dhaniya

Dhaniya, Dhanyaka or Coriander botanical name is Coriandrum sativum. Coriander plant grows annually but according to conditions, can grow in summer or in winter. The plant can grow up to 2 feet and can spread around up to 9 inches. Coriander roots are pale brown color with tap root system. Coriander stems are sympoidal and have monochasial branches. Every branch of the Coriander plant shows effect of inflorescence.

Color of the stem is generally green, but turns to red to violet due to the season of flowers. Coriander leaves are of alternate type and gather in the form of rosette. This plant is a kind of diversifolious. First, the blade shapes are either have three lobes or tripinnatifid. On the other hand, the leaves of the nodes are pinnatifid. The compound shows inflorescence is known as umbel. Flowering of the plants starts with first umbel. In the every classification.

Classification

Habitat

Dhanyaka is widely distributed in Italy, central, Eastern Europe and Mediterranean areas like in Egypt and Morocco. It is also widely cultivated in Bangladesh, China, England and India. Ukraine is one of the major essential oil production country. In India, it is found especially in Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Vernacular Names

• Latin– Coriandrum sativum
• Sanskrit– dhanyaka, Dhanika, Dhania Vitunnaka
• Hindi– dhania, dhanya
• English– coriander, Chinese parsley, collender
• Bengali– Dhane, Dhania
• Marathi– Dhaue, Kothimbir
• Kashmiri– Dhaniwal, Dhanawal
• Punjabi– Dhania
• Tamil– Kottamalli, Viral dhania
• Gujarati– Dhana
• Telugu– Dhaniyalu
• Urdu– Kishneez
• Portugese– Coentro
• Italian– Coriandolo
• German– Koriander
• Japanese– Koendoro
• Arab– Kuzbara, kuzbura
• Armenian– Chamem
• Chinese– Yuan sui, husui

Ayurvedic Properties of Coriander

Effect on Doshas

Coriander balances and controls all three doshas pitta, kapha and vata.

Practical Uses of Coriander

• The Dhaniya Plant is full of minerals as phosphorous, vitamins like A and C, antioxidants. These are found in its essential oil and the beta carotene is also there in its leaves. All the chemical constituents are helpful to cure vision disorders and stress in eyes.
• This plant has various chemicals and enzymes help to cure indigestion, peristaltic movements and anorexia.
• Plant is used to treat seasonal allergies, allergy due to plants, insects or food, hay fever and more.
• Cineole and other acids in essential oil helps to cure skin inflammation. It also shows effect on dry skin, eczema and skin fungal infections.
• Acids present in essential oil and vitamins in the plant reduce the level of LDL in heart arteries and veins and cholesterol level which further can lead to serious ailments like heart attacks and atherosclerosis. It is also helpful in raising the levels of HDL.
• Components of essential oils help to treat mouth ulcers.
• As it is a great source of calcium. So helps in bone regrowth.
• It controls proper stimulation of endocrine secretions, so help to maintain proper menstrual cycles and also lowers the pain.
• This stimulates the proper level of insulin in the blood due to which diabetes and blood sugar levels can be controlled.

Parts used

Fruits, Whole plant, leaves.