Coriander / Dhania

 

                                Dhania /  Coriander /   Coriandrum sativum

         Coriander / Dhania is annual evergreen herb with specific aroma , which plant growing up to 50 cm tall . This leaves are variable in shape , dried seeds of this plant are generally used in kitchen and medicine . Its root are pale brown color with tape root .  Stem are sympodial and have monochasial branches . Every branch of the coriander plant shows effects of inflorescence  .This plant is a kind of diversifolious .The flowering starts with first umbel , in the every umbellet , the peripheral flower is the first  one which proliferates very first . Coriander is widely distributed in Italy , Central, Eastern Europe and maximum  cultivated in Bangladesh ,China and India . Coriander seed and leaves are part of Indian culinary since ages and it is used for therapeutic purpose as well . Ayurvedic point of view leaf and seed of Dhania are Tridosh  nashak  , which means it is good for all body types . Generally fresh leaves of coriander , called Cilantro , are used mainly for topping and garnishing purpose . The bitter and sweet taste of dhania provides a characteristic flavor to food and many dishes . Dhania is full of nutritional value and contain many antioxidant properties . Coriander also acts as a blessing for treatment and ailment of many disease and health problems .

Others names of Dhania / Coriander-  ( Family –Apiaceae ) –

                 Sanskrit ( Dhanyaka , Dhanika ) , Hindi ( Dhania ) , English ( Coriander , Collender , Chinese parsley , Cilantro herbs ) , Bengali ( Dhane ) , Marathi ( Dhaue , Kothimbir ) , Gujrati ( Dhana ) , Urdu ( Kishneez ) ,  Telgu ( Dhaniyalu ) , Tamil ( Kottamalli ) , Botanical name ( Coriandrum  sativum ) .

Properties of Dhania / Coriander

1.     Ayurvedic properties - Dhania / Coriander have some Ayurvedic properties are ; Rasa / Taste – Tikta/Bitter , Katu /Pungent , Madhur /Sweet and Kashaya ; Guna / Quality – Laghu /Light ; Potency/Virya  – Ushna / Hot ; Vipaka / Post digestive Taste – Madhuar / Sweet taste ; Effect on dosha –Tridoshara  /  Balance all three  ( Vata , Pitta and Kapha dosha ) . Coriander leaves has a citrusy or soapy or stink bug scent with pungent smell and the taste that lends a fresh aroma to dishes.

2.     Other properties - According to Charak Samhita categorized Coriander as a , that which relieves excessive thirst and also relieves excessive cod herb . It also actively removes the Ama toxins from our body . In Ayurveda , Dhania Seeds  are  Diuretic , Anti-pyretic , Deepan /Improve Digestion ,  Improve taste , Useful in Absorption .It also used to may be help to cure mouth sores and ulcer.

3.     Prevent and treat Thyroid problem - Dhania seed may be good for Thyroid , due to high Mineral , Vitamin content and have  Vata , kapha balancing properties . It helps to regulate the Thyroid hormone. Drinking Dhania seed water early in the morning on an empty stomach, minimize the symptoms of Thyroid .  

4.     Prevent Throat infection and Cough - Throat disorders like irritation or cough generally occur due to an imbalance of kapha dosha , which result in the formation and accumulation of mucus in the throat . This create problem in respiratory track . Dhania seeds have hot and kapha balancing properties which melts the accumulated mucus and help to spit it out .            

5.     Reduce blood pressure and improve healthy heart -Anti-oxidants of coriander seeds promote heart health by lowering blood cholesterol levels and minimize blood pressure. The fiber in the seeds boost lipid metabolism. Drinking Dhania water early in the morning also helps to manage Hypertension, Headache. The presence of anti-coagulant and anti-fibrinolytic properties in Dhania seed prevent blockage and formation of clots in the arteries causing heart. Being a natural diuretic, it helps flush out sodium from the body and thus reduce elevated blood pressure and minimize urea level in blood. Regular intake of the seed also reduces the bad cholesterol and effectively increase good cholesterol. The rich source of flavonoids reduce the formation of debris within the arteries and blood vessels, thus preventing hardening of blood vessels. Coriander leaves are rich source of antioxidants with excellent source of dietary fiber , which play important role in reducing LDL cholesterol .

