The American Cyclopædia (1879)/Coriander

CORIANDER, the fruit of coriandrum sativum, an annual umbelliferous plant. It is a native of Italy, but now grows wild in most parts of Europe, and is brought from thence to the United States. The flowers emit a disagreeable odor when bruised, but the fruit has a pleasant fragrance. The fruits, or seeds as they are called, are about an eighth of an inch in diameter and globular in shape. They have an aromatic odor and taste. Their virtue depends on a volatile oil, which is obtained by distillation. Coriander is used in medicine only to correct the action and cover the taste of other drugs, and render them acceptable to the stomach. It may be given in the dose of half a drachm or more. Confectioners use it as a flavoring article.