Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)

Originally from Eastern lands, this annual plant just over half a meter in height is well suited to land-lime without much moisture. It has a straight stem with distinct longitudinal grooves. We can distinguish two types of leaves: those at the bottom, which are divided into large lobes and resemble the leaves of parsley, and those at the top, who have lost the traditional look of leaves and are lacinias . The fresh plant has an unpleasant odor that disappears progressively as one proceeds to dry.

FLOWERING

The flowering season lasts from May, resulting in some flowers that are arranged in small umbels of up to eight radios, these flowers are white, involucre lacking in its base and only have a single bract. They have five petals and calyx consists of five sepals. The fruit is round and ribs that has become visible. Interestingly, the seeds can germinate after being stored for eight years even, unlike the other plants of the same family, whose period is much shorter. To collect proceeds from midmorning until late afternoon, the umbels are cut when the fruit becomes straw color, drying in the sun and away from sources of moisture.

APPLICATIONS

The fruit contains essential oils that can make up as 1% of its weight and is rich in coriandrol pinene, which gives it a gastrointestinal antispasmodic action level, being used in gastrointestinal spasms and slow digestion. It also has carminative and eupeptic action, so it is useful for cases of bloat. But the use of this essential oil can lead to the onset of seizures if they exceed the doses prescribed by the physician. Has also been used to relieve rheumatic pains at the joints, due to its analgesic effect.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion. Twenty-five grams are added the fruit to a liter of freshly boiled water and still retain the heat, steeping for ten minutes, stirring occasionally, fluid can be obtained for a cup after the larger meal of the day.
Tincture. Usually has a wealth of 1:5, ie one gram of plant will get five grams of dye. It is administered at a rate of fifteen drops in half a glass of water after meals.
For external use. This plant has been used in the preparation of lotions and creams to apply to joint areas with rheumatic pains.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Umbelliferae
HABITAT: Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East
FLOWERING: May
PART USED: Fruit
CASTILIAN: Coriandro
CATALAN: Coriandre
BASQUE: Martorri
GALICIAN: Coentro

USES

Moderate Carminative, Mild antibiotic, Mild inflammatory.