Who should avoid coriander seeds? A complete health guide

December 16, 2025 •

3 min read

While prized for their flavor and health benefits, research shows that consuming coriander seeds can significantly lower blood sugar, a powerful effect that requires caution for some individuals. While most people can enjoy coriander as part of their diet, specific populations should consider avoiding or limiting its intake to prevent adverse health reactions.

Quick Summary

Certain individuals with pre-existing conditions or on specific medications should avoid or be cautious with coriander seeds. This includes those with low blood pressure or diabetes, anyone scheduled for surgery, and people with allergies to related plants. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also exercise caution due to insufficient safety data.

Key Points

Allergy Warning: Individuals with allergies to plants in the Apiaceae family (caraway, fennel) should avoid coriander seeds due to potential cross-reactivity.
Blood Sugar Impact: Coriander seeds can lower blood sugar, posing a risk of hypoglycemia for people with diabetes or those on antidiabetic medications.
Low Blood Pressure Risk: Those with hypotension or on blood pressure medication should be careful, as high doses of coriander seeds can cause blood pressure to drop dangerously low.
Pre-Surgery Precaution: Stop using medicinal amounts of coriander at least two weeks before surgery, as it can interfere with blood sugar and blood pressure control.
Pregnancy and Lactation: Due to insufficient safety data, pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to consume coriander only in standard food amounts and avoid medicinal doses.
Drug Interactions: Coriander seeds interact with antidiabetes, antihypertensive, and sedative medications, potentially amplifying their effects.
Liver Health: Excessive and prolonged consumption of coriander seeds may cause liver problems due to overstimulation of bile secretion.

Who Should Avoid Coriander Seeds? Key Risk Groups

For many, coriander seeds are a safe and flavorful addition to food, but for certain people, they pose a health risk. Understanding these contraindications is crucial for safe consumption.

People with Allergies

Individuals with a known allergy to other plants in the Apiaceae family—which includes dill, aniseed, fennel, and caraway—are more likely to experience an allergic reaction to coriander. Symptoms can range from mild skin rashes and itching to more severe respiratory issues, including asthma.

Common allergic reactions include:

Skin rashes, irritation, and itching
Respiratory issues like asthma or nasal swelling
Oral swelling or inflammation
In severe cases, anaphylaxis

Individuals with Diabetes

Coriander seeds are known to have a potent blood sugar-lowering effect. While beneficial for some, this can be dangerous for people with diabetes, especially if they are already taking medication to control their blood sugar. The combined effect can lead to hypoglycemia, a condition where blood sugar levels drop to dangerously low levels.

Those with Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)

Just as coriander can affect blood sugar, it can also significantly lower blood pressure. For individuals already managing low blood pressure or taking blood pressure-lowering medication (antihypertensives), adding coriander seeds in medicinal amounts could cause their blood pressure to drop too low, resulting in dizziness, weakness, or fainting.

Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

Information regarding the safety of consuming medicinal quantities of coriander seeds during pregnancy and breastfeeding is limited. Some sources suggest that excessive consumption may affect gland secretions and could potentially harm the mother or fetus. For this reason, experts recommend that pregnant and breastfeeding women avoid high doses of coriander and stick to normal food amounts as a precautionary measure.

Patients Scheduled for Surgery

Because coriander seeds can influence both blood sugar and blood pressure levels, it is recommended that individuals stop consuming them at least two weeks before any scheduled surgery. This precaution is necessary to prevent potential interference with blood sugar and blood pressure control during and after the procedure. Coriander's sedative properties could also interact with anesthesia.

Individuals with Liver Issues

While some research indicates potential liver-protective properties, prolonged and excessive use of coriander seeds can have the opposite effect. Large quantities may lead to excessive bile secretion, causing abnormal conditions and potentially worsening pre-existing liver problems.

Potential Drug Interactions with Coriander Seeds

Coriander can interact with several types of medications, requiring careful monitoring or avoidance.

Antidiabetes Drugs: Combining coriander's blood-sugar-lowering effect with diabetes medications like glimepiride or insulin can lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels.
Antihypertensive Drugs: Taking coriander alongside medication for high blood pressure, such as captopril or losartan, can cause blood pressure to drop excessively.
Sedative Medications (CNS Depressants): Coriander can cause sleepiness and drowsiness. When taken with other sedative medications like lorazepam or zolpidem, it can lead to excessive sleepiness or breathing problems.

Coriander Seeds: Safe Consumption vs. High-Dose Risks


Aspect	Culinary/Safe Consumption	Medicinal/High-Dose Risks
Quantity	Small amounts used for seasoning or flavoring.	Large, concentrated amounts, often in teas, extracts, or supplements.
Allergies	Generally safe for those without specific allergies.	May trigger allergic reactions, especially in those with cross-reactivity to similar plants.
Blood Sugar	Little to no significant effect.	Can cause severe drops in blood sugar, risking hypoglycemia.
Blood Pressure	Does not typically impact blood pressure.	Can cause a significant drop in blood pressure, risking hypotension.
Pregnancy	Safe in standard food quantities.	Insufficient data; risks include effects on gland secretion and potential harm.
Drug Interactions	Minimal interaction with most medications.	Significant interactions with antidiabetes, antihypertensive, and sedative drugs.

Conclusion: Always Consult Your Doctor

While coriander seeds are a versatile and nutritious spice for many, they are not suitable for everyone. People with allergies to related plants, diabetes, low blood pressure, and those preparing for surgery should be especially cautious. Furthermore, pregnant and breastfeeding women and those with liver issues should limit consumption or avoid it entirely. Always consult a healthcare professional before incorporating large or medicinal doses of coriander seeds into your diet, particularly if you have an underlying health condition or take regular medication. For more information on side effects and interactions, refer to authoritative health resources like WebMD.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, consuming coriander seeds in small culinary amounts, such as those used for seasoning, is generally safe. The risk is associated with large, medicinal doses that can significantly lower blood pressure.

Coriander seeds can lower blood sugar levels. When taken with antidiabetes drugs, the combined effect can cause blood sugar to drop too low, potentially leading to hypoglycemia. Monitor blood sugar closely and consult a doctor.

While small amounts of coriander seed water are often used in traditional remedies, there is not enough reliable safety information for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Sticking to food-level amounts is the safest approach.

Allergic reactions to coriander can include skin rashes, itching, breathing difficulties, and swelling in the face or mouth. Severe reactions may require immediate medical attention.

You should stop consuming coriander at least two weeks before surgery because it can lower both blood sugar and blood pressure, which might interfere with the surgical procedure and related medications.

Excessive and prolonged use of coriander seeds can potentially cause liver problems due to increased bile secretion. Individuals with pre-existing liver issues should be cautious.

Yes, coriander seeds come from the same plant as cilantro. Coriander refers to the dried seeds of the Coriandrum sativum plant, while cilantro refers to its fresh leaves.