Coriander: Your in-house doctor

The power-packed green, that must-have sprinkle of chopped green leaves that zings up your bowl of steaming soup or your favorite pav-bhaji, and also packs a lot of medicinal punch – coriander! All the parts ranging from leaves to stems, seeds and roots are used and each offers a different flavor. It is extensively used around the world as a condiment, garnish, or decoration on culinary dishes. Use of coriander in food preparation is famously described as the tip of the iceberg. In Ayurveda, it has been known as 'Kustumbur' which means a herb that alleviates various diseases.

Benefits of coriander

• The picture-pretty leaves are powerful natural cleansing agent
• Coriander has eleven components of essential oils, six types of acids (including ascorbic acid, better known as vitamin C), minerals and vitamins
• Coriander is believed to be antipyretic, diuretic, stimulant, demulcent, antioxidant and antibiotic
• Antioxidants are the "clean-up crew" in your body that counteracts the damaging effects of poor nutrition, pollution, and stress. Coriander’s antioxidant properties effectively help cleanse heavy metals and toxic agents from the body
• Coriander builds up immunity with two great immunity boosting nutrients - Vitamin A and Vitamin C
• Its medicinal properties help treat allergy, burning micturition (burning sensation while passing urine) and allergic dermatitis
• It improves vitality and decreases pain
• Coriander increases the nutritive value of food with the presence of nutrients like iron, folic acid, and other vitamins like A, B, and K
• Coriander supports blood coagulation process and prevents anemia due to high contents of Vitamin K and iron respectively
• Increases digestibility of food and aids in weight loss by controlling appetite
• Some of the acids present in coriander are very effective in regulating the level of bad cholesterol (LDL) and raising the level of good cholesterol (LDL) in blood
• Due to its multiple benefits, coriander is considered as one of the best foods during pregnancy

5 ways to use coriander in your daily diet

• Chop and garnish your dishes
• Add to your curries and gravies
• Make healthy juices or soups
• Use powdered coriander seeds in your cooking
• Make chutneys and store for daily use in sandwiches or with a meal as an accompaniment

This piece is based on expert inputs given by Dr. Jyothi and Dr. Hari, Sri Sri College of Ayurvedic Sciences and Research Hospital.