Traditionally, boiled coriander seeds and leaves is used for digestion problems, loss of appetite, hernia, nausea, diarrhea, bowel spasms, and intestinal gas. Pounded coriander leaves is also used to treat hemorrhoids, measles, toothaches and joint pain.
Coriander is also used to prevent and treat infections caused by bacteria and fungus.
Coriander is rich in minerals that may be valuable in maintaining overall health. Coriander leaves are rich in calcium, potassium, manganese, magnesium and iron. Research has shown that low potassium is associated with a risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, cancer, digestive disorders, and infertility. While iron is essential for red blood cell production. Calcium and manganese is essential in treating and preventing weak bones (osteoporosis) and can help reduce spinal bone loss in older women.
Coriander seed oil has a reputation in many traditional medicines as an anti-inflammatory agent, an analgesic, anti-diabetic, anti-spasmodic, carminative, digestive, fungicidal, and has cholesterol-lowering effects. These health benefits are due to the abundance of phytonutrients found in coriander’s volatile oils, these include carvone, geraniol, limonene, borneol, camphor, elemol, and linalool.
Coriander is also rich in flavonoids that are considered antioxidants, these include quercitin, kaempferol, rhamnetin, and epigenin. Coridander also contains active phenolic acid compounds, including caffeic and chlorogenic acid.
Coriander contains natural antibacterial compound called dodecenal that is safe and effective against Salmonella, a deadly bacteria that is the cause of foodborne illness.
Coriander leaves have sufficient antioxidants, phytonutrients and fibers that actually help in maintaining good level of HDL – known as good cholesterol while reducing the LDL level. – the bad cholesterol.
Coriander is also beneficial in maintaining good skin and mucus membrane because it is rich in folic-acid, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin-A, beta carotene and vitamin-C. The rich vitamin A is important in protecting the vision, lungs and other vital organs.