Coriander Essential Oil is steam distilled from the seeds of a strongly aromatic hardy annual herb, growing about 1 meter high with bright-green leavens and dainty white flower as well as bunches of fruit that turn from green to brown as they ripen. Native to Europe and Western Asia, naturalized in North America, and cultivated throughout the world, the oil is mainly produced in Russia, Yugoslavia, and Romania.

Coriander has been a popular aromatic stimulant and culinary spice cultivated for over 3,000 years. Coriander is mentioned in all the medieval medical texts, by the Greeks, in the Bible, and by early Sanskrit writers. Indigenous to the Holy land, Coriander was compared by the Ancient Hebrews to the manna provided by God to the Children of Israel and was one of the bitter herbs eaten during Passover. The Ancient Egyptians believed it to the 'secret to happiness' and combined it with fresh garlic in wine to be drunk as an aphrodisiac. In fact, Coriander seeds were found in the tomb of Ramses II.

The seeds and leaves are widely used in Ayurvedic medicine. A featured herb used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a tonic of the Stomach and Heart, the herb in Ancient China was thought to promote longevity and ease pain. Traditionally classified as an herb of protection, Coriander oil imbues a feeling of peace, security, and steadfastness all of which are related to the earth element.

Energetically, Coriander oil is warm and dry in nature sharing many of the same digestive, carminative properties as other essential oils distilled from Umbelliferae plants; caraway and fennel included. In addition, Coriander has a slightly spicy and musky odor that is often described as euphoric and balanced the fire element with a sense of calm joy and creative energy. Similar to Cardamom, Coriander seed oil strengthens the function of the Spleen-pancreas and Stomach, and therefore invigorates the intellect. Coriander essential oil may help with respiratory infections, gout, measles, skin conditions (acne, psoriasis, and dermatitis).

Coriander assists in circulating Qi-energy in the Stomach and inner ecology making it an excellent digestive antispasmodic that is useful in instances of poor appetite, indigestion, nausea, and flatulence. It can also assist in circulating the Qi and dispersing of cold in cases of painful obstruction-the energetic condition now described as osteoarthritis, neuralgia, and rheumatic pain as well as muscle aches and pains.

Due to its estrogen content, Coriander oil may regulate and help control pain related to menstruation. Fortifying both the Qi and the nerves, the oil is indicated for general debility, mental fatigue, and nervous exhaustion as well as headaches and various other generalized stress patterns.

To learn more about the use of all our essential oils, we encourage you to visit The Ananda Apothecary Forums, where you can post questions regarding specific applications of each oil. Questions in the forums are regularly answered by Ananda Apothecary staff, and other experienced aromatherapy practitioners.