Updated on 05/15/19 Michelle Arnold / EyeEm / Getty Images The word coriander refers to a plant, Coriandrum sativum, of which both the leaves and the seeds are used in the culinary arts. When the coriander leaves are used, they are considered an herb. Coriander leaves, also known as cilantro, have a bright, almost citrus-like flavor.

Coriander seeds (yánsuī zi, 芫荽子) are the fruit of the Coriandrum sativum plant, a flowering herb known in North America as cilantro, and in other English-speaking countries as coriander. This herb is related to parsley, and may also be referred to as Chinese parsley or Mexican parsley.

Coriander is used for a long-term disorder of the large intestines that causes stomach pain ( irritable bowel syndrome or IBS ), constipation, diarrhea, gas ( flatulence ), nausea, athlete's foot.