11 Surprising Health Benefits Of Coriander Leaves You Should Know

Introduction

Coriander leaves, widely regarded as one of the oldest herbs, are known to enhance the visual appeal and flavour of a dish. While all parts of the coriander plant are edible, it is the fresh, aromatic leaves and dried seeds that are most commonly incorporated into Indian recipes. 

This article focuses on Dhaniya or Coriander Leaves, which is also referred to as Cilantro by some. The name Coriander is derived from the Greek word koris, meaning stink bug, likely because of its distinctive aroma released by the leaves when they are chopped or bruised. 

Coriander is a herb with a history that dates back to 5000 BC and is thought to have originated in Italy. Surprisingly, despite its non-Indian origins, coriander has become an integral part of every Indian household. Indian recipes are considered incomplete without the addition of coriander leaves, making it even more intriguing to explore this modest yet essential herb. 

Nutrition Facts About Coriander Leaves

Coriander Leaves are a rich source of vitamin A and vitamin C, providing essential nutrients that contribute to overall health. In addition to these vitamins, coriander leaves contain dietary fibre, iron, manganese, calcium, vitamin K, and phosphorus. 

This remarkable herb also consists of 11 essential oils, is low in saturated fat, and contains a significant amount of linoleic acid, which offers numerous health benefits. 100 grams of coriander leaves may contain approximately 87.9% moisture, 6.5% carbohydrates  3.3% protein, 0.14% calcium, 0.06% phosphorus, and 0.01% iron. They also provide 60 mg of vitamin B₂, 0.8 mg of niacin, 135 mg of vitamin C, and 10,460 IU of vitamin A¹. 

Health Benefits of Coriander Leaves

1. May Promote Healthy Vision

Coriander leaves have long been recommended by our grandmothers for promoting healthy eyes. This is because of their high content of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids, all of which contribute to maintaining good vision². Research³ has also shown that regular consumption of coriander may also help in the healing of conjunctivitis. 

2. Support the Immune System

Coriander leaves are a valuable source of vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin A, all of which play a crucial role in enhancing the immune system. Vitamin C, in particular, supports the effective functioning of white blood cells and helps in the absorption of iron, further strengthening immunity over time¹.  

3. Help Manage Blood Sugar Levels

The vibrant green colour of coriander is due to its rich antioxidant content, which helps stimulate enzyme activity. This, in turn, promotes insulin secretion, which helps reduce blood sugar levels. Incorporating coriander into daily meals or consuming coriander-infused water may prove beneficial for individuals managing high blood sugar levels⁴. 

4. May Help Lower Bad Cholesterol

High cholesterol is now recognised as a common and significant health concern. Regular consumption of coriander leaves may help reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels while improving HDL (good) cholesterol, contributing to better cardiovascular health⁵. 

5. May Improve Bone Health

Coriander leaves are rich in minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, manganese, and magnesium. Additionally, their anti-inflammatory properties may help protect the bones, alleviating pain associated with arthritis⁶. 

6. May Help Improve Gut Health

Coriander leaves are a good source of fibre, which can help alleviate digestive issues. They are also being studied for their potential to address various digestive concerns, including stomach upset, diarrhoea, bowel spasms, gas, and nausea².  

7. May Contain Beneficial Properties for Skin Health

Coriander leaves are rich in iron, vitamin E, and vitamin A, which may help reduce free radicals that can damage the skin. Additionally, coriander acts as a remedy for oily skin by absorbing excess oil. Its antimicrobial, antiseptic, and antifungal properties also contribute to soothing and cooling the skin⁷.  

8. Support Heart Health

Coriander extract has been studied for its potential diuretic properties, which help eliminate excess water and sodium from the body⁸. This process can contribute to lowering blood pressure and as previously noted, assist in managing cholesterol levels. These properties may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Furthermore, coriander is often used as a garnish and flavouring, and incorporating it into meals may help decrease sodium intake by reducing the need for additional salt seasoning. 

9. May Protect the Brain

A study⁹ has shown that coriander extract may protect brain cells from damage and improve memory in mice. This effect is likely attributed to coriander’s anti-inflammatory properties, as many forms of brain degeneration are linked to inflammation.  

10. May Contain Antimicrobial Benefits

Coriander possesses antimicrobial properties that can help combat infections, including foodborne illnesses, due to its plant compounds. One such compound, Dodecenal, has shown particular effectiveness against Salmonella infections. Additionally, coriander seeds have demonstrated protective qualities in fighting urinary tract infections. The oil derived from coriander can also be incorporated into antimicrobial products to address food-related diseases¹⁰. The benefits of coriander in combating infections may be obtained either by consuming the herb directly or by using various products that contain coriander extracts.  

11. Can be Incorporated in Everyday Cooking

Coriander can be easily incorporated into the diet. Fresh coriander leaves are widely available in most fresh produce markets, while coriander seeds, dried leaves, and powder can be found in many grocery stores. The leaves can be added to salads or used as a garnish for various dishes. Coriander seeds are suitable for use in roasts, baked goods, pickles, vegetable preparations, and other cooked meals. Additionally, coriander can be blended with ingredients such as garlic, lemon juice, coconut milk, and peanuts to create a flavourful marinade. 

Like mint and many other herbs, coriander leaves are now used as an ingredient in mouthwashes. Coriander leaves are believed to have antioxidant and antifungal properties, which may help in maintaining oral health¹².

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

How to Use Coriander Leaves?