6.     Prevent and treat diabetes - Coriander seeds have hypoglycemic properties and can help reducing the  blood sugar levels of the body . They achieve this by improving the function of the pancreatic beta cells (Pancreatic  cells that release insulin and regulate blood sugar levels ) . Presence of volatile oil and essential nutrients strongly inhibits the release of sugar into the blood and increase insulin level . Thus , it converts starch into energy and reduce the symptoms of diabetes such as frequent urination , fatigue etc. It enhance secretion of insulin from pancreas and exhibits insulin like activities at cellular level . Some enzymes helps to separate excess sugar from the blood and excrete it in urine, in this process coriander seed may promote the activity of this type of enzyme .

7.     Improve digestion  - Coriander seeds generally used as digestive stimulants and Promote Digestion. The seeds may stimulate the liver to produce and secrete concentrated bile acid . These acid play an important role in digestion and absorption . Seeds also enhance digestion by improving the activity of trypsin , pancreatic enzyme that break down protein in the small intestine . It helps to manage appetite by improving our digestion due to  hot , appetizer and  digestive  properties .It contain rich amount of flavonoids , which help in increasing the appetite .

8.     Improve liver function and constipation - Coriander acts like anti-spasmodic drug which may be helps to relax contracted digestive muscles . Coriander seed contain antioxidant properties as well as dietary fiber which support healthy function of liver and also facilitate bowel movements. It also improve liver function damages caused by excessive alcohol consumption . Its leaves being rich in antioxidants , acts as a hepatoprotective by increasing the activity of certain enzymes as catalase , glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase . These enzyme helps in removing toxins from the body , this in turn , improve the functioning of liver capacity .

9.     Prevent skin disease and improving bone mass structure -  - Coriander seeds may be effectively cure skin problem such as itchy skin, eczema, inflammation and rashes as it possess antiseptic properties. Skin problem can solve by drinking dhania juice .It also relieves problems such as cellular damage , skin damage caused by UV B radiation and premature skin aging .

Vitamin K is higher in Coriander , which play a strong role in bone function and reduces the impact of osteoporotic disease by promoting beneficial effects in bone mass structure .

10.  Prevent rheumatic pain and Improving immune system Dhania seed is a very useful as anti-rheumatics, due to the presence of Cineol as one of its many essential oil . Rheumatism and arthritis cause swelling which can minimize using the essential oil obtained from dhania seed.

Coriander contain antimicrobial compounds that help fight various infection and effectively protect the body’s immune system . Antioxidants in coriander leaves like Quercetin and terpinene are responsible for strengthen the immune system . They fight against cell damage , increase the iron absorption level in the body and give a boost to our immune system .

11.  Improve kidney function -  Dhania seed also work well on swelling due to kidney problem and anemia . Swelling is due to water retention and Coriander seed may help by inducing urination and hence the release of excess accumulated water . . It help to increase Volume of Urine .It may also help  to minimize urea level in blood and remove toxin from our body . It is natural cleansing agent to help flush out toxic agents and heavy metal in our body .

12.  Improving brain function and nerves  – Alzheimer’s , and Parkinson’s are neurological disease that can affect brain cells due to inflammation . Coriander have anti-inflammatory properties , which protect the body from neurological disease and act within the body to prevent inflammation . Antioxidant properties of Coriander may help to healed the damage of the nerve cells . Coriander may helps in boosting is by blocking the cholinesterase enzyme , which are present in central nervous system , is responsible for the breakdown of acetylcholine , a neurotransmitter ( helps in conducting nerve signals ) .Coriander also act the lower the oxidative stress level in the brain .

13.  Prevent UTI infection – UTI is mainly caused due to infection by pathogens , they cause burning sensation during urine . Coriander is generally used to treat UTI tract infection , bladder infection due to  its  antimicrobial and diuretic properties . Coriander cools , alkalises the urine , and flushes through infection effectively .

14.  Coriander leaves  - Leaves contain bioactive compound polyphenolic flavonoids such as Apigenin , Quercetin , Rhamnetin , and Kaempferol , which acts as powerful antioxidants, which are helps in regularizing cholesterol levels in the body . Excess sodium may increase blood pressure ,coriander leaves extract acts as a diuretic and helps in expelling excess water and sodium from body which can effectively lower blood pressure . Leaves have a property of managing condition like anxiety , fatigue , stress , headache , dizziness etc. . Lef juice treat all skin condition including oily skin , pigment deficiency , acne , dry skin . Leaves act as a diuretic and help in the cleaning process of the cleaning by increasing the urination amount and removing toxic waste from the body .

