.
• It is tridosha-balancing and effective in disorders of Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
• Green coriander (kothambir) is highly beneficial in tridoshic disorders.
🌿 Medicinal Importance of Coriander
• In urinary stones (kidney or bladder stones):
Crush coriander leaves or seeds or prepare powder, add water and boil for 5–6 minutes. Cool it and drink in the morning on an empty stomach and at night before sleeping. Relief is obtained.
• For gas and digestive problems:
Boil two cups of water with cumin seeds, coriander, tea powder, fennel seeds, ginger and a little sugar like tea. Drinking this improves digestion and relieves gas.
It is also useful in indigestion, loss of appetite, excessive thirst, acidity, nausea, vomiting, sticky stools, piles, abdominal pain and intestinal worms.
• In increased pitta (body heat):
Excess body heat causes burning sensation, skin rashes, burning or pain during urination. Eating coriander or green coriander is beneficial. It helps expel excess heat from the body through urine.
• For intestinal worms in children:
One teaspoon of coriander powder mixed with honey and given to lick reduces worm infestation.
• For pitta disorders in adults:
Taking ¼ teaspoon coriander powder with equal quantity of rock sugar along with water is beneficial.
• In cough, breathlessness and kapha disorders:
Boil ½ teaspoon coriander powder, ½ teaspoon licorice (Yashtimadhu) powder in one cup of water until reduced to half. Cool and drink in small sips for relief.
• When body heat increases due to illness or medicines:
Boil one tablespoon coriander powder in water, cool it, keep overnight in a glass and drink in the morning. It reduces body heat.
• In nose bleeding (epistaxis):
Grind fresh coriander with 20 grams of water and camphor. Strain the juice. Put 2–2 drops in the nostrils and apply on the forehead. Nose bleeding stops and relief is obtained.
• For burning sensation in the eyes:
Take fennel seeds, sugar and coriander in equal quantity, grind into powder. Consuming 6 grams daily after meals reduces burning in eyes, hands and feet.
• For insulin and blood sugar regulation:
Coriander is useful in controlling insulin levels. Including coriander leaves or seeds regularly in the diet is beneficial. It is also useful in blood heat and other blood-related disorders.
• For immunity:
Due to high content of Vitamin A and Vitamin C, it enhances immunity.
• In diarrhea during winter:
Including coriander in food provides relief to the stomach.
• For reducing cholesterol:
Coriander helps lower cholesterol and strengthens the heart and blood vessels.
• In menstrual problems in women:
Mixing 6 grams coriander powder and rock sugar in half a liter of water and drinking it provides relief and reduces pain.
• For detoxification and reducing body heat:
Rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium and magnesium, coriander water or green coriander is beneficial for body purification, detoxification and reducing excess heat.
• In cough, excessive thirst, fever, eye pain and vomiting:
Taking ½ teaspoon coriander powder with ½ teaspoon rock sugar helps purify the body, increases appetite and calms mental restlessness.
Thus, coriander (dhaniya) is a highly useful Ayurvedic medicinal plant.
Kothambir means dhaniya – a valuable medicinal herb in Ayurveda.
