Overview

Coriander is a plant. Both the leaves and fruit (seeds) of coriander are used as food and medicine. However, the term "coriander" is typically used to refer to the fruit. Coriander leaves are usually referred to as cilantro. In the following sections, the term "coriander" will be used to describe the fruit.

Coriander is used for a long-term disorder of the large intestines that causes stomach pain (irritable bowel syndrome or IBS), constipation, diarrhea, gas (flatulence), nausea, athlete's foot (Tinea pedis), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

In foods, coriander is used as a culinary spice and to prevent food poisoning.

In manufacturing, coriander is used as a flavoring agent in medicines and tobacco and as a fragrance in cosmetics and soaps.

How does it work ?

Coriander may lower blood sugar and help kill some parasites, but there currently isn't enough information to know how coriander might work for medicinal uses.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Athlete's foot (Tinea pedis). Early research suggests that putting 6% coriander oil on the skin helps to improve symptoms of athlete's foot.
  • A long-term disorder of the large intestines that causes stomach pain (irritable bowel syndrome or IBS).
  • Anxiety.
  • Bacterial or fungal infections.
  • Constipation.
  • Convulsions.
  • Diabetes.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Insomnia.
  • Gas (flatulence).
  • Joint pain and swelling.
  • Nausea.
  • Stomach upset.
  • Worms.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of coriander for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Coriander is LIKELY SAFE when taken in food amounts. It is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken in larger amounts as medicine. Coriander can cause allergic reactions. Symptoms of such reactions can include asthma, nasal swelling, hives, or swelling inside the mouth. These reactions appear to be most common in people who work with spices in the food industry.

When applied to the skin: Coriander is POSSIBLY SAFE when used appropriately. It can cause skin irritation and itching.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Coriander is LIKELY SAFE when taken in food amounts. It is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken in larger amounts as medicine. Coriander can cause allergic reactions. Symptoms of such reactions can include asthma, nasal swelling, hives, or swelling inside the mouth. These reactions appear to be most common in people who work with spices in the food industry.

When applied to the skin: Coriander is POSSIBLY SAFE when used appropriately. It can cause skin irritation and itching. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if coriander is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Allergies. People who are allergic to mugwort, aniseed, caraway, fennel, dill, or similar plants might have allergic reactions to coriander.

Diabetes. Coriander might lower blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes and take coriander, monitor your blood sugar levels closely.

Low blood pressure: Coriander might decrease blood pressure. This could cause blood pressure to go to low in people with low blood pressure. Use cautiously if you have low blood pressure or take medications to lower your blood pressure.

Surgery: Coriander might lower blood sugar. There is some concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during surgery. Stop using coriander at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions ?

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with CORIANDER

    Coriander might lower blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking coriander in medicinal amounts along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.

    Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.

  • Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with CORIANDER

    Coriander might decrease blood pressure. Taking coriander in medicinal amounts along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low.

    Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.

  • Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with CORIANDER

    Coriander might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Using coriander in medicinal amounts along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.

    Some sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and many others.

  • Medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight (Photosensitizing drugs) interacts with CORIANDER

Dosing

The appropriate dose of coriander depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for coriander. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.