Plant Profile

Coriander

Compiled by the Omnia Sana editorial team from the plant database ·Last updated August 15, 2026

Coriandrum sativum

Family: Apiaceae · Parts used: Leaf, Root, Seed, Stem · Also known as: cilantro, Chinese parsley, dhania/dhanya, pak chee

Common names in 31 European languages →

The complete database record: 3 documented constituents, 5 pharmacological actions, 10 traditional / indicated uses, with 23 cited sources.

Botanical Description

Slender annual herb with delicate, broad, lobed lower leaves and finely divided, feathery upper leaves - a marked contrast within the same plant. Small white or pale pink flowers are borne in flat compound umbels, followed by round, ridged, aromatic seeds. The fresh leaf ('cilantro') has a distinctive citrusy aroma, often described as soapy by those with a genetic sensitivity to it.^[4]

Height: 30-70 cm

Habit: Slender, erect annual herb

Leaves: Lower leaves broad and lobed; upper leaves finely divided and feathery

Flowers: Small white or pale pink flowers in flat compound umbels

Stem: Slender, erect, branching, hollow

Root: Slender taproot

Fruit: Round, ridged, aromatic seed (mericarp)

Flowering Period: June-August

Habitat & Distribution

Believed native to the Mediterranean region and Western Asia; cultivated worldwide as a culinary herb and spice crop on well-drained, sunny sites.^[4]

Harvesting

Leaves are picked fresh through the growing season, before the plant bolts (flowers), when the flavour is best; the seed is harvested in late summer once the umbels have browned and dried, then threshed; the root can be dug at the same time as young leaves.

Parts: Leaf, Root, Seed, Stem

Season: Leaf before flowering; seed in late summer

Key Constituents

Essential oil (linalool)^[4]

Seed essential oil dominated by linalool, giving the characteristic aroma and much of the antimicrobial and carminative activity.

Essential (volatile) oilLinalool

Flavonoids and phenolic compounds^[4]

Antioxidant flavonoids and phenolics, notably quercetin derivatives, identified across leaf and seed extracts.

FlavonoidsPhenolic compounds

Phytosterols^[4]

Contribute to the plant's cardiovascular and metabolic activity.

Phytosterols

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^{[4, 5, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16]}

Antimicrobial^{[5, 9, 14, 15, 16]}

Antioxidant^{[5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16]}

Antispasmodic^{[14, 15, 16]}

Antispasmodic (cramp easing)

Digestive aid^{[5, 14, 15, 16]}

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain^{[14, 15, 16]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Arthritis / joint pain

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Bloating^{[14, 15, 16]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from digestive action

Evidence: 1

Label: Bloating

more plants for bloating →detailed sources →

Indigestion^{[14, 15, 16]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from digestive action

Evidence: 1

Label: Indigestion

more plants for indigestion →detailed sources →

Infection (general)^{[14, 15, 16]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 1

Label: Infection (general)

more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)^{[14, 15, 16]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Inflammation (general)

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

Menstrual cramps^{[14, 15, 16]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

Evidence: 1

Label: Menstrual cramps

more plants for menstrual cramps →detailed sources →

Metabolic support^{[14, 15, 16]}Preliminary · 1/10

Evidence: 1

Label: Metabolic support

more plants for metabolic support →detailed sources →

Muscle spasm^{[14, 15, 16]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

Evidence: 1

Label: Muscle spasm

more plants for muscle spasm →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^{[14, 15, 16]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Skin irritation

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Wounds^{[14, 15, 16]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 1

Label: Wounds

more plants for wounds →detailed sources →

Traditional Use & History

Coriander seed and leaf have a very long culinary and medicinal history across the Mediterranean, Middle East and Asia as a digestive carminative for indigestion, bloating and cramping, and, more recently, studied for calming/anxiolytic effects on the central nervous system alongside cardiovascular and metabolic benefits.^{[1, 4]}

Preparations

Standardised extract^[1]

Seed powder or extract studied for glycaemic and psychiatric-symptom support in clinical and preclinical work.

