This is one of the most ancient essential oils, and it is also one of my personal favorites. I know, I know, all essential oils are great. Well, you know what? I disagree. They are clearly not all great. Not for me, anyway. It is a personal preference thing, and it is totally subjective.
I am very fond of them and can appreciate their potency and place in the world, but I consider a handful of them to be elevated and on a much higher level (albeit for personal reasons). One of those “noble essential oils” is coriander. So, what is it about coriander essential oil that attracts not only me, but plenty of others as well?
What is Coriander Essential Oil? How Is It Made?
Coriandrum Sativum
Coriander oil is the product of Coriandrum sativum. It is also known as cilantro and Chinese parsley. Though all parts of the plant can be used, it is the dried fruit and fresh leaves which are usually found in the culinary arts.
The fruit is also known as ‘coriander seeds’, and when preparing food, ‘coriander’ invariably refers to the fruit/seeds for use as a spice, and not the leaves. Unless, of course, the book specifically calls for fresh leaves of coriander.
The essential oil of coriander is produced by steam-distilling the fruit of the smaller varieties of coriander, since those seem to hold the most oil in them. Steam distillation is the process through which many essential oils are produced, and it is a reliable method for separating organic materials from one another. In fact, other methods just don’t yield the same kind of purity, and often they are considered to be second-class essential oil. Of course, this is only true in the event that steam can be used to produce the oil, but another method is chosen.
Insulin, be it overproduction or underproduction, is no joke. Whether it is type I or type II, there are ways of combating the symptoms and related complications.
What can coriander oil do for diabetes? Well, some claim it can cure it, others claim it can prevent and/or mitigate it. Studies on the seeds of coriander are still being conducted and as far as the oil is concerned, it has the same kind of an effect. Using the oil of coriander helps the body with secretion of insulin, and it also helps with the absorption of insulin.
You can use the oil topically, diluted in a carrier oil, or diffused. Ingesting, inhaling, massaging it onto your body – whichever route you take, coriander could be a way to find relief. Make sure to consult with your doctor before beginning any kind of treatment with essential oil.
Coriander Essential Oil For Hair Health & Growth
Coriander Essential Oil For Hair Health & Growth
Like it or not, hair is an essential part of being human. Whether it is for practical reasons or aesthetic reasons, evolution chose to keep the hair on our heads, so I feel hair is pretty important. You can hear so many people saying they are having a good or bad ‘hair day’, and there is a reason for that. Hair matters and it’s a part of who we are.
Some of us lose our hair early on, some later, some never. It is a matter of lifestyle and genetics, mostly. However, there are other factors at work here, and this is where coriander oil can make a difference. Like other helpful essential oils, coriander manages to penetrate the scalp and nourish the hairs from the ground up, so to speak. The roots and follicles of our mane need attention, like any part of our body.
Can coriander essential oil cure baldness or heavy shedding? Probably not. It is not a miracle worker. However, it will help maintain and improve the hair. It will be able to make your strands thicker, shinier, stronger, and less prone to breakage. The essential oil of coriander does a lot for the scalp as well, keeping lice, dirt, and grime at bay, and providing the head with the nutrients it needs to be in balance, and produce the right amounts of sebum oil.
Can You Blend Coriander Essential Oil?
Yes, you can. Coriander essential oil can be blended with many other essential oils, as well as base or carrier oils. Examples for positive blends are cypress, cinnamon, and clary sage. It can also be blended with olive oil, coconut oil, and other base oils.
Can You Diffuse Coriander Essential Oil?
Yes, you can. As previously mentioned, diffusing is one method which can be beneficial for those who suffer from diabetes. Use three or four drops in a diffuser. Dissolve them in a carrier oil or – if you have no carrier – let them float on some water.
Coriander Essential Oil Scent Described
I feel the light-yellow color of coriander oil is appropriate for its scent. It is not overpowering, and it can be best described as an awakening, refreshing, and altogether pleasant. Like with any other essential oils, it can seem to be very strong when you inhale it directly out of the vial or jar. Take small whiffs of it (kind of like a dog would sniff), and you will be able to experience its captivating and happy aroma.
Side Effects Of Coriander Essential Oil
Small children may be more sensitive to essential oils
Almost everyone who comes in contact with coriander is likely to enjoy it without experiencing any negative side effects whatsoever. However, you need to take the good with the bad and there is no denying the fact that there are those who suffer from sensitivities when it comes to herbs in general and essential oils in particular.
Some side effects include skin irritation or inflammation. This, by the way, is not exclusive to coriander oil, but is a warning to be given out with many essential oils. Because they are so concentrated, they could have an adverse effect on the skin, in spite of the wonderful benefits they might otherwise possess. This is why caution and dilution are key in just about any dealings with essential oils. Some of them are downright irritant.
Another possible side effect – and this one comes predominantly from overuse – is problems with the liver. Ironically, it is one of the organs which the oil is meant to work alongside, not against! But if you overuse the essential oil (and the seeds themselves, for that matter!) you are in danger of exposing yourself to over-secretion of bile, which in turn can lead to physical issues and medical conditions which are not normal.
Here is another caution, which is also true to many essential oils, and this is one which pertains to women and children. A woman who is expecting or nursing should avoid using Coriander essential oil on a regular basis without consulting with her doctor. Small children are also a risk group, and may be more sensitive than than adults. As I said, make sure to get your herbalist’s or MD’s ‘go ahead’ before beginning any kind of long-term treatment with this oil. It is very useful and very valuable, but not at any cost.
Many times, those who complain of essential oils simply haven’t been using them properly. In some of the cases, side effects which people experience can be traced back to direct ingestion, undiluted topical use, or other types of internal use.
Regardless – use caution with essential oils. They are highly potent and powerful.
It may be known all over the world primarily as a spice and garnish, but in truth there is a lot more to ordinary cilantro than meets the eye. Run it through the steam distiller, let it release its liquid magic and you’ll find there is so much more.
Coriander is an ancient herb, and it has enjoyed a long and beneficial relationship with mankind. It thrives and flourishes all over the world, and we are so very thankful for it. Whether it is consumed as a fresh spice or a distilled essential oil; whether it is used as a way to lower blood glucose and blood lipids, as a way to take in other vitamins and minerals, or as a way to help your head of hair stay full and strong; coriander is a staple of good health and vitality. Just avoid overusing this miraculous plant – and its oil – and you will be as right as rain.
