Koriandr

Composition and calorie content

The chemical composition of the plant is represented by alkaloids, vitamins, fatty and essential oils. Coriander greens contain a lot of vitamin K, beta-carotene, ascorbic acid. The seeds (grains) contain nitrogenous and tannins, as well as starch and sugar.

Other important connections:

• Phytosterols — 5 mg (9,1% of RDI)

• Purine — 5 mg (4,3% of RDI)

Useful properties of coriander

For medicinal purposes, the fruits and leaves of the plant are harvested. The grass is dried throughout the summer, the grains are harvested only after the fruits turn brown – in the second half of August. They just have the most value. During the drying process, the herb acquires a spicy smell, similar to the aroma of anise. To prevent the odor from escaping and damage to the raw material by harmful insects and diseases, it should be stored in a hermetically sealed glass container.

Cake – pomace obtained after extraction of fats and essential oils from seeds – serves as animal feed.

Application of coriander

This herb is an effective tonic, choleretic, antiseptic and expectorant. The essential oil contained in it is good for rheumatic and neurological pains, gently warming and soothing painful areas. Decoctions and infusions of plants treat metabolic disorders, various diseases of the stomach, stomach colic, neuroses. A decoction of grains is prescribed for neurasthenia, cystitis, hemorrhoids, flatulence, diarrhea and some skin diseases.

An ointment from the fruits is used for inflammation, a decoction of them stops bleeding from the nose. It is also a good anthelmintic, antiemetic and haemostatic agent. Pounded fruits treat animals for colic and worms. The plant is actively used to increase appetite and improve digestion, eliminate mild spasms of the digestive tract, flatulence, and diarrhea. In official German medicine, the plant extract is used for diseases of the abdominal cavity.

Seed infusion: in 400 ml of boiling water, pour 1 tablespoon of crushed seeds, leave for 1 hour, strain and take 1/2 cup of infusion four times a day before meals.

Decoction of seeds: 10 g of whole grains is required to pour 1 glass of water and boil over low heat for no more than 5 minutes, insist for an hour and strain. It is recommended to take 75 g of decoction 3 times a day before meals.

Coriander seeds

Plant seeds are quite widely used in various fields of human activity. It is an excellent raw material for perfumery, culinary, confectionery, bakery, brewing and liquor industries. Also, seeds are added to the composition of many medicines to improve the taste and aroma.

Grains have a bactericidal property, which makes it possible to use them in the treatment of various infectious diseases. Coriander seeds also improve brain and heart activity, have an invigorating effect, help with stress and tantrums, and also increase appetite, promote better absorption of food, have a positive effect on the performance of the sex glands, have carminative and diaphoretic properties, and help get rid of convulsions. Coriander is added to food for epileptics.

With the help of grains, you can get rid of the smell of alcohol from the mouth, they slow down the process of intoxication and relieve a hangover. However, coriander seeds should not be abused, at one time they can be eaten no more than 4 grams.

coriander oil

Essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of coriander fruits. It is a yellowish liquid with an aromatic smell and taste, which has a choleretic, analgesic, anti-hemorrhoid and antiseptic effect, it also enhances the secretion of the glands of the digestive tract. The oil serves as a raw material for the production of citral, used for keratitis and conjunctivitis. Fatty oil is used in the printing and textile industries, in the soap industry.

In folk medicine, coriander oil is recommended to improve memory, it helps with nervous fatigue. Essential oil has a hemostatic effect and is used for postpartum bleeding and for heavy and prolonged menstruation. It is added to ointments and used for rheumatic pains.

Coriander fruit

The fruits serve as the raw material for the production of essential oils. They are used to prepare decoctions, tinctures and infusions. Such healing agents have antimicrobial, wound healing, choleretic, analgesic, expectorant properties. Preparations from the plant improve digestion and treat some mental illnesses. Candied fruits effectively neutralize bad breath. They are used in the confectionery, canning, alcoholic beverage industry.

Cultivation of coriander

The plant can be grown all year round. It grows well in the summer on the balcony, and in the winter on the window. In order for the grain to rise faster, air-heat treatment of raw materials is used; it can also be germinated in wet sawdust. After germination, they are transplanted into pots or boxes with a moist soil mixture. Sow the seeds in rows to a depth of 1,5-2 cm, at a distance of 5-10 cm from each other.

Until shoots appear, the box with the ground must be covered with a film to retain moisture. After their appearance, it is best to move the container closer to the light and reduce the temperature to 10–12 ° C. Sprouts appear in 2–2,5 weeks. Plants are harvested from the 20th day after germination. The duration of the growing season can be up to 60 days.

Coriander seed

This annual herbaceous plant reaches 50 cm in height. Its fruits are used for medicinal and culinary purposes. They are harvested only after full ripening, since unripe fruits emit an unpleasant odor that resembles the smell of bedbugs and persists even after drying. High-quality raw materials have a pleasant spicy aroma, similar to the smell of lilies of the valley.

In Tibet, infusions and decoctions of coriander are used for metabolic disorders, neuroses and stomach cramps. In the Caucasus, on the basis of its fruits, ointments are prepared for various skin inflammations. In Central Asia, a decoction of grains is used for cystitis, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, flatulence and neurasthenia. In addition, herbal preparations improve appetite, relieve mild spasms of the gastrointestinal tract, expel worms and help with nosebleeds.

Contraindications to the use of coriander

In general, this herb is safe. However, you should follow the dosage and prescriptions of the doctor. The use of coriander for medicinal purposes should be abandoned for people suffering from coronary heart disease and having had a myocardial infarction, patients with gastritis with high acidity, thrombophlebitis, and diabetes mellitus. It should be used with caution in renal pathology. Abuse of drugs from the plant can lead to menstrual disorders in women, impaired memory and sleep.