Coriander oil has been used for centuries as a folk remedy for a number of ailments. Researchers have also previously found that the oil may ease cramps, aid in digestion, soothe fungal infections and reduce nausea.
Although it was previously suggested that the oil can act as an antibacterial agent, a recent study published in The Journal of Medical Microbiology is the first to explain exactly how it does. Researchers tested the effect of coriander oil on 12 bacterial strains, including E. coli, salmonella and MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant type of staphylococcus. Most of the bacteria were killed by solutions containing less than 1.6 percent coriander oil.
