Oleum Coriandri. U. S., Br. Oil of Coriander.

Botanical name: 

Ol. Coriand. [Coriander Oil]

Related entry: Coriander

"A volatile oil distilled from the ripe fruit of Coriandrum sativum Linné (Fam. Umbelliferae). Preserve it in well-stoppered, amber-colored bottles, in a cool place, protected from light." U. S. " Oil of Coriander is the oil distilled from Coriander Fruit." Br.

Essence de Coriandre, Fr.; Korianderöl, G.

This oil may be obtained by distillation with water from the bruised fruit in the manner directed in the U. S. Pharm. 1870, for volatile oils. The average yield of oil from coriander grown in different countries is from 0.2 to 1 per cent. It is pale yellow and colorless, and has the characteristic odor and taste of coriander, and a neutral reaction. Its sp. gr. is from 0.863 to 0.878 at 25° C. (77° F.), U. S., and its boiling point 150° C. (302° F.). It is an oxygenated oil, consisting chiefly of a compound, coriandrol, C10H18O. According to Semmler (Ber. d. Chem. Ges., 24, 206), coriandrol boils between 194° and 198° C. (381.2° and 388.4° F.), is optically dextrogyrate, and has a sp. gr. of 0.8679 at 20° C. (68° F.). Coriandrol is now known as dextrogyrate linalool. Schimmel & Co. (Schim. Eep., April, 1892) have also found in coriander oil about 5 per cent. of dextropinene. The characteristic odorous principle or principles are unknown. It is officially described as "a colorless or pale yellow liquid, having the characteristic odor and taste of coriander. It is soluble in 3 volumes of 70 per cent. alcohol. Specific gravity: 0.863 to 0.875 at 25° C. (77° F.). The optical rotation varies from + 8° to +13° in a 100 mm. tube at 25° C. (77° F.)." U.S.

"Colorless or pale yellow. Odor and taste those of Coriander Fruit. Specific gravity 0.870 to 0.885; optical rotation +8° to +14°; refractive index at 25° C. (77° F.) 1.463 to 1.467. Soluble in 3 parts of alcohol (70 per cent.)." Br.

Oil of coriander is extensively adulterated with colorless rectified oil of orange, which can be detected by its insolubility in 90 per cent. alcohol, in which pure coriander oil dissolves in every proportion; equal parts of oil of orange and 90 per cent. alcohol make a turbid mixture. (A. J. P., Sept., 1878.) The oil has the medicinal properties of the fruit, and, like the aromatic oils generally, may be used to cover the taste or correct the nauseating or griping properties of other medicines. It has the great advantage of being more stable and retaining its agreeaible odor longer than any other oil of its class.

Dose, one to three minims (0.06-0.2 mil).

Off. Prep.—Spiritus Aurantii Compositus, U. S.; Elixir Aromaticum (from Spirit), U. S.


The Dispensatory of the United States of America, 1918, was edited by Joseph P. Remington, Horatio C. Wood and others.