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 belonging to the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae). Its seeds and fresh aerial parts are extensively used as a culinary spice and a valued medicinal drug in Ayurveda for managing digestive, antipyretic, and inflammatory 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
Botanical Profile & Traditional Context
In traditional Ayurvedic texts, Dhanyaka is classified as *Tridoshahara* (pacifying all three doshas) with a sweet post-digestion effect (*madhura vipaka*) and hot potency (*ushna veerya*). It plays a vital role in formulations targeting digestive fire enhancement and fever management.
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.[1]
- Dhanyapanchaka kwatha churna
Current availability
Available
- In India – Cultivated extensively throughout India as a common spice and crop.
Phytochemical Composition
The therapeutic potential of Coriandrum sativum seeds and leaves is driven by a rich profile of bioactive constituents:
- Volatile Oils: Rich in linalool, geranyl acetate, alpha-pinene, and gamma-terpinene.
- Polyphenols & Flavonoids: Quercetin, kaempferol, and rutin with strong antioxidant capacities.
- Fatty Acids & Minerals: Petroselinic acid, linoleic acid, and essential micronutrients.
Pharmacological Activities & Therapeutic Efficacy
Digestive and Carminative Effects
Dhanyaka is traditionally validated as a potent digestive stimulant (*dipana*) and carminative.
- Mechanism: Essential oils like linalool stimulate gastrointestinal secretions, alleviate spasmodic abdominal discomfort, and improve overall nutrient absorption.
- Scientific Evidence: Experimental studies confirm that coriander extracts protect gastric mucosa and reduce flatulence and indigestion symptoms.[2]
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Actions
Modern research supports its utility in burning sensations (*daha*) and inflammatory disorders.
- Mechanism: Polyphenolic compounds scavenge free radicals, downregulate pro-inflammatory cytokines, and protect cellular integrity from oxidative damage.
- Scientific Evidence: In vitro evaluations demonstrate significant free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory activities across various extract models.[3]
Antidiabetic and Hypolipidemic Properties
Coriander exhibits regulatory effects on glucose and lipid metabolism.
- Mechanism: Enhances insulin secretion and peripheral glucose uptake while modulating key hepatic enzymes involved in lipid synthesis.
- Scientific Evidence: Animal model studies show that dietary administration of coriander seed powder lowers serum triglycerides, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels.[4][5]
Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage
- Acute Toxicity: Coriander is safe for daily culinary and medicinal use with an established high safety profile.
- Precautions: Individuals with known hypersensitivity to Apiaceae family plants should exercise caution.
- Standard Therapeutic Dosage:
- Seed Powder (Churna): 1–3 g daily or as directed by an Ayurveda practitioner[1].
Summary of Therapeutic Profile
| Indication | Active Biomolecules | Primary Pharmacological Action |
|---|---|---|
| Indigestion / Ajirna | Linalool, Volatile oils | Carminative, Digestive stimulant |
| Burning Sensation / Daha | Flavonoids, Polyphenols | Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory |
| Hyperglycemia & Dyslipidemia | Linalool, Essential fatty acids | Hypolipidemic, Insulin secretagogue |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 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.
- ↑ Emamghoreishi, M.; Khasaki, M.; Amooei, M. (2005). "Spasmolytic effect of Coriandrum sativum leaf extract on rat ileum". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 96 (3): 365–370.
- ↑ Chithra, V.; Leelamma, S. (2000). "Coriandrum sativum changes the levels of lipid peroxides and antioxidant enzymes in experimental animals". Indian Journal of Biochemistry & Biophysics. 37 (1): 59–61.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Pathak, N.; Mishra, P. K.; Maurya, R. (2011). "Antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activity of Coriandrum sativum in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats". Indian Journal of Pharmacology. 43 (2): 180–184.