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Coriander

Coriandrum sativum

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is a plant drug, also called Dhanyakam, Kustumbari and Vitunnaka. Flavonoid glycosides (rutin, quercetin) show moderate oral bioavailability (20-30%). Cold infusion (Hima/Sheeta Kashayam) is the classical method for this Pitta-pacifying herb, preserves volatile aromatics better than hot decoction.

Key facts
Botanical nameCoriandrum sativum
FamilyApiaceae · other entries in this family
OrderApiales
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3034871 · Wikidata Q41611 · NCBI Taxonomy 4047
Names in other languages
Sanskritधान्याकम् (dhānyākam), कुस्तुम्बरी (kustumbarī), वितुन्नक (vitunnaka)
Hindiधनिया (dhaniyā)
Tamilகொத்தமல்லி

Sources: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary: 'the plant coriander, [Suśruta]'. DDSA Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary (Apte): 'The धान्याक plant (Mar. kothiṃbīra); आर्द्रां कुस्तुम्बरीं कुर्यात्...' citing Suśruta Saṃhitā.; University of Madras Tamil Lexicon (via agarathi.com): 'Coriander, Coriandrum sativum'; Miron Winslow, A Comprehensive Tamil and English Dictionary: 'Coriander seed, Coriandrum sativum, L.'; Fabricius equates it with கொத்தம். India Flora Online (IISc) independently lists Tamil 'Kotthamalli'.; Wisdom Library (Ayurveda/nighantu index): 'Dhānyaka (धान्यक) is the Sanskrit name for a medicinal plant identified with Coriandrum sativum Linn.'; variants Dhānyāka/Dhanyāka listed in the same entry. Synonym set given as Dhanika, Dhanya, Vitunnaka, Kustumburu.; Wisdom Library nighantu index for Dhānyaka (Coriandrum sativum), synonym list: 'Dhanika, Dhanya, Vitunnaka, Kustumburu'.; Wisdom Library, 'Local Names of Plants and Drugs': 'Dhaniya [धनिया] in the Hindi language is the name of a plant identified with Coriandrum sativum from the Apiaceae (Carrot) family.' Corroborated by DDSA, A Practical Hindi-English Dictionary (Univ. of Chicago DSAL): 'Dhaniyā (धनiyā) (nm) coriander.'. How we source.

The evidence at a glance

12papers on this site for this drug, published 2006 to 2023, 11 with a DOI.

  • 12Other clinical studies and reviews

A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.

This entry and dhanyaka describe the same drug, Coriandrum sativum, under different names. Both pages are kept because both names are in use, and each is cited as itself.

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishCoriander

What is it made of?

The marker compounds are listed under Dosage forms and preparation, below.

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (seed powder), Hima (cold infusion), Kashayam (decoction), Essential oil, Tablet, Capsule, Dhanyakadi compound formulations

Standard Dosage: 3-6g seed powder; 50-100ml cold infusion (Sheeta Kashayam); 500mg extract capsule; essential oil: 1-3 drops; seeds freely as culinary spice

Optimal Timing: Cold infusion early morning for Pitta conditions; with meals as digestive; after meals for bloating and flatulence; anytime as cooling beverage

Storage: Whole seeds in airtight containers (very stable). Ground coriander loses aroma quickly, use within months and store airtight. Essential oil in amber glass, cool storage. Cool, dry conditions.

Marker Compounds: Linalool, Geranyl acetate, Alpha-pinene, Gamma-terpinene, Camphor (trace), Rutin, Quercetin, Kaempferol, Chlorogenic acid, Caffeic acid

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Cumin and Fennel (Dhanyaka-Jeeraka-Saunf) for digestive triad formulations
  • With Guduchi, traditionally used for fever (Guduchyadi Kashayam)
  • With Amalaki for Pitta pacification
  • With Sunthi for appetite stimulation

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Other clinical studies and reviews12

  1. Santibáñez A, Jiménez-Ferrer E, Angulo-Bejarano PI and others. 2023. Coriandrum sativum and Its Utility in Psychiatric DisordersMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 37513187 · doi:10.3390/molecules28145314
  2. Scandar S, Zadra C, Marcotullio MC. 2023. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) Polyphenols and Their Nutraceutical Value against Obesity and Metabolic SyndromeMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 37241925 · doi:10.3390/molecules28104187
  3. Al-Khayri JM, Banadka A, Nandhini M and others. 2023. Essential Oil from Coriandrum sativum: A review on Its Phytochemistry and Biological ActivityMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36677754 · doi:10.3390/molecules28020696
  4. Sobhani Z, Mohtashami L, Amiri MS and others. 2022. Ethnobotanical and phytochemical aspects of the edible herb Coriandrum sativum LJournal of food science. PMID 35279837 · doi:10.1111/1750-3841.16085
  5. Gantait S, Sharangi AB, Mahanta M and others. 2022. Agri-biotechnology of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.): an inclusive appraisalApplied microbiology and biotechnology. PMID 35080667 · doi:10.1007/s00253-022-11787-4
  6. Verma T, Sinha M, Bansal N and others. 2021. Plants Used as AntihypertensiveNatural products and bioprospecting. PMID 33174095 · doi:10.1007/s13659-020-00281-x
  7. Hosseini M, Boskabady MH, Khazdair MR. 2021. Neuroprotective effects of Coriandrum sativum and its constituent, linalool: A reviewAvicenna journal of phytomedicine. PMID 34745916 · doi:10.22038/AJP.2021.55681.2786
  8. Mahleyuddin NN, Moshawih S, Ming LC and others. 2021. Coriandrum sativum L.: A Review on Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Cardiovascular BenefitsMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 35011441 · doi:10.3390/molecules27010209
  9. Wei JN, Liu ZH, Zhao YP and others. 2019. Phytochemical and bioactive profile of Coriandrum sativum LFood chemistry. PMID 30827604 · doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.01.171
  10. Prachayasittikul V, Prachayasittikul S, Ruchirawat S and others. 2018. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum): A promising functional food toward the well-beingFood research international (Ottawa, Ont.). PMID 29433220 · doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2017.11.019
  11. Laribi B, Kouki K, M'Hamdi M and others. 2015. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) and its bioactive constituentsFitoterapia. PMID 25776008 · doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2015.03.012
  12. 2006. Coriander PMID 30000851

Reference lists that include it

Kaempferol

Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.

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