Coriander has been used for centuries as a natural healing aid ; it is said that coriander seeds were found in the Egyptian tomb of King Rameses II. In Ayurvedic medicine, coriander is used as a digestive aid; in Chinese medicine, the whole herb of coriander is used to treat problems such as nausea, toothache, measles and piles.
Historical use of Coriander by the Greeks
The Ancient Greeks were said to use coriander to assist in weight loss. Ancient Greek physicians also reputedly used coriander in healing and in the East, coriander has been used for its medicinal properties in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine.
 | General Description Coriander is the seed of Coriandrum sativum, a plant in the parsley family. The seed is globular and almost round, brown to yellow red, and 1/5 inch in diameter with alternating straight and wavy ridges. |
| Geographical Sources Coriander comes from Morocco and Romania. | |
| Traditional Ethnic Uses Coriander is used in Indian curries, gin, American cigarettes, and sausages. | |
| Taste and Aroma Coriander has a mild, distinctive taste similar to a blend of lemon and sage. |
The healing benefits of Coriander
Coriander leaves (also known as cilantro): Upper and lower side.
The leaves of coriander can be used to make a tea mixed with other herbs such as fennel, caraway and aniseed. The tea of coriander helps aid flatulence and indigestion; breastfeeding mothers drink coriander tea to ease colic in their babies. Coriander leaves and seeds are used extensively in cooking as both a spice and garnish, particularly in Middle Eastern cookery in curries. Coriander is often added as a flavoring ingredient in pharmaceutical digestive remedies, in perfume and to flavor liqueurs such as Chartreuse and Benedictine.
Coriander in Aromatherapy
Coriander produces an essential oil which is used in aromatherapy for healing:
of digestive problems, including flatulence, indigestion and constipation:
to eliminate toxins
to stimulate circulation
to ease migraine
to treat rheumatism and arthritis.
Coriander essential oil is analgesic, stimulant, anti-bacterial, anti-infectious and carminative; it mixes well with essential oils such as fennel, grapefruit, mandarin, ginger and other spice and citrus oils. However, if you are unfamiliar in the use of essential oils, professional advice should be taken as in large amounts, coriander essential oil can be sedating.
The natural health benefits of coriander
Coriander is a great aid to natural health; it can be used as an essential oil, in natural medicine practices, such as Chinese and Ayurvedic Medicine, and drunk as a medicinal tea. Coriander is also used as a culinary herb and for flavoring properties in modern remedies used to treat digestive ailments. Like many other herbs, Coriander is a useful addition to any natural health regime.
