Disclaimer: This content has been produced purely for informational and educational purposes only and is never intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical guidelines including diagnosis, advice, and treatment.  

Both fenugreek and coriander are widely used as spices in cooking. Both are rich in nutrients and they have been found to have several pharmacological activities. But very few people know their potential health benefits. When we compare fenugreek vs coriander, we find many similarities and dissimilarities. One is better in certain conditions than the other. Keep reading to explore more. 

In this article, we’ll be comparing fenugreek vs coriander mainly in terms of their nutritional values and potential health benefits. But before we get into the difference between fenugreek and coriander, we’ll need to learn the basics of these two ingredients a little bit more. So, let’s get started. 

Table of contents 

• What is fenugreek? 
• What is coriander?
• Fenugreek vs coriander: nutritional value 
• Fenugreek vs coriander: medicinal properties and benefits 
• Final words 

What is fenugreek? 

Fenugreek, also known as methi or botanically Trigonella foenum-graecum, is a herb species that is cultivated as a condiment, leafy veggies, and also for medicinal purposes. The golden brown seeds of the plant have been used in cooking as a flavoring spice for thousands of years. Its fresh green leaves and stems are also used as vegetables. 

Fenugreek has been found to have high nutritional and medicinal value that can help prevent and treat diverse health conditions. It has a long history of medicinal use in alternative and traditional medicines, especially in Indian traditional medicine called Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). 

Fenugreek is also available in various forms to use as a dietary supplement such as liquid extracts, juices, capsules, and tablets. It has a sweet, nutty scent, which is why it is also used to produce fancy household products including soaps, perfumes, and shampoos. 

What is coriander? 

Coriander, botanically known as Coriandrum sativum, is a small annual herb that belongs to the plant family Apiaceae, which is related to parsley, celery, and carrots.  The fresh leaves of the plant are called cilantro and are widely used in cooking as curried vegetables or for salad dressings. Coriander seeds are dried and ground to make coriander powder. 

Coriander has long been an integral part of Indian, Asian, and Middle Eastern dishes, especially in soups, curries, and salsas. The plant has also been found to have impressive health benefits and used in medicine for centuries. 

Fenugreek vs coriander: nutritional value 

Fenugreek has a healthy nutrition profile. It contains a range of vital nutrients, including, but aren’t limited to:

• Protein 
• Fiber (both soluble and insoluble) 
• Fat 
• Carbs
• Choline 
• Copper 
• Magnesium 
• Iron 
• Inositol 
• Manganese 
• Vitamin A
• B vitamins such as vitamin B3 (niacin) and vitamin B7 (biotin)
• Vitamin C 
• Vitamin D 
• Sodium 

Coriander, on the other hand, is also a great source of plant nutrients. It contains a whole variety of nutrients. Some of them may include: 

• Protein 
• Fiber 
• Carbs 
• Fat 
• Vitamin A 
• Vitamin C
• Folic acid (vitamin B9)
• Vitamin K
• Calcium
• Copper 
• Magnesium 
• Zinc 
• selenium
• Manganese 
• Phosphorus 
• Iron 
• Sodium 
• Choline 
• Antioxidants (tocopherols, quercetin, and terpinene)
• Volatile oils (linoleic acid, oleic acid, etc)

Fenugreek vs coriander: medicinal properties and benefits 

Fenugreek seeds and the bioactive compounds they contain have been shown to have several medicinal properties ranging from anti-diabetic to hepatoprotective to hypolipidemic. It is well-known for its wide use as a galactagogue, meaning it can increase milk production and milk flow in breastfeeding mothers. 

Let’s take a look at some common ways in which fenugreek can benefit human health:  

Potential health benefits of fenugreek or methi 

• Helps induce milk production and enhance the flow of milk in nursing mothers 
• Helps induce childbirth in mature pregnancy 
• Improves digestion and helps treat flatulence, colic, dyspepsia, and loss of appetite 
• Boosts testosterone levels and increases libido in adult males and females 
• Helps keep diabetes and blood sugar levels in check 
• Helps reduce inflammation through potent anti-inflammatory properties 
• Helps reduce bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels 
• Alleviates symptoms of heartburn or hyperacidity 
• May help in controlling appetite and thereby, helps in weight loss 
• May help reduce fever and cough 
• May help prevent enlargement of the liver (hepatomegaly) and spleen (splenomegaly) 
• Helps combat anemia through its rich iron content 
• Improves memory and brain function 
• Helps reduce inflammation in the brain and lowers the risk of age-related cognitive impairment and diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s 

Coriander, on the other hand, possesses a varying range of medicinal properties as well. It acts as a potent tonic, aphrodisiac, carminative, stomachic, and diuretic. It also has significant antioxidant and antibiotic properties that can help the human body in many different ways. Let’s take a look at some of the most common ways how coriander can help the human body: 

Potential health benefits of coriander 

• Helps treat colics or abdominal pain 
• Helps fight against free radicals and thereby, can help lower inflammation and prevent the risk of cell damage, stress, heart disease, and even cancer 
• Helps control diabetes and lower blood sugar 
• Supports digestive function 
• Protects brain health and boosts memory
• Helps fight infections 
• May help protect the skin from sun damage and aging  

Final words 

In the essence of fenugreek vs coriander, though both have many similarities, each has its own dominance in nutrients and can help human health differently. Fenugreek has considerably more protein, iron, copper, and folic acid than coriander, while coriander has more fiber, calcium, vitamin C, and selenium than fenugreek.

It depends on the health goals and specific health conditions that determine which one will work more efficiently than the other. Therefore, it’s recommended to consult with a professional naturopathic practitioner to determine which would be better for your specific health condition.

Here you can see Vorst’s Fenugreek with Sweet Fennel Vegan Capsules 

Important resources:

1. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-733/fenugreek
2. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/fenugreek#testosterone
3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324334
4. https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-coriander
5. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coriander-benefits
6. https://www.allthatgrows.in/blogs/posts/health-benefits-of-coriander
7. https://www.healthshots.com/healthy-eating/nutrition/7-health-benefits-of-coriander-and-ways-to-consume-it/
8. https://www.masalamonk.com/10-health-benefits-of-coriander-seeds/
9. https://www.healthifyme.com/blog/coriander-benefits/
10. https://pharmeasy.in/blog/9-surprising-health-benefits-of-coriander-leaves-you-should-know/
11. https://www.biotecharticles.com/Agriculture-Article/Coriander-and-Fenugreek-Medicinal-Values-and-Uses-4052.html
12. https://versus.com/en/coriander-seeds-vs-fenugreek-seeds
13. https://foodstruct.com/compare/coriander-seeds-vs-fenugreek#:~:text=Coriander%20seeds%20have%20more%20Fiber,more%20Vitamin%20C%20than%20Fenugreek.