Dhaniya

HABITAT

Coriander is native to Mediterranean countries and widely cultivated in tropical region. It is a plant that has no special cultivation requirements growing up without problems a little anywhere in temperate regions. It is annual growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft). It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

INTRODUCTION

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L) is an annual and herbaceous plant, belonging to the Apiaceae family (carrot family). Its name is derived from the Greek Koris, meaning bedbug, because of the unpleasant, fetid, bug-like odor of the green herb and un-ripened fruits.

BENEFITS

Promotes Digestion and Gut Health: Dhania (coriander) leaves are light to digest and help improve digestion which helps reduce flatulence, diarrhoea, bowel spasm due to its anti-diarrheal and carminative properties. It also reduces muscle spasms as well as the frequency and severity of abdominal pain due to its antispasmodic property. Its stomachic, antispasmodic, and carminative activity is due to the presence of essential oil linalool.

Ayurvedic View: The most widely known use is for improving digestion by moderating Agni (digestive fire) without increasing pitta and acidity levels. It is very useful against flatulence and bloating.

Lowers Blood Sugar Levels: Coriander exerts a stimulating effect on the endocrine glands due to which the secretion of insulin is increased from pancreas. This helps to eventually increase the insulin level in the blood. Coriander seeds and oil may help lower blood sugar levels by promoting enzyme activities that help rid sugar from the blood.

Ayurvedic View: Dhania has blood sugar lowering nature due to its Tikta (bitter) property.

Appetite stimulant: Flavonoids in Dhania seeds might be beneficial in stimulating appetite. Linalool in Dhania helps to increase the consumption of food. It also increases the activity of neurotransmitters involved in the process of stimulating appetite.

Improves Heart Health: Coriander may lower heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. As coriander is diuretic, it helps the body flush excess sodium and water from the body that helps regulate s blood pressure.

Ayurvedic View: Dhania has blood pressure lowering nature due to its Mutral (diuretic) property.

Improves Kidney Functioning: Coriander is effective at treating urinary tract problems, connected with burning urination and infections. It is a mild diuretic that does not overburden the kidneys with excessive activity and strengthens the urinary system. Coriander’s diuretic property also makes it useful in treating oedema and high blood pressure levels. It helps in the removal of kidney stones by increasing the production of urine due to its diuretic property.

Protects Brain Health: Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are associated with inflammation which can be safeguarded against with anti-inflammatory properties of coriander. Lab studies observe that coriander extract can protect against nerve-cell damage and improve memory and manage anxiety. Due to antioxidative, cholesterol-lowering and anti-inflammatory activities of coriander, the neurons get less exposed to oxidative stress leading to a better lifespan and memory.

MECHANISM OF ACTION

The contents like dietary fibres and good source of antioxidants of coriander help in producing digestive hormones, which prevent cellular damage caused by free radicals and stimulates a better liver function. It reduces blood sugar by promoting enzyme activity that helps remove sugar from the blood. Coriander seeds are effective for treating urinary tract infections as they improve the filtration rate of kidneys enabling quicker urine generation. It leads to lower water retention in the body and allows it to flush out toxins and microbes. This helps in keeping the urinary system clean.

CLINICAL STUDIES & REFERENCES

Eidi M, Eidi A, Saeidi A, Molanaei S, Sadeghipour A, Bahar M, Bahar K (2012). Effect of coriander seed (Coriandrum sativum L) ethanol extract on insulin release from pancreatic beta cells in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. J. Phytother. Res. 23(3):404-406.
Kansal L, Sharma V, Sharma A, Lodi S, Sharma H (2011). Protective role of Coriandrum sativum (coriander) extracts against lead nitrate induced oxidative stress and tissue damage in the liver and kidney in male mice. Int. J. Appl. Pharmaceut. Technol. 2(3):65-83.
Lal AA, Kumar T, Murthy PB, Pillai KS (2004). Hypolipidemic effect of Coriandrum sativum in triton-induced hyperlipidemic rats. J. Exp. Biol. 42(9):909-912.
Al-Mofleha A, Al haider A, Mossa JS (2006). Protection of gastric mucosal damage by Coriandrum sativium L pretreatment in Wister albino rats. J. Environ. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 22:64-69.
Masoumeh E, Mohammad K, Maryam FA (2005). Coriandrum sativumevaluation of its anxiolytic effect in the elevated plus-maze.
Kansal L, Sharma V, Sharma A, Lodi S, Sharma H (2011). Protective role of Coriandrum sativum (coriander) extracts against lead nitrate induced oxidative stress and tissue damage in the liver and kidney in male mice. Int. J. Appl. Pharmaceut. Technol. 2(3):65-83.