Chemical properties of Dhania –

1.     Dhania leaf oil contain near about 42 compound , In which mostly are aromatic acids . It contain 2-Decenoic acid ( 30.5%) ,E-11-Tetradecenoic acid(13.2%) , Carpic acid ( 12.5%) , Undecyl alcohol ( 6.5%) , Undecanoic acid ( 7.1%) as the major constituents .

2.     Decanoic acid is a straight chain fatty acid , which has a role as an anti-bacterial agent , anti-inflammatory agent , a human metabolite and volatile oil component .                     Carpic acid is medium chain fatty acid with potent anti-bacterial , anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory  properties . Udecanoic acid is a carboxylic acid , which is used as anti-fungal agent and to treat ring worm and athlete’s foot .

3.     The chief constituents of Coriander is volatile oil ( 0.15 to 1.00 ) .  The main volatile compound in Dhania seed oil contains near about 50 compound where the major are Linalool ( 37.5% to 50 % ) , Geranyl acetate (17.5% ) and Y-terpinene  (14.2%) , Camphor ( it has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities ), Limonene (  most common Terpenes which shows to possess anti-inflammatory , anti-oxidant and anti-stress properties  ) , Geraniol ( have anti-microbial , anti-ulcer activities ) etc. Coriander essential oil is a stimulant of gastric secretion and it has benefits as a carminative , eupeptic , estrogen ,and spasmolytic .It also has antibacterial and antifungal effects .

4.     Linalool is rich essential oil are known to exhibit various biological activities such as antimicrobial , anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties .Linalool  has beneficial effects on the central nervous system .The seeds may be help in the prevention of neurological disease like Alzheimer’s .Linalool may be also help the reduce anxiety in humans . It means Linalool enhance the neurotransmitter’s activity , increase food consumption and increase appetite .

5.     Geranyl acetate have anti-microbial , anti-fungal , and anti-inflammatory activities .      y- Terpinene is volatile essential oil , which shows anti-microbial against various human pathogens . It also have anti-oxidant , anti-proliferative activities .  

6.     The fatty acid ( Linoleic acid , Oleic acid , and Palmitic acids ) and essential oils(Linalool , Camphene and  Terpene ) are responsible for the digestive and carminative properties of coriander seeds . Seeds possess Linoleic acid which possess pain relieving properties that helps to lower irritation .

7.     Linoleic acid may be support heart health and it minimize total and LDL cholesterol . It may be improves insulin sensitivity . Oleic acid is a fatty acid , may be improve heart condition by lowering cholesterol and reducing inflammation . Palmitic acid is an essential component of cell membrane , promoting secretion  and transport lipids . 

8.     Nutritional value of Coriander seeds as per 100 g quantity near about are ;   Protein  , Total lipid /Fat , Carbohydrates  ( Rich Dietary fiber ,sugar ) , Vitamins ( vitamin A , C , E , K ,Thiamine B1  , Riboflavin B2 , Niacin B3 , Folate B9 , Pantothenic acid B5 and vitamin B6  )  , Carotene alpha and beta , Choline , Lycopene ,Minerals ( Calcium , Iron, copper,  Magnesium ,Potassium , Sodium ,Manganese , Zinc ) , Lipid , Fatty acid total saturated ,total mono unsaturated, and total polyunsaturated . Coriander is a good source of minerals like potassium , iron , manganese  , magnesium .

9.     Coriander fresh leaves main contain as per 100 gm near about are  ; moisture 80 g ; proteins 3.2 g  ; carbohydrates 6.2 g , calcium ,phosphorus ,iron , vitamin B2 , Niacin etc . Coriander seeds have more protein and crude fat in comparison to leaves .

Side Effect of Dhania –

1.     Dhania may some times cause allergic reaction , like asthma , nasal swelling , hives etc. These reaction appear in mostly spice factory workers .

2.     Consuming excess amount of dhania seed can lead to many side effect like headaches , nausea , diarrhea , vomiting , bloating , gas etc.  It is better to take dhania in appropriate quantity .

Disclaimer –

            This content about Coriander is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be constructed as medical advice. Please when use Coriander as medicine , consult doctor before use Coriander  .