Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Coriander

Coriandrum sativum

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is a plant used in Ayurveda. 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

This entry and dhanyaka describe the same drug, Coriandrum sativum, under different names. Both pages are kept because both names are in use; the other is treated as the primary record for citation.

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishCoriander

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Derived from constituent herbs (see individual herb profiles)
  • Standardized on primary bioactive markers

Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

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

Bioavailability: Linalool (primary essential oil component, 60-80% of oil) shows excellent oral and dermal bioavailability (>70%). 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. Seed mucilage provides mild sustained-release characteristics.

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

Standardized Extract: Essential oil standardized to linalool NLT 65% (European type) or NLT 45% (Indian type); seed extract standardized to total flavonoids NLT 3%. Oleoresin with volatile oil NLT 15%.

Shelf Life: 3 years (whole seeds); 1 year (powder—volatile oil loss); 3 years (essential oil); 3 years (capsule/tablet)

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

Extraction Methods

  • Steam distillation for essential oil (yield 0.5-1.0%)
  • Cold infusion (Hima): soak crushed seeds in cold water overnight
  • Aqueous decoction for Kashayam
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (60:40) for flavonoid-rich extract
  • Supercritical CO2 for premium oleoresin
  • Hydrodistillation for complete volatile profile

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Cumin and Fennel (Dhanyaka-Jeeraka-Saunf) for digestive triad formulations
  • With Guduchi for fever management (Guduchyadi Kashayam)
  • With Amalaki for Pitta pacification
  • With Mishreya (fennel) for digestive comfort
  • 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 reviews9

  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. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 2006. Coriander PMID 30000851

Laboratory and animal studies3

  1. Póvoa O, Farinha N, Lopes V and others. 2024. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) from Alentejo (South Portugal)-Ethnobotany and Potential Industrial UseFoods (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 38540919 · doi:10.3390/foods13060929
  2. Mathew D, Valsalan R, Shijili M. 2024. Genome-wide mining and characterization of MATE transporters in Coriandrum sativum LMolecular biology research communications. PMID 38915458 · doi:10.22099/mbrc.2024.49840.1954
  3. Brinza I, Boiangiu RS, Cioanca O and others. 2023. Direct Evidence for Using Coriandrum sativum var. microcarpum Essential Oil to Ameliorate Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impairment and Brain Oxidative Stress in the Zebrafish ModelAntioxidants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 37627529 · doi:10.3390/antiox12081534

Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.

Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.