Medicinal plants have therapeutic potential due to the presence of natural antioxidants functioning as reducing agents, free radical scavengers and quenchers of singlet oxygen. Majority of their antioxidant activity is due to bioactive compounds viz. flavones, isoflavones, flavonoids, anthocyanins, coumarins, lignans, catechins and isocatechins. Currently there has been an increasing interest to identify the antioxidants that are pharmacologically potent with low or no side effects for use in preventive medicine. Spices have been recognized to possess several medicinal properties (diuretic, expectorant, laxative, anti-bacterial, anti-pyretic etc.) and have been effectively used in the indigenous systems of medicine in India and other countries. Apart from the traditional use, a no. of beneficial physiological effects have been identified by extensive animal studies. Among these are their beneficial effects on lipid metabolism, efficiency as antidiabetics, ability to stimulate digestion and to inhibit platelet aggregation, antioxidant, antilithogenic and anti-inflammatory potential. Many spices and their active principles are reported as excellent nutraceuticals. Coriander is among such most commonly used spices, possessing the nutritional as well as medicinal properties, widely distributed and mainly cultivated for the seeds which contain an essential oil and the monoterpenoid-linalool. Coriander is used in the preparation of many household medicines to cure bed cold, seasonal fever, nausea, vomiting, stomach disorders and also used as a drug for indigestion, against worms, rheumatism and pain in the joints. Many of healing properties of coriander can be attributed to its exceptional phytonutrients and hence, it is often referred to as store house for bioactive compounds.
