Patanjali Ayurved managing director Acharya Balkrishna has shared a Facebook video talking about coriander leaves and their long-standing place in Ayurvedic skin care. He explained that this common kitchen herb offers more than flavour, and traditional practice has used it on the skin for generations.
Coriander finds its way into almost every Indian kitchen. It goes into chutneys, curries, and garnishes without a second thought. Balkrishna pointed out that its role does not stop at the dinner table. Ayurveda has long treated coriander leaves as a plant with real value for skin health, not just taste.
The traditional application
According to Balkrishna, fresh coriander leaves are applied directly on the face in traditional practice. Some methods combine the leaves with a small amount of turmeric before applying the mixture. He described this as a routine passed down through generations to help maintain natural, healthy looking skin.
Turmeric itself carries a strong reputation in Ayurveda for skin related use, and pairing it with coriander is a common combination in home remedies across Indian households.
What research says about coriander and skin
Modern studies back some of what Ayurveda has claimed for centuries. Coriander leaves contain antioxidant compounds that fight free radical damage in the body. One of the strongest antioxidants found in coriander leaves is called quercetin, and this compound helps protect cells from damage while possibly lowering the risk of long term disease.
The leaves also carry nutrients that matter for skin. Coriander leaves contain vitamin C, which supports collagen production and helps keep skin firm, while also aiding infection resistance. Vitamin C deficiency is linked to dull, weaker looking skin, so this nutrient content lines up with why coriander has been valued for a fresh, natural glow.
Coriander also brings antimicrobial properties into the picture. The herb carries antiseptic and germicidal properties along with anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory benefits, and it remains easily available in nearly every Indian home. These properties are part of why traditional healers have used coriander paste to calm skin irritation.
Itchy or dry skin has its own traditional fix too. In Ayurvedic treatments, a paste made from coriander leaves gets applied to the skin or scalp to ease itchiness and dryness. Acne prone skin gets attention as well. Due to its antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, coriander helps control and manage acne conditions.
Scientific reviews studying coriander’s chemistry support a wide range of these claims. Research on coriander highlights its main applications including antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-allergic, and anti-aging effects, among other uses.
Balance matters as much as the remedy
Balkrishna did not present coriander as a stand-alone fix. He stressed that healthy skin depends on far more than what gets applied on the outside. A balanced diet, drinking enough water, proper sleep, and a steady daily routine all play an equal role in how skin looks and feels over time.
This point reflects a core idea in Ayurveda. Skin health is treated as a reflection of what happens inside the body, not just what touches its surface. External applications like coriander paste work alongside internal habits, not in place of them.