Harmful effects of coriander leaves

Harmful effects of coriander leaves

While coriander leaves are widely used and generally considered safe for most people, excessive consumption or individual sensitivities can lead to harmful effects. These effects are often related to allergies, digestive issues, and interactions with certain medications.

1. Allergic Reactions

Coriander allergies are not common, but they can occur. People who are allergic to other plants in the Apiaceae family, such as dill, aniseed, fennel, caraway, or mugwort, may have an increased risk of an allergic reaction to coriander. Symptoms can range from mild to severe:

• Skin reactions: Rashes, hives, itching, and dermatitis.

• Respiratory symptoms: Wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and asthma.

• Gastrointestinal issues: Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea.

• Severe cases: In rare instances, a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis can occur, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.

2. Digestive Issues

While coriander is often used to aid digestion, consuming it in large amounts may have the opposite effect. Some people may experience:

• Diarrhea: Ingesting very large quantities, especially of the seeds or extracts, can act as a mild laxative and cause digestive upset.

• Bloating and gas: A high intake of coriander's fibrous content can lead to discomfort, especially for individuals with a sensitive stomach or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

3. Photosensitivity (Sun Sensitivity)

Coriander contains compounds called psoralens, which can increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight. This can lead to a higher risk of sunburn, blistering, or rashes when the skin is exposed to UV rays.

4. Drug Interactions and Health Conditions

Coriander has properties that can affect blood sugar and blood pressure, which can be a concern for people on certain medications or with specific health conditions.

• Diabetes medications: Coriander may lower blood sugar levels. Taking it in large, medicinal amounts along with anti-diabetes drugs could cause blood sugar to drop too low (hypoglycemia).

• High blood pressure medications: Coriander can cause blood vessels to dilate, which lowers blood pressure. Combining it with antihypertensive drugs could lead to blood pressure dropping to a dangerously low level.

• Sedatives: Coriander might cause sleepiness. Taking it with sedative medications could lead to excessive drowsiness or slowed breathing.

• Bleeding disorders: Cilantro may slow blood clotting. In large amounts, it could increase the risk of bleeding in individuals with bleeding disorders or those on anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medications.

• Surgery: Due to its potential to affect blood sugar and blood clotting, it is recommended to stop using coriander at least two weeks before any scheduled surgery.

5. Other Potential Concerns

• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: There is not enough reliable information to determine if coriander is safe to use in large, medicinal amounts during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It is best to stick to the small amounts found in food.

• Liver problems: While coriander is generally beneficial for the liver, excessive and prolonged use has been anecdotally linked to excessive bile secretion, which could potentially harm the liver. However, more research is needed to fully understand this relationship.