Plant of the month: coriander, the aromatic herb that you will either love or hate

Coriandrum sativum, commonly known as cilantro, coriander or Chinese parsley, is an annual plant that grows up to 50 cm in height without the need for a lot of care. It is famous for its aromatic properties and is used as a condiment in cooking.

Though originally used in Thai, Arabic, Peruvian, and Indian cuisine, coriander is nowadays used in dishes all around the globe. At first sight it can be easily mistaken for parsley, as both herbs exhibit long, thin stems of around 30 cm in height, crowned with small and fine serrated green leaves.

Coriander tolerates poor substrates and low temperatures, although it struggles to grow in waterlogged soils and develops more easily in milder temperatures.

Coriander: the flavour that leaves no one indifferent

As with parsley, the part of the coriander plant most used in cooking is the leaves. But, in contrast with parsley, which is often used to add a note of colour to dishes, coriander not only produces a visual effect but provides a really unique flavour. In fact, it is this peculiar taste that has turned coriander into a true culinary celebrity: everyone knows it and has followers and haters in equal measure.

Those who do not enjoy the flavour of this aromatic plant usually say that dishes containing coriander taste like soap. On the other hand, those who discover the flavour of coriander and enjoy it start using it daily in their dishes. It is such a huge contrast between followers and haters that a scientific explanation has been looked for to explain this. It has been hypothesised that people with OR6A2 genes (almost 20% of the population) detest coriander.

Use of coriander in cannabis growing

When cannabis is grown organically, without the use of chemical components for the prevention of pests or fungi, it is common to resort to plants other than cannabis to work as protectors against possible undesired invasions. Other insects or herbs are used to combat insect pests that can damage the cannabis plants. It is here where coriander can be a great ally in driving mites away. Why is that? Because these pathogens are attracted to the smell of cannabis, and so if you place aromatic herbs next to your crop, their smell will distract the mites.

Related post

Essential guide on how to grow organic cannabis

Read now »

You can also boil coriander in water and spray the resulting solution over your marijuana plants. This solution would then act as a natural pesticide.

Therapeutic properties of coriander

Coriander showcases several properties that can improve the functioning of the human body. Most of these relate to bowel issues. Here is a short list of coriander's main benefits:

• Purifying: coriander is an effective diuretic that helps clean the kidneys and the urinary tract.
• Antibacterial: it contributes to the eradication of bacteria and virus, for instance salmonella.
• Digestive: it contributes to the good development of digestion, eliminating flatulence and gases.
• Anti-inflammatory: it helps reduce swelling in muscles and joints.
• Source of vitamins: coriander exhibits high levels of vitamins A, C, D, and B6.