Talk:Dhanyaka
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Dhanyaka |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Coriandrum sativum L. |
| Family | Apiaceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Coriandrum sativum L., popularly known as Dhanyaka (Coriander), is an annual herbaceous plant of the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae). Its seeds (fruits) and fresh aerial parts are used as a culinary spice and as a medicinal drug in Ayurveda for digestive, antipyretic and burning conditions.
English name
Coriander
Therapeutic uses
Atisara (diarrhoea), Chardi (vomiting), Daha (burning sensation), Jwara (fever), Trushna (thirst), Ajirna (indigestion)[1]
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
Dhanyaka (having seeds like cereals), Dhanya, Shungaverika, Kustumburu (fruits of Dhanyaka resemble Tumburu), Chhatra, Dhaneyaka, Kunati, Dhanak, Dhana, Dhenuka, Chatra, Vitunnak, Kustumbar
Varieties
- Gramya
- Vanya
Traditional Context
In Ayurvedic texts Dhanyaka is regarded as Tridoshahara (pacifying all three doshas), with sweet post-digestion effect (madhura vipaka) and hot potency (ushna veerya). It is used in formulations for kindling digestion and for fever.
Ayurvedic pharmacological properties
| Sr.no. | Pharmacological criteria | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (rasa) | Astringent (kashaya), Bitter (tikta) |
| 2 | Potency (veerya) | Hot (ushna) |
| 3 | Post digestion effect (vipaka) | Sweet (madhura) |
| 4 | Qualities (guna) | Light (laghu), Unctuous (snigdha) |
| 5 | Actions (karma) | Pacify all three doshas (tridoshahara) |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions
| Sr.no. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(42) | Sheetaprashamana mahakashaya (pacifying cold) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 23/20 | Santarpanajanya vikara chikitsa (disease due to over-nutrition) |
| 3 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 27/171 | Harita Varga (Class of green herbs) |
| 4 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 27/173 | Harita Varga (Class of green herbs) |
| 5 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 27/307 | Krutanna Varga |
| 6 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/135 | Vamana dravyani (emetic dravya) |
| 7 | Cha.Sa.Kalpa Sthana 7/40 | Kalyanaka Guda |
| 8 | Cha.Sa.Kalpa Sthana 7/54 | Trivrittadi Modaka |
| 9 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/183 | Used as peya with amla in Jwaraatisara |
| 10 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/267 | As an ingredient of Agurvadi taila |
| 11 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/65 | Ingredient in Trayushanaadi ghrita |
| 12 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/69 | Ingredient of Hingusauvarchaladya ghrita |
| 13 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/74 | Ingredient of Pippalyadya ghrita |
| 14 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/80 | Ingredient of Hingvadi churna |
| 15 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/86 | Ingredient of Shatyadi churna |
| 16 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/111 | As a diet in Gulma (abdominal lump) |
| 17 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 8/70 | Pathya diet for pinasa in treatment of rajayakshma |
| 18 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 8/137 | As a kavala dravya for mukhashodhanartha |
| 19 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 8/142 | Ingredient in Yavani shadav |
| 20 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 11/86 | Ingredient in Saindhavadi churna |
| 21 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 11/88 | Ingredient in Shadav |
| 22 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/55 | Ingredient of Chitrakadi ghrita |
| 23 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/65 | For lepa, abhyangadi bahyaprayogartha |
| 24 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/110 | In treatment of udara roga (for parisheka) |
| 25 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/125 | As an ingredient of Narayana churna |
| 26 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/72 | As an ingredient of Takrarishta |
| 27 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/89 | Used in peya, khada yusha, ghrita, siddhanta jala |
| 28 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/103 | Use with phanita and goghrita; removes vata and vibandha |
| 29 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/106 | As an ingredient of Nagaradya ghrita |
| 30 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/110 | Used as anupana in arsha (hemorrhoids) |
| 31 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/129 | Used in peya, khada yusha, ghrita, siddhanta jala |
| 32 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/142 | Used as peya padartha in Kaphaja grahani |
| 33 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 16/44 | As an ingredient of Dadimadi ghrita |
| 34 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/20 | As a pramathya dravya |
| 35 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/26 | As an ingredient of dipaniya and sangrahi gana |
| 36 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/40 | As a yoga dravya in treatment of purisha kshaya |
| 37 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/44 | As an ingredient of Chavyadi ghrita |
| 38 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/105 | As a kwatha dravya |
| 39 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/110 | As a yoga dravya |
| 40 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 20/23 | As a yusha prayoga in Vataja chhardi |
| 41 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 20/24 | Ghritapana in Vataja chhardi |
| 42 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 20/31 | As a pana yoga in Pittaja chhardi |
| 43 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 23/95 | As an ingredient of Rishabhakadi agada |
| 44 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 24/128 | Used as anupana in Vataja madatyaya as an ingredient of trijataka |
| 45 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 24/130 | Used as anupana in Vataja madatyaya |
| 46 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 24/183 | Used in pachana |
Dose
- 1–3 g of drug in powder form[1]
Important formulation
As per A.P.I.