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[14, 15, 16]}Caution

• Food use is generally safe for most people (leaf in salads, seed as spice) (Burdock & Carabin, 2009). • Allergy is the main “big warning.” Coriander can trigger reactions ranging from mild oral itching to more serious allergy in sensitive people, especially those with pollen allergies (e.g., birch/mugwort) or other Apiaceae spice allergies (Thermo Fisher/Phadia, n.d.; Berghea et al., 2025). • If you use supplements (capsules/powder) and you take diabetes medication, be cautious: coriander seed powder has shown blood-sugar improvements in a small human trial, so it may add to the effect of glucose-lowering meds (Zamany et al., 2025). • Essential oil is not the same as the spice. Coriander essential oil is highly concentrated and should not be taken internally in “DIY doses.” It can be irritating, and safety data are discussed mainly for food-flavouring levels-not self-prescribed medicinal dosing (Burdock & Carabin, 2009). • Pregnancy / breastfeeding: normal culinary amounts are generally considered fine; “medicinal-dose” supplements or essential oil are best avoided unless guided by a qualified professional because safety data at higher doses is limited (Burdock & Carabin, 2009).

Safety note^{[14, 15, 16, 17]}Caution

Duke (2002) provides clinical evidence (score 2) for coriander's role as an aperitif (appetite stimulant) and digestive tonic, consistent with Commission E approval. It demonstrates antispasmodic, carminative, and antifungal activities at the experimental level. Dose: 1–3 g crushed fruits (seeds) three times daily, or equivalent preparations. Duke notes mild hypoglycemic activity and a potential antiimplantation effect in high doses - use with caution in women attempting pregnancy (Duke, 2002).

Dangerous Lookalikes

Conium Maculatum^{[18, 19, 20]}Fatal

Confused Part: Young, finely divided fern-like leaves resembling cilantro foliage, and volunteer seedlings appearing among planted coriander.

Confusion Context: Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) is the classic fatal mimic of edible parsley-family plants. King County (Washington) states it can be confused with many edible members of the parsley family, and coriander/cilantro is one such flat-leaved edible; a poison-hemlock seedling volunteering among planted coriander is a realistic garden hazard. Conium contains coniine and kills by ascending paralysis and respiratory failure - a few leaves or seeds can be fatal. Coriander-specific case reports are sparse (most documented hemlock poisonings involve other Apiaceae), so the value of this record is the rock-solid tests below rather than a claim that this exact swap is common.

Distinguishing Features: SMELL (decisive): crushed coriander smells strongly and pleasantly of cilantro (citrusy, to some soapy). Poison hemlock smells rank, musty and mouse-like, with no cilantro note., Stem: poison hemlock has a hairless, hollow stem conspicuously blotched and streaked with red-purple, especially near the base. Coriander stems are plain green and never carry purple blotches., Stature/leaf: poison hemlock is a tall (often 1.5-2.5 m) branching biennial with large, glossy, highly divided fern-like leaves; cultivated coriander is a small low herb. A large fern-leaved umbellifer with a purple-blotched stem is not coriander.

Key Test: Crush a leaf and smell it, and look at the stem. A pleasant citrusy cilantro scent with a plain green stem = coriander. A musty/mousy smell and/or a hairless stem with red-purple blotches = poison hemlock - do not eat. If either warning sign is present, discard it.

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

Aethusa Cynapium^{[21, 22, 23]}Dangerous

Confused Part: Young flat, divided leaves resembling those of flat-leaf parsley and coriander/cilantro, and the whole leafy plant before or at flowering.

Confusion Context: Aethusa cynapium is named 'fool's parsley' precisely because it is the classic toxic mimic of flat-leaved culinary parsley-family herbs - parsley, and by close leaf-resemblance coriander/cilantro. It contains toxic polyacetylenes; ingestion has caused inflammation of the mouth and throat, abdominal pain and nervous-system effects, and poisonings have arisen from eating it in mistake for parsley. It is generally serious rather than fatal at typical exposures.

Distinguishing Features: BRACTEOLE 'beard' (in flower): fool's parsley bears 3-4 long, narrow, downward-hanging strongly reflexed bracteoles on the outer side of each secondary umbel - a distinctive drooping beard. Coriander umbels have no such drooping bracteoles., Smell when crushed: coriander smells strongly and pleasantly of cilantro; fool's parsley smells foul, acrid and mouse-like ('mousey')., Leaves/flowers: fool's parsley is hairless with darker, glossier finely dissected leaves and white flowers, and lacks the fresh cilantro scent.

Key Test: Crush a leaf and smell it: a strong cilantro scent = coriander (safe); a foul, acrid, mouse-like smell = fool's parsley. If in flower, confirm by the 3-4 long drooping reflexed bracteoles (the 'beard') under the secondary umbels, which coriander never has.

