Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is not listed in Haliburton Flora, nor in many foraging books. But it is seedy and can escape cultivation. Plus, you may have it amongst your kitchen spices.
Edible Uses of Coriander
Hereabouts, dried coriander seed is a popular kitchen spice. It flavours many curries, meat dishes, breads and even liquor.
The leaf is popular as well, in which case it gets called an entirely different sounding name: cilantro. Yes, coriander and cilantro are the same plant. There seems to be a genetic component to whether one likes the taste of cilantro or not (it tastes like soap to some). But if you do, you can use the young leaves and shoots in salad and more.
The roots can also be cooked as a vegetable.
My favourite use of coriander seed is in Moosewood’s West African Groundnut Stew:
West African Groundnut Stew Recipe
- 2 Sweet potatoes, boiled and mashed
- 2 TBSP oil
- 1 TSP crushed coriander seeds
- 3 Cloves garlic, minced
- 3 TBSP ginger root, grated
- 1/2 TSP cayenne powder
- 4 C chopped onions
- 2 chopped large tomatoes or one can diced
- 4 C eggplant, peeled and cubed
- 1 C zucchini or yellow squash, cubed (FYI in lieu of eggplant, you can just use more zucchini)
- 2 C green pepper, chopped
- 2 C tomato juice
- 1 C peanut butter, can be natural or sweetened or a mix thereof (FYI I use twice as the original recipe calls for)
- Salt and pepper to taste
While the sweet potatoes boil, sauté the spices, garlic, ginger and onions in oil in a large pot for about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes to the sauté and bring to simmer. Then add the mashed sweet potatoes, eggplant, squash, green pepper and tomato juice (to desired consistency) and continue to simmer another 20 minutes. Finally, add the peanut butter, salt and pepper to taste. Stir well. You can leave this chunky or use a hand blender to preferred texture. I usually serve the stew with couscous on the side.
Medicinal Uses of Coriander
Coriander is primarily said to support these body systems:
- Digestive
- Integumentary
- Reproductive
- Respiratory
- Urinary
Medicinal tags include Alterative, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Carminative, Stimulant. See Medicinal tag key for more information.
Common usage is the seeds used for gripe water; to treat flatulence. Coriander, caraway, cumin and fennel are all used similarly for indigestion. Sometimes the essential oil is distilled from the fruits for a colic treatment.
Like dandelion root tea, cranberry juice and other preventive measures familiar to those who suffer from chronic urinary tract infections, the seeds may help ward off UTIs. There are quite a few uses beyond this!
Another common use is for disguising the taste of less palatable herbal medicines.
Alternative Uses of Cilantro
The essential oil is used in soaps and perfumes.
The dried seeds may be found in potpourri.
Growing Coriandrum Sativum
For those growing herbs for food, coriander/cilantro is one of the lower maintenance kitchen herbs. It likes warm, dry and airy soil. It may reseed itself in and around the vicinity of the pot you grow it in.
WARNINGS
The seeds are narcotic if consumed in excess.
And the Usual Cautions:
1) Most medicinal herbs, if edible, are meant to be eaten in moderation, even sparingly. Some require extra preparation. Tannins are toxic if consumed in excess. Before taking any new supplements, you should consult with a healthcare professional.
2) A vast amount of these herbs are diuretic. (See the Medicinal tags above to check if this featured herb is one of them!) Diuretics are generally safe, but they can be risky for people with other medical conditions or who take certain medications. Please consult your doctor if you have any health conditions.
3) People can be allergic or sensitive to nearly any plant; try new herbs one at a time at your own risk. For instance, saponins commonly cause stomach upset.
4) For serious medicinal use, I must recommend receiving a diagnosis and working with a reputed health care provider. I generally do not post specific treatments and dosages because I think that is best between you and your health care provider, and ideally monitored.
5) Anyone pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription drugs should talk to a health care professional before adding new food items to their diet.
6) Many plants have look-a-likes, and sometimes they are poisonous.
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REFERENCES
My new favourite foraging book is Sam Thayer’s Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants of Eastern & Central North America and this plant IS NOT featured in his book. Which to the least means it isn’t a popular edible. I highly recommend this thorough guide for your bookshelves!
https://data.canadensys.net/vascan/taxon/2567?lang=en
The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine
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