The Chinese herb coriander, also known as cilantro or Chinese parsley, is a familiar flavoring vegetable. It resembles celery in appearance, with small and tender leaves and slender stems. It has a rich and fragrant taste and is used as a seasoning in soups and drinks. It is often used as a condiment for cold dishes or as a flavoring for blanched dishes and noodles. The whole plant is harvested fresh and used for medicinal purposes.
The plant is an annual herbaceous plant, growing 20-60cm tall. The entire plant is smooth and hairless, with a strong fragrance. The roots are long and conical. The stems are erect and striped.
The basal leaves are deeply divided into 1-2 pinnate lobes, with broadly ovate or wedge-shaped segments, deeply lobed or with notched edges. The leaf stalks are 3-15cm long. The stem leaves are alternate, 2-3 times pinnately divided, with linear segments and entire margins.
The compound umbels are terminal; there is no involucre; the umbel has 2-8 rays; the bractlets are linear; the pedicels are 4-10; the flowers are small, with 5 unequal sepals and 5 petals that are white or pale pink, inverted ovate in shape, and the flowers on the outer edge of the umbel have radiating petals. The fruits are paired, nearly spherical, smooth, and slightly raised on the ridges. The flowering period is from April to July, and the fruiting period is from July to September. It is cultivated throughout the country.
The medicinal properties of coriander:
It has a warm nature and a spicy taste.
The medicinal effects of coriander:
It promotes rash eruption and strengthens the stomach. It is used for the early stage of measles when eruption is not smooth, as well as for food stagnation and stomach pain.
