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Coriander

Coriander is a plant whose seeds are used as a medicine. Coriander is used for digestive problems including indigestion, loss of appetite, hernia, nausea, abdominal cramps and flatulence. Coriander is also used to treat measles, hemorrhoids, toothache, worms and joint pain, as well as infections caused by bacteria or fungi. Some breastfeeding women use coriander to increase milk flow. In food, coriander is used as a spice and to prevent food poisoning. In industrial production, coriander is used as a flavoring agent in medicine and tobacco, and as a fragrance in cosmetics and soap.

How does coriander work?

Coriander may lower blood sugar levels and help kill some parasites, but there is currently not enough scientific information on how coriander might work in medical applications.

How effective is coriander?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of coriander for stomach upset, loss of appetite, cramps, flatulence, diarrhea, bacterial or fungal infections, measles, hemorrhoids, painful hernia, worms or joint pain. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of coriander in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Coriander is safe and harmless when taken orally in normal food quantities and may be safe and harmless for most people in reasonable medicinal quantities. Coriander may cause some side effects including allergic reactions and increased sensitivity to sunlight. Increased sensitivity to sunlight may increase the risk of sunburn and skin cancer. For this reason, it is recommended to avoid sunlight and use sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors, especially for fair-skinned people. There is a report of serious diarrhea, stomach pain, dark urine, depression, absence of menstruation and dehydration in a woman who took 200 ml of a 10% coriander extract for 7 days. When coriander comes into contact with the skin, it can cause skin irritation and inflammation.

Precautions and warnings:

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Not enough is known about the use of coriander during pregnancy and breastfeeding. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid coriander.

Interactions

There is currently no information on interactions between coriander and medications or supplements.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of coriander depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for coriander. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

  1. Kubo I, Fujita K, Kubo A, et al. Antibacterial activity of coriander volatile compounds against Salmonella choleraesuis. J Agric Food Chem 2004;52:3329-32.
  2. Zabihi E, Abdollahi M. Endocrinotoxicity induced by Coriandrum sativa: a case report. WHO Drug Information. 2001;16:15.