coriander
Coriander, coriander, coriander, or taqda is an annual herbaceous plant that belongs to the Apiaceae family.
Habitat and spread
Its origin is Asia and North Africa. It is widespread in the countries of the Mediterranean basin and is also grown in India, South America and Europe. It used its leaves and dried fruit in many foods. Usually grows to 50 cm (20 in).
Botanical description
An annual herbaceous plant with a strong aromatic scent, reaching a height of up to 50 cm. It has finely cut upper leaves and small white or pink flowers. It produces small, round, yellow to brown fruits. Coriander is considered a famous spice.
Medical uses
Active ingredients in coriander: Coriander contains a volatile oil, the most important of which are linalool, borneol, paracymin, camphor, geraniol, limonene, and fabain. It also contains fatty oils, coumarins, flavonoids, phthalides, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and vitamin C.
Some of the acids found in coriander, such as linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and ascorbic acid, are very effective in lowering cholesterol levels in the blood. They also reduce the level of bad cholesterol that is deposited on the inner walls of the arteries and veins, which can lead to cardiovascular problems. Serious blood disorders such as atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.
Sayings of the ancients about coriander
Coriander has been used throughout Asia, North Africa, and Europe since more than 2000 years BC and in the civilizations of the Levant. Archaeologists in Egypt found two baskets of coriander fruits in the tomb of Tutankhamun. Coriander was also offered as gifts in ancient Egyptian tombs. Pliny mentioned that the best types of coriander imported to Italy were from Egypt. Coriander was mentioned in the Ypres Papyrus 17 times and in the Berlin Papyrus three times. It was also mentioned in the Hirst Papyrus, and it was mentioned in the Book of Exodus from the Torah.
Coriander arrived in China during the rule of the Han dynasty in 202 BC, and Pliny describes its use for widespread ulcers, disease of the testicles, heartburn, carbuncle, ulceration of the ears, the flow of tears from the eyes, and also when women have increased milk.
Coriander is attributed to the property of expelling worms from the intestines, and a large amount of it is used as a sleeping pill. Coriander came in the Hirst Papyrus as a prescription for a local treatment of fractures, a local analgesic for irritated inflammatory conditions, a treatment for uterine prolapse, the removal of disorders, and the expulsion of gases.
Galen said: “Coriander juice and coffee go together very badly.” Abu Bakr Al-Razi said: “Coriander is beneficial against cases of frequent urination, dripping urine, and catching a cold. It is also useful for cases of stomach acidity.”
Ibn Sina said: “Coriander works for hot tumors along with asfidage (note 1), and vinegar and rose oil with honey and oil for hives and Persian fire.”
Ibn al-Bitar said: “Coriander helps the stomach with digestion, but green coriander is harmful to asthma patients.”
Dawud Al-Antaki said: “Coriander is the best of the modern, yellowish types, and there is no difference in it between Levantines and Egyptians. It suppresses vomiting and prevents thirst, sores, and itching. Eating it and coating it with oil, and mixing it with sugar gives appetite, prevents satiety, strengthens the heart, and prevents palpitations. With amber and sugar, it eliminates dysentery, and with sandalwood and anise, it strengthens the stomach and eliminates worms.”
Hippocrates said: “Coriander has heat and coolness, and it removes the odors of onions and garlic if chewed wet or dry.”
Modern medicine and coriander
Coriander is commonly used as a spice and is widely used in all countries of the world. Coriander infusion is used as a gentle treatment for flatulence and colic. It soothes spasms in the intestines and counteracts the effects of nervous tension.
It has been proven that coriander oil has a stimulating effect on the secretion of digestive juices and is an anti-flatus and anti-colic as well. It has also been proven to have an antibacterial and antifungal effect. The German Constitution has authorized the use of coriander against loss of appetite and indigestion problems.
The Chinese use coriander to treat loss of appetite and to treat angina, measles, colon problems, and rheumatism. In Indian medicine, coriander is used to treat nosebleeds, coughs, bladder problems, vomiting, diarrhea, amoebic dysentery, and dizziness.
A British pharmaceutical company was able to conduct research on coriander and was able to extract a drug from green coriander that has therapeutic benefits in cases of asthma and whooping cough.
There are no risks from using coriander, especially if it is used according to the doses specified for it, as the daily dose does not exceed 3 grams in the form of three doses per day, each dose of 1 gram.