You can add coriander to dals, sabzis, salads, or raitas for enhanced flavour and nutritional benefits. For skincare, a paste made from fresh coriander leaves can be applied to the skin and washed off after 15 minutes. 

Fresh coriander juice is beneficial in meeting daily vitamin and mineral requirements. It may be consumed as one glass per day or by adding 1 to 2 teaspoons to a glass of buttermilk. 

Coriander leaves can also be incorporated into snacks or breakfast items such as non-fried kothambir wadi, dhania paratha, or coriander tomato salsa to name a few. 

Including coriander leaves in your regular diet may be beneficial but ensure to consult with a doctor before making any changes to your diet.  

Precautions with Coriander Extract

Coriander and its extract may significantly lower blood pressure, potentially interfering with prescribed blood pressure medications. This may cause hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure). Symptoms of hypotension include anxiety, palpitations, sweating, and hunger. It is advisable to consume only a small amount of coriander daily, and even less when using its extract. Blood pressure should be monitored regularly, and any concerns should be reported to a doctor. Medical advice should be taken before continuing daily consumption of coriander extract as it may have a pronounced effect on blood pressure.

Based on some studies¹¹, consuming coriander leaves might have sedative effects and might help with insomnia and anxiety in some people. 

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Conclusion

Coriander leaves impart an aromatic flavour and refreshing fragrance to a variety of Indian dishes, including dals, sabzis, soups, and curries. In addition, daily consumption of fresh coriander leaves may support immunity, reduce bad cholesterol, soothe the skin, improve digestion, regulate blood sugar levels, and promote bone health. Including this distinctive herb in your recipes may contribute to enhancing overall well-being. 

References

1. Nadeem M, Muhammad Anjum F, Issa Khan M, Tehseen S, El‐Ghorab A, Iqbal Sultan J. Nutritional and medicinal aspects of coriander (CoriandrumsativumL.). British Food Journal [Internet]. 2013 May 10 [cited 2025 May 8];115(5):743–55. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236879895_Nutritional_and_medicinal_aspects_of_coriander_Coriandrum_sativum_L_A_review  
2. Chaurasia PK, Bharati SL. Coriander: A holistic outlook on its chemistry and pharmacology. Food Chemistry [Internet]. 2024 Dec 11 [cited 2025 May 8];469:142444. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814624040949  
3. Holey PP, Gajbhiye PR, Dewani AP, Kohale NB, Aware NP. Current Updated Review on Prevention and Management of Conjunctivitis: A Comparative Study of Herbal and Pharmaceutical Management. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research [Internet]. 2023 Oct [cited 2025 May 8];82(2). Available from: https://globalresearchonline.net/ijpsrr/v82-2/09.pdf  
4. David R, Nandhini V. Effectiveness of coriander seed powder to reduce blood sugar level among pre-diabetic clients. Int J Adv Res Community Health Nurs. 2020;2(2):123-5. Available from: https://www.communitynursing.net/article/view/50/2-2-26  
5. Dhanapakiam P, Joseph JM, Ramaswamy VK, Moorthi M, Kumar AS. The cholesterol lowering property of coriander seeds (Coriandrum sativum): mechanism of action. J Environ Biol. 2008 Jan;29(1):53-6. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18831331/  
6. Rajeshwari CU, Siri S, Andallu B. Antioxidant and antiarthritic potential of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) leaves. e-SPEN J. 2012 Oct;7(5):e223–e228. doi:10.1016/j.clnme.2012.09.005. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212826312000498
7. Hwang E, Lee DG, Park SH, Oh MS, Kim SY. Coriander leaf extract exerts antioxidant activity and protects against UVB-induced photoaging of skin by regulation of procollagen type I and MMP-1 expression. J Med Food. 2014 Sep;17(9):985-95. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2013.2999. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4152784/  
8. Patel DK, Desai SN, Gandhi HP, Devkar RV, Ramachandran AV. Cardio protective effect of Coriandrum sativum L. on isoproterenol induced myocardial necrosis in rats. Food Chem Toxicol. 2012 Sep;50(9):3120-5. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2012.06.033. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22750725/  
9. Mima Y, Izumo N, Chen JR, Yang SC, Furukawa M, Watanabe Y. Effects of Coriandrum sativum Seed Extract on Aging-Induced Memory Impairment in Samp8 Mice. Nutrients. 2020 Feb 11;12(2):455. doi: 10.3390/nu12020455. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7071483/  
10. Kubo I, Fujita K, Kubo A, Nihei K, Ogura T. Antibacterial activity of coriander volatile compounds against Salmonella choleraesuis. J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Jun 2;52(11):3329-32. doi: 10.1021/jf0354186. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15161192/  
11. Gastón MS, Cid MP, Vázquez AM, Decarlini MF, Demmel GI, Rossi LI, Aimar ML, Salvatierra NA. Sedative effect of central administration of Coriandrum sativum essential oil and its major component linalool in neonatal chicks. Pharm Biol. 2016 Oct;54(10):1954–61. doi:10.3109/13880209.2015.1137602. Epub 2016 Feb 25. PMID: 26911626. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26911626/
12. Hanashiro CT, González AHM. Coriandrum sativum (Coriander) in oral health: literature review. J Health Sci. 2021 Sep 20;23(3):195–198. doi:10.17921/2447-8938.2021v23n3p195-198. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/354922837_Coriandrum_sativum_Coriander_in_Oral_Health_Literature_Review

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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