Origin, Distribution and Composition
Coriander is both an annual and a perenma herb. It is erect, sweet smelling and grows up to 20 cms m length with many branches. The stem is feeble, smooth and light green in colour.
Leaves are compound, thin, alternate and easily breakable. Fruits are spherical-about one centimetre in diameter with some longitudinal ridges. They are green when tender and brownish yellow when ripe. They have a sweet fragrance.
Coriander is a native of the Mediterranean region, where it has been grown since ancient times. It is extensively cultivated in Europe, North Africa, India, South America, Malaysia, Thailand and China. It thrives in black soil and arid regions.
Coriander is rich in various food elements. An analysis of coriander leaves shows them to contain moisture 86.3 per cent, protein 3.3 per cent, fat 0.6 per cent, minerals 2.3 per cent, fibre 1.2 per cent and carbohydrates 6.3 per cent per 100 grams. The mineral and vitamin contents include calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin C. They also contain sodium,potassium and oxalic acid.Their calorific value is 44.
Coriander seeds are dried when they are ripe. They have an aromatic odour and agreeable spicy taste. An analysis of the seeds shows them to contain moisture 11.2 per cent, protein 14.1 per cent, fat 16.1 per cent, minerals 4.4 per cent, fibre 32.6 per cent and carbohydrates 21.6 per cent per 100 grams. Their mineral and vitamin contents include calcium, phosphorus, iron carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin. Their calorific'value is 288.
Indian coriander contains an essential oil which causes irritation when in contact with skin for a long time Besides
essential oil, the seeds also contain a fatty oil.
Top
Healing Power and Curative Properties
The leaves of coriander are stimulant and tonic. They strengthen the
stomach and promote its action, relieve flatulence .ncrease secretion and discharge of urine and reduce
fever
Tney act as an aphrodisiac, help in the removal of catarrhal matter and phlegm from the bronchial tubes thereby counteracting any spasmodic disorders. Coriander seeds reduce
fever and promote a feeling of coolness. Coriander juice is highly beneficial in deficiencies of vitamin A, B,, B2, C and iron.
Digestive Disorders
One or two teaspoons of coriander juice, added to fresh buttermilk, is highly beneficial in treating digestive disorders such as
indigestion, nausea, dysentery, hepatitis and ulcerative colitis. It is also helpful in typhoid fever
Dry coriander treats diarrhoea and chronic dysentery, as well as being useful in acidity. A chutney made from dry coriander, green chillies, grated coconut, ginger and black grapes without seeds is a remedy for
abdominal pain due to indigestion.
Small Pox
One teaspoon fresh coriander juice, mixed with 1 or 2 seeds of banana given once daily regularly, for a week is a very effective preventive measure against small pox. It is believed that putting fresh leaf juice in the eyes, during an attack of small pox, prevents eye damage
Top
|