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

Harvest Readiness

^[13]

Part: leaf

Signals: Gather the leaves (cilantro) while young, before the plant runs up to flower - once it blooms, gather and store the remaining foliage, as flowering spoils the leaf., SAFETY: coriander is an Apiaceae confusable with the FATAL poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) and fool's parsley (Aethusa cynapium); confirm identity before gathering - see this plant's Dangerous Lookalikes.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: Once coriander's first bloom unfolds, harvest and store all remaining foliage.

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: Plantura (REF-3233) for Coriandrum sativum; the leaf is gathered before/at flowering (flowering spoils the leaf). Single source -> provisional.

^[13]

Part: stem

Signals: Gather the tender stems with the young leaves (cilantro), before the plant comes into flower., SAFETY: confirm identity before gathering - coriander is confusable with FATAL Apiaceae (poison hemlock, fool's parsley). See this plant's Dangerous Lookalikes.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: Once coriander's first bloom unfolds, harvest and store all remaining foliage.

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: Plantura (REF-3233); the tender stems are gathered with the cilantro foliage before flowering. Single source -> provisional.

^[13]

Part: seed

Signals: Cut the seed heads as soon as they turn light brown (ripe), a couple of weeks after flowering, before the seed shatters; dry to finish.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: As soon as the seed heads take on a light brown colour, they are ready for harvest.

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: Plantura (REF-3233). Single source -> provisional.

Part: root

Notes: GAP (documented dead end, re-searched 2026-08-15). No source found states a readiness stage for the coriander ROOT. Seams searched: Useful Temperate Plants gives only day-counts from sowing; Plantura covers leaf and seed; Wikipedia describes the root's culinary use ('Coriander roots have a deeper, more intense flavour than the leaves') with no harvest stage; Thaifoodmaster names the root as an ingredient without timing; a Thai-cookery growing guide that does give the stage (lift the whole plant before it bolts) returned HTTP 500 on every attempt and could not be quoted. Next seam: retry that guide, or a South-East Asian horticultural extension. SAFETY: confirm identity against poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) before digging.

