![]() The Dhania plant is native to the eastern Mediterranean region, but is cultivated and found naturally as weedy species throughout the warmer regions of India. Dhania plant is mainly cultivated throughout India for its leaves and seeds. The juice of the Dhania plant is used to treat erythema. Dhania generally grows to a height of 40-50 cms tall. The upper leaves of Dhania are short petioled or sub sessile and grow 2-3 pin-natisect into linear-setaceous lobes. The lower leaves petioled, imparipinnatisect into 2-3 pairs of ovate-cuneiform, thick, chisel cut segments. Flowers are found in white, pinkish or purplish colours that are borne in compound 3 to 10 rayed umbels. The rays of Dhania tree are 1-2.5 cm long. The fruits of Dhania plant are orbicular, ribbed, 2-5 mm long and 1.5-3 mm wide and the seeds are twice as broad as thick. Flowers and fruits of the Dhania plant blossom from February to April. ![]() A cold mixture of the Dhania leaves with sugar is used for relieving stomach pain in children. The roasted seeds of Dhania are helpful for treating dyspepsia. A paste of the coriander seeds is applied locally for treating the headache and cough that are mixed with barley meal. A paste of these leaves is applied as a poultice to treat chronic ulcers and carbuncles. The seed oil of Dhania is used for the relief of colic, neuralgia and rheumatism. The seeds of coriander are often chewed naturally or in tablet form to sweeten the breath. The leaves are anti-bilious and carminative; thus in Unani treatment they are considered hypnotic and used as pain killer for treating piles, inflammation, pain in the eyes, jaundice, gleet, toothache, stomatitis, bleeding gums, scabies and tuberculous glands. |