- Dhanyapanchaka kwatha churna
Current availability
Available
- In India – Cultivated extensively throughout India as a common spice and crop.
Phytoconstituents
Coriander is a source of lipids rich in petroselinic acid and of an essential oil rich in linalool, both obtained from the seeds and the aerial parts.[2]
Pharmacological Activities and Therapeutic Efficacy
All studies below are preclinical (animal or in vitro). No controlled human clinical trial is cited in this monograph.
Digestive and gut-modulatory activity (Ajirna, Atisara)
The crude extract of coriander fruit stimulated the isolated guinea-pig ileum through an atropine-sensitive (cholinergic) effect, whereas in rabbit jejunum it produced contraction followed, in the presence of atropine, by relaxation similar to a calcium channel blocker. The authors suggested this may explain its use in dyspepsia, abdominal colic and diarrhoea.[3]
Antioxidant activity
In rats fed a high-fat diet, coriander seeds significantly decreased the levels of lipid peroxides, free fatty acids and glutathione, whereas the activity of antioxidant enzymes increased.[4]
Anti-inflammatory activity (Daha)
The hydroalcoholic seed extract showed anti-inflammatory activity in the carrageenan-induced paw oedema model and anti-granuloma activity in the cotton-pellet and adjuvant-stimulated macrophage models in rats, which the authors considered to support its traditional use in arthritis and other inflammatory disorders.[5]
Antidiabetic activity
Coriander in the diet (62.5 g/kg) and drinking water (2.5 g/l) reduced hyperglycaemia of streptozotocin-diabetic mice, and an aqueous extract stimulated insulin secretion from a clonal B-cell line and glucose uptake in isolated mouse muscle.[6]
Safety, Toxicity and Dosage
- Toxicity: No toxicity study could be verified for this monograph, so no toxicity statement is made.
- Precautions (no experimental reference cited): Persons with known hypersensitivity to Apiaceae plants should be cautious. As the studies above report glucose-lowering and blood-pressure-lowering effects in animals, persons on antidiabetic or antihypertensive medicines should use medicinal amounts only under medical supervision.
- Standard therapeutic dose: Seed powder (churna) 1–3 g daily, or as directed by an Ayurvedic physician (see Dose above).
Summary of Therapeutic Profile
| Indication | Part / preparation studied | Principal finding |
|---|---|---|
| Indigestion, colic, diarrhoea / Ajirna, Atisara | Fruit crude extract | Cholinergic gut stimulation and calcium-antagonist-like relaxation in isolated tissues |
| Oxidative stress | Seeds in diet | Reduced lipid peroxides and raised antioxidant enzymes in rats |
| Burning, inflammation / Daha | Seed hydroalcoholic extract | Anti-inflammatory and anti-granuloma activity in rats |
| Hyperglycaemia | Diet and aqueous extract | Lower blood glucose in diabetic mice; insulin-releasing activity in vitro |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 1: 21.
- ↑ Sahib, N. G.; Anwar, F.; Gilani, A. H.; Hamid, A. A.; Saari, N.; Alkharfy, K. M. (2013). "Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.): a potential source of high-value components for functional foods and nutraceuticals - a review". Phytotherapy Research. 27 (10): 1439–1456. doi:10.1002/ptr.4897.
- ↑ Jabeen, Q.; Bashir, S.; Lyoussi, B.; Gilani, A. H. (2009). "Coriander fruit exhibits gut modulatory, blood pressure lowering and diuretic activities". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 122 (1): 123–130.
- ↑ Chithra, V.; Leelamma, S. (1999). "Coriandrum sativum changes the levels of lipid peroxides and activity of antioxidant enzymes in experimental animals". Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics. 36 (1): 59–61.
- ↑ Nair, V.; Singh, S.; Gupta, Y. K. (2013). "Anti-granuloma activity of Coriandrum sativum in experimental models". Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine. 4 (1): 13–18. doi:10.4103/0975-9476.109544.
- ↑ Gray, A. M.; Flatt, P. R. (1999). "Insulin-releasing and insulin-like activity of the traditional anti-diabetic plant Coriandrum sativum (coriander)". British Journal of Nutrition. 81 (3): 203–209. PMID 10434846.