What is Coriander? Learn How to Cook With Spices and Make Coriander Recipes

When someone asks, what is Coriander it can be confusing, especially since Coriander seeds are the produced by the plant most people know as Cilantro. The scientific name for Cilantro is Coriandrum sativum and is how many herbalists refer to this plant's seeds.

Coriander Tea

Confusing as it may be fresh Cilantro leaves are often a primary ingredient in spicy dishes and salsas, while Coriander seeds are more often used in beverages both hot and cold. Often combined with cinnamon, ginger, black pepper and cloves to create Yogi Tea, Coriander seeds provide nutrition and health benefits as well as a tasty beverage.

Relaxing teas can be created at home using many spices that are on hand. Combining one quarter teaspoon of Cardamom, Coriander and Fennel seeds steeped in two cups of boiling water and sweetened to taste provides a relaxing cup of tea that may relax tense muscles while relieving stress. All three of these spices are considered to be carminative in nature, which means they can be beneficial to digestion.

What is Coriander Fresh?

About one teaspoon of the fresh Coriander plant contains only one calorie and yet provides 5% of the daily requirement of Vitamin A, 15% of Vitamin K and 1% of Potassium, Manganese, Vitamin E and Folate Acid while providing almost 2% of the required amounts of Calcium and Vitamin C. That is a lot of nutrition for such a small amount and when you consider that many salsa recipes require up to one cup of fresh Coriander, also known as Cilantro, eating healthier will be easy.

All parts of the Coriander plant are edible so when you ask, what is coriander consider how many other valuable assets this easily grown plant contains. Cilantro can be grown indoors and out in all agricultural zones from seed to seed takes about six weeks and while the plant is growing you can harvest the leaves to eat raw or added to salads, sandwiches, soups plus it is easily dried for later use.

What is Coriander Health?

This plant has shown great promise as an alternative therapy for the treatment of high cholesterol and menstrual disorders. Coriander contains many flavonoids including quercitin, rhamnetin and epigenin plus phenolic compounds all of which are anti-oxidants that help the body heal itself.

Coriander is a safe, effective, natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent which can help fight athlete's foot, fungal nail infections and prevent infections from occurring. Soaking Coriander seeds in water or oil allows the beneficial compounds to be applied directly onto the affected area and a weak solution of water and crushed Coriander seeds help soothe conjunctivitis. Additionally overeating, flatulence and stomach aches often respond to mild Coriander tea. Research is currently underway that may lead to an alternative treatment for food poisoning and prevention due to the natural anti-bacterial properties of this plant.

What is Coriander Beauty?

Include cosmetics and skin care products when thinking about Coriander

• The anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties allow the crushed seeds soaked in water or oil to help combat acne.


• Ground Coriander can be added to yogurt creating a healthy, pimple fighting nutritious facial.


• Soaking Coriander seeds in Sunflower, Almond or Olive oil results in an oil that can be used to soothe skin tissues, especially those that are healing from injury or sunburn.

Choosing to eat better and improve health may be as easy as adding a cup of homemade Yogi Tea to your daily routine or perhaps a fresh salad created with vegetables and spices you have grown in your back yard.

Tomato, Onion and Coriander Salad by Bill Granger

• 3 ripe Tomatoes sliced


• 1 white salad onion sliced thin


• 2 Tablespoons chopped coriander leaves


• 2 Tablespoons Lime juice (fresh sliced lime can also be used)


• ½ teaspoon sea salt (Light Salt can also be used)

Place tomato slices on a large serving plate or on individual salad plates, then place onion slices on top of tomato slices. Sprinkle the chopped Coriander on top of the onions.

If using individual salad plates place lime slice on the edge, then sprinkle the salad with lime juice adding the salt last.

Knowing what is Coriander allows you more healthy food and beverage choices, skin care options and a safe easy way for you to eat your vitamins.

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