Dieticians vow that coriander is one of the best natural herbs for your overall health, from your face to your heart and all the way to your toes. And it can bring an end to your dermatological health complications.
According to registered dietician Leepile Mantjane, coriander seeds contain linoleic acid, which is effective in the remediation of dermal problems such as skin inflammation eczema, dry rashes and others.
What is coriander?
It is a herb often used by cooks and food lovers to flavour their dishes. It comes from the coriandrum sativum plant that is related to parsley, carrots and celery.
Mantjane says “coriander is a very popular medicinal plant that belongs to the Apiaceae family. It is also used in pharmacies and food industries.”
“In traditional remedies, coriander was used for relief of gastrointestinal maladies. Historically coriander was also used as an aphrodisiac, an antibiotic, a remedy for respiratory ailments and pain, and a treatment for loss of appetite and memory,” she adds.
Nutritional value of coriander
The use of spices is almost always associated with diseases like diabetes and cardiac diseases. Things are different with coriander, as it contains more nutrients than additives and salts.
“Its green foliage – which contains proteins, vitamins and minerals, fibres and carbohydrates – is used as a vegetable and in salads. Both its leaves and seeds contain essential oils, rich in varying components and they provide typical flavour, when added to the food products and act as preservatives.”
Registered dietician Leepile Mantjane
“However, due to usage in small quantities in foods, they are insignificant to contribute to nutritional requirements of humans,” Mantjane says.
Good for your health
According to clinical nutritionist and health coach Lynne Maccallum, coriander acts as an antioxidant, an anti-diabetic, an *anti-mutagenic, anti-anxiety, and an antimicrobial activity along with analgesic and hormone balancing effect.
“The antioxidants it contains help to reduce inflammation in the body. Activates enzymes that assist in processing blood glucose more efficiently. People who are taking diabetes medication need to be cautious when eating too much coriander due to its effectiveness in lowering blood sugar levels,” she says.
Coriander seeds can also be used for the treatment of common cold, flu and fever, seasonal body pains etc since its seeds possess high amounts of vitamins such as vitamin C, folic acid, vitamin A and beta-carotene.
Fabulous in food
Coriander seeds are usually toasted and ground before use, otherwise, they can have a tough texture to chew. Home cook and Cape Town-based caterer Paschelle Moodley says coriander is commercially sold in its fresh form as herbs.
“The beauty of this spice is that its flavours differ vastly from fresh herbs to dried whole and ground seeds. It is very versatile in both sweet and savoury applications. It works well with different kinds of meat, chicken included, as well as sweet pastries. It is a great pickling spice and is also used in distilling gin and brewing beer.”
Caterer Paschelle Moodley
Moodley adds that coriander can be made into pesto, used in guacamole and salads. She says the dried seeds can be gently roasted and crushed and sprinkled over olive oil or yogurt and be served as a dip.
Make coriander dip and pesto
Maccallum shares the best meals in which you can add a bit of coriander to add some flavour:
Coriander and Avo dip
INGREDIENTS
1 clove garlic
1 tsp sumac
Juice of ½ lemon
1 bunch of coriander
1 avo, de-pipped and diced
1 green chilli with seeds removed
50ml olive oil
METHOD:
- Blend together in a food processor to a puree, stir in olive oil and serve with roasted veggies or raw crudité.
Coriander pesto
½ cup lightly toasted cashews (in a dry pan on the stove top)
3 cups coriander leaves and stems
1 clove garlic
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
⅔ cup hard cheese e.g. parmesan
METHOD:
- Blend and serve with crackers as a dip, over chicken or fish.
