Medicinal Plants

Coriandrum sativum L.

Ketumbar

Apiaceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Coriandrum sativum (Ketumbar) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Coriandrum sativum (Ketumbar) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Coriandrum sativum (Ketumbar)

Summary

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is an annual herb up to 1 meter tall of the Apiaceae family, first found in Israel before spreading to Southern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Its distinctively aromatic seeds are an essential cooking spice in many of the world's cuisines. In addition, coriander is traditionally used to address canker sores, constipation, and digestive disorders.

Agroecology

Grows well up to highland elevations of 1,200 m above sea level, at temperatures of 17-20 °C. Requires adequate water and sunlight, loose and moist soil conditions, and rainfall ranging from 1,000-2,000 mm/year.

Morphology

  • Roots taproot, round, branching, and white.
  • Stem non-woody, grooved, hollow, green, fragrant.
  • Leaves compound, pinnate, sheathed with whitish-green margins, toothed edges.
  • Flowers compound, funnel- or umbrella-shaped, white, with 5 petals.
  • Fruit round, green (young), turning yellowish-brown (mature).
  • Seeds small, 1-2 mm in size, green.

Cultivation

  • Propagated generatively (by seed).
  • Make holes 2.5 cm deep spaced about 8 cm apart, in rows about 30 cm apart. Seeds will germinate after 10-15 days.
  • The plant is harvested once it turns yellowish-brown, at 3-3.5 months old.

Chemical Content

Linalool, α-pinene, γ-terpinene, geranyl acetate, camphor, geraniol, phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, steroids, alkaloids, benzofuran, dodecanoic acid.

Benefits

Treats canker sores; prevents constipation; addresses digestive disorders; lowers cholesterol; stimulates appetite; treats vaginal discharge.

Simplisia

  • Select fresh, healthy leaves. Wash thoroughly under running water, then drain.
  • Sun-dry the leaves, covered with a dark cloth to avoid direct sun exposure, or use an oven (40 °C).
  • Dry-sort to remove unwanted foreign material. Store the dried material in an airtight container at room temperature.

Local Names

Hatumbar (Batak Toba), Keutumba (Aceh), Ketumeur, Ketumber (Gayo, Makasar), Katumba (Minangkabau, Bima), Katuncar (Sunda), Kathombar (Madura), Tumbar (Java, Gorontalo), and Katumbah (Bali).

Traditional Recipes

The following recipes reflect traditional knowledge passed down through generations, not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use.

Traditional recipe Digestive Disorders from Ketumbar

1. Digestive Disorders

  • Decoction: Boil 7.7-15 g of dried, powdered coriander fruit in 250 mL of water.
  • Boil until reduced to ⅓ of the original volume.
  • Strain and let cool.
  • Drink the decoction within 24 hours.
Traditional recipe Vaginal Discharge from Ketumbar

2. Vaginal Discharge

  • Prepare 20 g coriander, 40 g aromatic ginger (kencur), 5 betel leaves, 1 kedaung seed, ½ majakani fruit, 1½ g black pepper.
  • Sun-dry the kencur and betel leaves, then roast all ingredients (except the betel leaf) until dry-toasted. Grind and divide into 3 portions. Steep each in a glass of water.
  • Drink 3 times a day, 1 glass each time.

Reference Sources

  1. Al-Marzoqi AH, Hameed IH, Idan SA. 2015. Analysis of bioactive chemical components of two medicinal plants (Coriandrum sativum and Melia azedarach) leaves using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Afr. J. Biotechnol 14(40): 2812-2830
  2. Asgarpanah J, Kazemivash N. 2012. Phytochemistry, pharmacology and medicinal properties of Coriandrum sativum L. Afr. J. Pharm. Pharmacol 6(31): 2340-2345.
  3. Bani F, Serang Y. 2018. Kajian efektivitas filtrat perasan, minyak atsiri dan ekstrak etanol daun ketumbar (Coriandrum sativum L.). Jurnal Farmasi & Sains Indonesia 1(1).
  4. Eka. 2018. Budidaya Ketumbar. https://www.kampustani.com/budidaya-ketumbar/ 30-04-2020
  5. Hasanah N, Dori RS. 2019. Daya hambat ekstrak biji Ketumbar (Coriandrum Sativum L.) terhadap pertumbuhan bakteri Shigella Dysenteriae metode cakram. Edu Masda Journal 3(2): 115-122.
  6. Lo Cantore PL, Iacobellis NS, Marco AD, Capasso F, Senatore F. 2004. Antibacterial activity of Coriandrum sativum L. and Foeniculum vulgare Miller Var. vulgare (Miller) essential oils. J. Agric. Food Chem. 5: 7862-7866.
  7. Prastika DA, Sugita S. 2018. Efektivitas rendaman biji Ketumbar (Coriandrum sativum L) untuk terapi masalah keputihan pada wanita usia subur. Interest: Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan 7(1).
  8. Prosea. 2016. Coriandrum sativum. https://uses.plantnet-project.org/en/Coriandrum_sativum_ (PROSEA) 10-12-2019
  9. Tang ELH, Rajarajeswaran J, Fung SY, Kanthimathi MS. 2013. Antioxidant activity of Coriandrum sativum and protection against DNA damage and cancer cell Imigration. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 13: 347-360.
  10. Formularium Obat Tradisional Indonesia. BPOM RI. 2011. Ramuan Etnomedisin Volume I (Keputihan)
  11. BPOM RI. 2007. Acuan Sediaan Herbal vol III Edisi Pertama
  12. Sirait Midian dkk.1985. Cara Pembuatan Simplisia. Departemen Kesehatan Republik Indonesia. Jakarta 50.
  13. Theplantlist. Coriandrum sativum L. http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2737546 , 03-02-2021