Coriander essential oil
Element - Earth
Property - warm
Note - Head to heart
Group - Essential oil
Synonym - bug weed, dizzy herb
Botanical name - Coriandrum sativum
Plant family - Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)
Contents
Botany
Botanical name
Coriandrum sativum
Plant family
Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)
Umbellifers, also known as umbelliferae, belong to the order of umbelliferae. The plant family contains around 434 genera and around 3,780 species, which are mainly found in temperate zones. The leaves, fruits and roots of numerous Apiaceae species are used for medicinal purposes, as a spice or vegetable due to their essential oils. The best-known examples from the kitchen are Carrots, parsnips, coriander, caraway, dill, parsley and aniseed.
Origin & distribution
The umbellifer family is found all over the world, with the largest area of distribution in the northern temperate zones. In the tropics, the plants are mainly found in the montane altitudes (around 700 to 2,000 meters). You can best observe Apiaceae around their preferred growing area: in steppes, swamps, forests and meadows.
Origin for the production of the oils
worldwide depending on manufacturer
Plant part used
The ripe seeds are mainly used for the production of coriander essential oil. There are also essential oils from the herb.
Ingredients
- Monoterpenes: 95% (linal oil, borneol, geraniol)
- more: 1%
Warnings
Coriander essential oil contains linal oil, which can have an allergic and sensitizing effect.
Background
The herb exudes a unique spicy-sweet scent that resembles the smell of bugs, which is also reflected in its name. The name Koriannon is derived from the Greek name Karis for bug.
In Ayurveda, coriander is used as a medicinal plant for excess Pitta. In this country, coriander seeds are often used as a spice for savory dishes. The essential oil is also suitable for consumption in the right quality. This makes it a wonderful oil for cooking in a circle.
You can find detailed information on cooking in oil in the following article:
→ Cooking with essential oils
Aroma
Grade
Perfumery counts coriander essential oil among the Top notes with transition to Heart note.
Top notes
The top note describes aromas that are perceived immediately after opening the container. The top note conveys the first and often the decisive impression of a fragrance composition. They are often citrusy, green, fresh and Airy fragrances. The volatile fragrance molecules that open the door to the next fragrance phases evaporate very quickly. Already 10 - 15 minutes After application, there is hardly anything left of the top note fragrance.
Heart note
The fragrance of the heart note only appears after the top note has evaporated and lasts for 2-3 hours.
After the top note has faded, around 15 minutes after applying an essential oil to the skin, the heart note follows. Its aromas gradually unfold together with the base notes. However, the heart note determines the character of the fragrance composition. The heart note describes flowery, fruity and herbaceous notes. The middle phase usually lasts two to three hours.
You can find more interesting information on this in the article "→ World of fragrances".
Fragrance
woody, herbaceous, spicy
Mixes well with...
Carrier oils
Possible carrier oils depend on several criteria such as skin type and effect. Below I list some neutral carrier oils that can be used well because they are odorless and generally well tolerated.
You can find a wider selection of carrier oils in the → Aromatrix
Body, mind & soul
In the Body, Mind & Soul section, a possible therapeutic use of essential oils is described. An attempt is made to make both the Western and the Eastern perspective transparent.
The Western approach can be found under Effect and use differentiated according to body and mind & soul. For comparison, the Eastern approach describes the chakras and functional areas.
Western approach
This section is written for the aroma therapy expert:
Effect
BODY
antiviral, digestive, decongestant, skin caring
Mind & Soul
Invigorating and uplifting
Use
BODY
Infectious diseases, measles, colds, flu, arthritis, gout, muscle pain, rheumatism, circulatory disorders, scars, migraines, dizziness, anorexia, colic, diarrhea, gastritis, dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea, hemorrhoids, intestinal cramps, hiccups, impotence, frigidity, infertility
Mind & Soul
Anxiety, shock, depression
Eastern approach
This section is written for the TCM expert:
Coriander essential oil moves the Qi from the center to end the transformation.
5 elements
Element earth
Coriander essential oil is associated with the element earth.
The element assignment of an essential oil is determined by the →Aroma profile and the direction of action. Coriander essential oil has both yin and yang components. It is attributed to the Center as both inward and outward movements are present in the fragrance.
Chakras
Sacral Chakra (2nd Chakra)
Coriander essential oil is associated with the sacral chakra (2nd chakra).
A detailed explanation can be found in the following article: → Etheric oils & chakras
Functional areas
Qi deficiency
- Increases the Guardian Qi, stimulates immunity, promotes eruptions: Colds and flu, infectious diseases, measles
- Rectifies the joints, rectifies the skin: Accumulation of waste products or toxins, arthritis, gout, muscle pain, rheumatism, stiffness, poor circulation, stretch marks and scars
- Invigorates the brain, normalizes Yi - the intention: Weakness, migraine, nervous exhaustion, gentle mental stimulant for poor memory, dizziness, shock, anxiety, postpartum care (depression)
- Strengthens the stomach and spleen: Anorexia, colic, diarrhea, gastritis, dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea, hemorrhoids, intestinal cramps, hiccups
- tonifies the reproductive Qi: for impotence, frigidity, infertility
Main use:
yellow, lethargic, worried, thin
Psycho-emotional representation:
Socially introverted but mentally overactive, exaggerated desire for affection and sympathy. Needy, but intolerant and critical of others.
Sources:
Icon by Gruffy Studio and Tomas Knopp from Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)
Texts are based on the following publications:
Pocket dictionary of aromatherapy by Dietrich Wabner, Verlag Systemisch Medizin, 2013
Aromatherapy with Chinese Medicine by Dennis Willmont, Willmountain Press, 2003
Applications
