Introduction
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is a small oldest herb that has been used for over 3,000 years, belongs to the Umbelliferae (Apiaceae) family. Coriander leaves and stems have a great value for their culinary and medicinal uses. The herbs and seeds of coriander are being excessively used in traditional culinary owing to its pleasant color and flavor. Coriander health benefits are good for kidneys, skin and boost brain health.
Uses of Coriander
Coriander young leaves are useful to make sauces, fish and meat products, pickles, beverages, and chutneys. The green leaves are consumed as fresh herbs, in salads, and as garnishes due to their attractive green color and aroma. Apart from the appealing aroma, seeds and leaves are also known for their therapeutic potential in Ayurvedic medicine for ages.
Common name
Dhanya, Arab parsley, Chinese parsley, Cilantro, Geshniz (in Iran)
Distribution
Coriander is native to Italy and is widely cultivated in Central and Eastern Europe, Mediterranean regions (Morocco, Malta, Egypt), and Asia (China, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh) (1).
Nutritional value of coriander
According to the USDA National Nutrient database, coriander fresh leaves contain moisture, protein, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin B2, niacin, vitamin C, vitamin A, and other components as follows (2).
| Compound | Amounts per 100 g. |
| Water | 92.21 g |
| Energy | 23 Kcal |
| Protein | 2.13 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.52 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 3.67 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.8 g |
| Sugar | 0.87 g |
| Calcium | 67 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.77 mg |
| Magnesium | 26 mg |
| Phosphorus | 48 mg |
| Potassium | 521 mg |
| Sodium | 46 mg |
| Zinc | 0.5 mg |
| Copper | 0.22 mg |
| Manganese | 0.42 mg |
| Selenium | 0.9 µg |
| Vitamin C | 27 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.07 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.16 mg |
| Niacin | 1.11 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.57mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.15 mg |
| Folate, DFE | 62 µg |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 337 µg |
| Vitamin A | 6748 IU |
| Vitamin E | 2.5 mg |
| Vitamin K | 310 µg |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.014 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.27 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.04 g |
Health benefits of coriander
Different parts of the coriander plant have been reported for multiple health benefits
1. Coriander helps in keeping skin healthy
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes photodamage such as increase wrinkles, roughness, a sallow appearance, mottled hyperpigmentation, and telangiectasias to the skin. Coriander leaf extract contains linolenic acid which increases collagen synthesis by scavenging UVB-induced harmful radicals, prevents the degradation of collagen and elastin fiber thus protect skin against these damages (3).
2. Antioxidant and Anticancer properties of coriander
Coriander root contains a high amount of antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, carotenoids, polyphenol, and chlorophyll contents which is well-known for its antioxidant and anticancer properties (4).
Thus daily intake of coriander root or coriander juice prevents DNA damage, breast cancer cell migration (inhibition of metastasis). It prevents oxidative deterioration of food and used in combination with conventional drugs to enhance the treatment of diseases such as prostate cancer (5).
3. Increase appetite due to linalool
Linalool found in coriander reduces the plasma glycerol level and increases food intake and body weight. Therefore coriander had positive effects on appetite (6).
4. Keep brain healthy
Daily intake of coriander prevents dark neuron and apoptotic cell production thus protect the brain from oxidative stress and neuronal damage due to seizure. Therefore, coriander leaf may use as a natural anticonvulsant drug for the treatment of epileptic seizures (7).
5. Antimicrobial properties of Coriander oil
The coriander oil is effective against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhimurium, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Acinetobacter baumannii, Staphylococcus aureus strains (8). Moreover, coriander leaves essential oil also helps to treat oral candidiasis (oral cavity infection) which is caused by Candida species (9).
6. Keep kidney healthy
Intake of coriander leaf extract decreases the concentration of heavy metals such as iron, arsenic, and cadmium in the kidney thus protect the kidney from heavy metals-induced oxidative stress (10).
7. Treat inflammatory bowel disorders
Intake of coriander extract and its essential oil is effective to reduce inflammation in the colon thus helpful for the treatment of colitis and management of inflammatory bowel disorders in humans (11).
8. Good in diabetes and cholesterol level
Intake of coriander leaves in combination with fenugreek seed show beneficial effect on the reduction in blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), VLDL levels, urea, creatinine, and increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels and body weight (12).
9. Sedative and Analgesic properties
Coriander contains linalool as well as polyphenols including rutin, caffeic acid, and gallic acid provides relief from pain and increases the sleeping time without major neurotoxic effects (13, 14).
10. Treat liver or kidney injury
Coriander leaves show a wonderful effect on the treatment of liver or kidney injury caused by different chemicals (15).
Side effect of coriander
1. Risk of coriander-flavored Beer anaphylaxis
Intakes of coriander-flavored beer cause anaphylaxis in young women which may be due to the presence of Bet v 1- and profilin-related allergens (16). These molecules may be responsible for Type I allergy thus precaution should be needed before consumption (17).
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