External Identifiers

GBIF ›Wikidata ›

References & Sources

Santibáñez, A., Jiménez-Ferrer, E., Angulo-Bejarano, P.I., Sharma, A. and Herrera-Ruiz, M (2023) 'Coriandrum sativum and Its Utility in Psychiatric Disorders', Molecules, 28(14), pp. 5314. doi:10.3390/molecules28145314 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28145314
Wei, J.N., Liu, Z.H., Zhao, Y.P., Zhao, L.L. et al (2019) 'Phytochemical and bioactive profile of Coriandrum sativum L', Food Chemistry, 286, pp. 260-267. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.01.171 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.01.171
Hosseini, M., Boskabady, M.H. and Khazdair, M.R (2021) 'Neuroprotective effects of Coriandrum sativum and its constituent, linalool: A review', Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, 11(5), pp. 436-450. doi:10.22038/AJP.2021.55681.2786 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.22038/AJP.2021.55681.2786
Mahleyuddin, N.N., Moshawih, S., Ming, L.C., Zulkifly, H.H., Kifli, N. and Loy, M.J (2021) 'Coriandrum sativum L.: A Review on Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Cardiovascular Benefits', Molecules, 27(1), pp. 209. doi:10.3390/molecules27010209 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27010209
Prachayasittikul, V., Prachayasittikul, S., Ruchirawat, S. and Prachayasittikul, V (2017) 'Coriander (Coriandrum sativum): A promising functional food toward the well-being', Food Research International, 105, pp. 305-323. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2017.11.019 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2017.11.019
Laribi, B., Kouki, K., M'Hamdi, M. and Bettaieb, T (2015) 'Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) and its bioactive constituents', Fitoterapia, 103, pp. 9-26. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2015.03.012 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2015.03.012
Sahib, N.G., Anwar, F., Gilani, A.H., Hamid, A.A., Saari, N. and Alkharfy, K.M (2012) 'Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.): a potential source of high-value components for functional foods and nutraceuticals - a review', Phytotherapy Research, 27(10), pp. 1439-1456. doi:10.1002/ptr.4897 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.4897
Scandar, S., Zadra, C. and Marcotullio, M.C (2023) 'Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) Polyphenols and Their Nutraceutical Value against Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome', Molecules, 28(10), pp. 4187. doi:10.3390/molecules28104187 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28104187
Al-Khayri, J.M., Banadka, A., Nandhini, M., Nagella, P., Al-Mssallem, M.Q. and Alessa, F.M (2023) 'Coriandrum sativum Essential Oil: A review on Its Phytochemistry and Biological Activity', Molecules, 28(2), pp. 696. doi:10.3390/molecules28020696 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28020696
Kukner, A., Soyler, G., Toros, P., Dede, G., Mericli, F. and Isik, S (2020) 'Protective effect of Coriandrum sativum extract against inflammation and apoptosis in liver ischaemia/reperfusion injury', Folia Morphologica, 80(2), pp. 363-371. doi:10.5603/FM.a2020.0060 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.5603/FM.a2020.0060
Liu, Q.F., Jeong, H., Lee, J.H., Hong, Y.K., Oh, Y. and Kim, Y.M (2016) 'Coriandrum sativum Suppresses Abeta42-Induced ROS Increases, Glial Cell Proliferation, and ERK Activation', American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 44(7), pp. 1325-1347. doi:10.1142/S0192415X16500749 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X16500749
Koppula, S., Alluri, R. and Kopalli, S.R (2021) 'Coriandrum sativum attenuates microglia mediated neuroinflammation and MPTP-induced behavioral and oxidative changes in Parkinson's disease mouse model', EXCLI Journal, 20, pp. 835-850. doi:10.17179/excli2021-3668 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2021-3668
Plantura 'Harvesting and Storing Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)'. Available at: https://plantura.garden/uk/herbs/coriander/how-to-harvest-coriander Traditional / reference
https://plantura.garden/uk/herbs/coriander/how-to-harvest-coriander
Laribi, B., Kouki, K., M'Hamdi, M. and Bettaieb, T (2015) 'Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) and its bioactive constituents', pp. 9--26. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Coriander%20%28Coriandrum%20sativum%20L.%29%20and%20its%20bioactive%20constituents
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org
World Health Organization (1999) 'WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=WHO%20Monographs%20on%20Selected%20Medicinal%20Plants
Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition
Dayan, A.D (2024) 'Death of Socrates: a likely case of poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) poisoning', Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.), 62(1), pp. 56-60. doi:10.1080/15563650.2024.2309328 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2024.2309328
King County Noxious Weeds (2024) 'Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) identification and control'. Available at: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/environment-ecology-conservation/noxious-weeds/identification-control/poison-hemlock Traditional / reference
https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/environment-ecology-conservation/noxious-weeds/identification-control/poison-hemlock
Grow Forage Cook Ferment 'Poison Hemlock: How to Identify and Potential Look-alikes'. Available at: https://www.growforagecookferment.com/poison-hemlock/ Traditional / reference
https://www.growforagecookferment.com/poison-hemlock/
Teuscher, E. and Greger, H. and Adrian, V (1990) 'Toxicity of Aethusa cynapium L. (fool's parsley)', Pharmazie, 45(7), pp. 537-8. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2236201/ Preclinical
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2236201/
Minnesota Wildflowers (2024) 'Aethusa cynapium (Fool's Parsley)'. Available at: https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/fools-parsley Traditional / reference
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/fools-parsley
Botanical Society of Scotland (2023) 'Plant of the Week: Fool's Parsley (Aethusa cynapium)'. Available at: https://botsoc.scot/2023/08/20/plant-of-the-week-21st-august-2023-fools-parsley-aethusa-cynapium/ Traditional / reference
https://botsoc.scot/2023/08/20/plant-of-the-week-21st-august-2023-fools-parsley-aethusa-cynapium/

Selected studies & references

ReviewCoriander (Coriandrum sativum) Polyphenols and Their Nutraceutical Value against Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome source↗ (2023)

ReviewCoriandrum sativum Essential Oil: A review on Its Phytochemistry and Biological Activity source↗ (2023)

ReviewCoriandrum sativum L.: A Review on Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Cardiovascular Benefits source↗ (2021)

ReviewCoriander (Coriandrum sativum): A promising functional food toward the well-being source↗ (2017)

ReviewCoriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) and its bioactive constituents source↗ (2015)

ReviewCoriander (Coriandrum sativum L.): a potential source of high-value components for functional foods and nutraceuticals - a review source↗ (2012)

PreclinicalCoriandrum sativum attenuates microglia mediated neuroinflammation and MPTP-induced behavioral and oxidative changes in Parkinson's disease mouse model source↗ (2021)

PreclinicalProtective effect of Coriandrum sativum extract against inflammation and apoptosis in liver ischaemia/reperfusion injury source↗ (2020)

All 16 studies in the Knowledge Finder →

Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.

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