Coriander
SanskritDhanyakaBotanicalCoriandrum sativumAlso calledDhania, Cilantro (the fresh leaf), Chinese parsley
A sweet, citrusy seed that Ayurveda leans on to settle digestion without adding heat. A favorite for pitta and summer cooking.
Crack a coriander seed between your teeth and you get a little burst of lemon and flowers. It is one of the softest spices in the Ayurvedic pantry, which is exactly why it is so useful.
Where many digestive spices bring fire, coriander brings calm. It is one third of CCF tea, and the fresh leaf we call cilantro is a classic topping for spicy dishes, a little green antidote to all that heat.
Ayurvedic Properties
- RasaTastes
- ViryaHeating or cooling
- Cooling
- VipakaPost-digestive effect
- Sweet
- AgniEffect on digestion
- Gently supports agni
Cooling yet digestive, it supports agni without adding heat.
- GunaQualities
- TridoshaEffect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha
- Vata: decreases
- Pitta: decreases
- Kapha: decreases
- ↓decreases (calms that dosha)
- ↑increases (can aggravate it)
- =neutral or balancing
- ?not known
- V Vata · P Pitta · K Kapha
Coriander is considered tridoshic and is especially kind to pitta. It helps digestion along without the burning edge of hotter spices.
Traditional Uses
- Traditionally used to support comfortable digestion without adding heat.
- Traditionally used to support a cool, settled belly in summer and pitta season.
- Traditionally used to support healthy flow of the urinary system.
- Traditionally used to support appetite and the absorption of nourishment.
How People Use It
- WaterSoak 1 teaspoon of lightly crushed seeds in a cup of room temperature water overnight, strain, and sip in the morning on hot days.
- TeaSimmer 1 teaspoon of seeds in 2 cups of water for 5 to 10 minutes, or blend with cumin and fennel for CCF tea.
- FoodToast and grind the seeds for dal, soups and roasted vegetables, and use fresh cilantro leaves generously as a garnish.
Overnight Coriander Seed Water
A soft, cooling sip for summer mornings.
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 1 cup room temperature water
- A few fresh mint leaves (optional)
- Lightly crush the coriander seeds with a mortar and pestle or the back of a spoon.
- Place them in a glass with the water and mint. Cover and leave overnight.
- In the morning, strain and sip slowly before breakfast.
- Enjoy it at room temperature rather than ice cold, which Ayurveda says dampens digestion.
Pairs Well With
Cautions
- Coriander in normal cooking amounts is generally considered safe. These cautions apply to larger, concentrated amounts such as extracts or supplements.
- Safety research on concentrated coriander is limited, and major U.S. health references (NCCIH, Memorial Sloan Kettering) do not have a coriander monograph.
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding, keep to food amounts unless your healthcare provider advises otherwise.
- Coriander belongs to the carrot and celery family. If you are allergic to those plants, start carefully or avoid it.
- If you take medication or have a health condition, check with your doctor before using coriander in more than culinary amounts.
- Please consult a qualified practitioner or your doctor before using coriander therapeutically.
In Our Shop
Organic Coriander Seed, from $3.75. Weighed and packed by hand at our Rockville Centre studio.
Shop Coriander →- Organic CCF Tea (Cumin, Coriander, Fennel) from $5.75
From the Journal
Sources and Further Reading
This page shares how herbs are traditionally used in Ayurveda and other herbal traditions. It is for general education only and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and herbs are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please talk with your doctor or a qualified practitioner before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition.