The annual or biennial plant is a native of Morocco and grows to about 1 meter in height. It has sparse, fine, feathery leaves and pinkish/white flowers, which are followed by green seeds. The leaves, when crushed, give off an unpleasant odor like squashed bugs. The Greek name ‘Koris’ (for bug) is the root word for Coriander. The seeds have been used for thousands of years by the Egyptians, as an aphrodisiac (with seeds even found in the tomb of Tutankhamun) and by the Romans and Greeks to flavor their wines, while the Indians use it in their cooking. The Carmelite order in France used the seeds to flavor their 17th century toilet water. It is still used in Chartreuse and Benedictine liqueurs.

Coriander oil is extracted from the crushed ripe seeds by steam distillation and yields 0.8 – 1.0 % oil.

The therapeutic properties of coriander oil are analgesic, aphrodisiac, antispasmodic, carminative, depurative, deodorant, digestive, carminative, fungicidal, lipolytic, stimulant and stomachic.

The main chemical components are borneol, linalool, cineole, cymene, terpineol, dipentene, phellandrene, pinene and terpinolene.

Coriander essential oil can be useful to refresh and to uplift the mind. It can help for mental fatigue, migraine, tension and nervous weakness. It has a warming effect on the stomach and relieves wind and cramps, while revitalizing the glandular system. It is helpful for alleviating rheumatism and arthritis pain, as well as muscle spasms and is useful with colds and flu. It also acts as a general cleanser of the body, to rid it of toxins and fluid wastes.

In vapor therapy, coriander oil can stimulate the mind and ease fatigue, while assisting with eating disorders and improving appetite. Diluted in a bath or ingredient in massage oil.

Coriander oil can help assist the digestive system, ease rheumatism and arthritis pain and muscular spasm, while detoxifying the body.

As part of a cream or lotion, coriander oil can help with tension, mental fatigue, migraine, muscle spasms, arthritis and rheumatism pains and digestive problems, but should be used with care, as it may irritate some individual’s skin.

Although most essential oils blend well together, coriander oil blends particularly well with Bergamot, Cinnamon, Ginger, Grapefruit, Lemon, Neroli and Orange.