Fact Check: Can Coriander Seed Water Regulate Menses in Just 4 Days?

An Instagram post claims that coriander seed water makes the menses regular in just 4 days. The claim is False.

Claim

The Instagram post claims that coriander seed water makes the menses regular in just 4 days. The reel by user dt_shrutiikaushal is captioned "Regular your menses in just 4 days". In the reel the user states "Let's make your menstrual cycle regular in just 4 days. This is the power-packed remedy that I have given to over 100 female clients, who have showered me with immense love and blessings." then she goes on explaining the remedy saying "For this, I am taking one glass of water and adding two spoons of coriander seeds. Now, we will boil this so well that one glass of water is reduced to half a glass. After that, strain it and drink it every morning on an empty stomach for four days. You will see that your menstrual cycle will become completely regular."

The post has 1,401 likes and can be accessed here.

Fact Check

The claim is False. Coriander seeds may help with pain and ease menstrual discomfort, but no scientific evidence supports the claim that coriander seed water regulates menses in just 4 days.

What is Menstruation or Menses?

Menstruation, also known as periods, menses, or that time of the month, is a natural process that occurs in females of reproductive age and is a unique experience for each person. The menstrual cycle refers to the repeated changes in a woman’s body during her reproductive years. It usually begins between the ages of 12 and 15, marking the start of puberty, and continues until around 45 to 50 years of age, when menopause happens.

What Is Irregularity in Menses?

A normal menses or period lasts 2 to 7 days and occurs every 21 to 35 days. However, 14 to 25% of women have irregular menses, meaning their periods may be too heavy or light, come too early or late, or cause severe cramps. Irregularities can also include spotting between periods, unpredictable cycle lengths, or missing periods for 3 to 6 months.

Hormonal imbalances, especially in progesterone and estrogen, can disrupt the cycle. Common causes include PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome), birth control, breastfeeding, excessive exercise, thyroid disorders, and IUDs. Factors like obesity, stress, and smoking can also play a role.

Irregular periods may signal health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. They are also linked to a higher risk of pregnancy complications, including high blood pressure and birth problems.

Is it possible to regulate periods in 4 days?

No, it is not possible to completely regulate irregular periods within 4 days. 

Regarding the possibility of regulating periods within 4 days, Dr. Kinjal Avdhut Kothari, Associate Consultant OBG, Manipal Hospital, Goa, shared her insights, stating "Regulating periods in just 4 days is unlikely for most individuals, as menstrual cycles typically vary from person to person and are influenced by numerous factors, such as hormonal imbalances, stress, lifestyle, and underlying medical conditions. Though lifestyle changes, endeavouring to exercise and eating a more balanced diet can help regulate a cycle over time, expecting major regulation to occur in such a short period isn’t realistic."

What are the Health Benefits of Coriander Seed?

Coriandrum sativum Linn (C. sativum), or coriander, is widely used in cooking and traditional medicine for various health benefits. Almost every part of the plant—roots, leaves, fruits, and seeds—is used for different purposes.

Traditionally, coriander seeds were used to help with pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammation. The coriander water was believed to treat mouth ulcers and eye redness. The seeds were also used for digestive issues like gas, diarrhoea, indigestion, and nausea.

Coriander is thought to work by stimulating the liver to produce more bile and digestive enzymes, which help speed up digestion and improve the movement of food through the gut.

Can Coriander Seed Water Make the Menses Regular in Just 4 Days?

Coriander seeds have various health benefits, including helping with pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammation. Coriander water may also help with mouth ulcers and eye redness. Additionally, some studies suggest that coriander seeds can ease painful menstruation, but there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus supporting the claim that coriander seed water regulates menses in just 4 days.

A review article published in Frontiers in Pharmacology showed that Coriander has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties, which may ease menstrual pain. But, this study does not mention anything about regulating menses or menstruation.

Another review published in the International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy has mentioned that coriander helps in the proper secretion of hormones from the endocrine glands, reducing pain during periods or menses. Again, this study does not provide any information about regulating menses.

There are no studies that indicate coriander seed water can regulate menstruation within just 4 days. Research only suggests that coriander seeds may help relieve menstrual pain. Additionally, there is no agreement within the medical community to support the claim that coriander seed water can regulate menses in such a short time.

Dr Rubina Shanawaz Z, Senior Consultant, Uro-Gynaecology, Gynaec-Oncology, Robotic Surgery, Fortis Hospital, Gurgaon told Medical Dialogues, “With regard to regulating periods within four days using these seeds, there is no scientific basis for this claim. If the remedy contained something estrogen-rich, we could evaluate its potential effect, but Dhania (coriander), in the quantity mentioned, has no estrogen content that would regulate the menstrual cycle. In allopathic medicine, we prescribe high-dose progesterone tablets to induce menstruation. Achieving a comparable level of natural progesterone would take a significantly long time."

To this, Dr. Pratiksha Gupta, Professor, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, ESIC Hospital, added, "There are many claims about natural remedies, including coriander seed water regulating periods within four days. However, there is no solid clinical evidence supporting such a rapid fix. The traditional use of coriander may provide certain health benefits, but the menstrual cycle is complex and influenced by factors like stress, weight, and underlying conditions. Rather than expecting a quick cure, I encourage women to focus on overall health and consult a gynaecologist if experiencing irregular cycles."

Dr. Kinjal Avdhut Kothari, Associate Consultant OBG, Manipal Hospital, Goa, also shared her insights, "Coriander seeds are also believed to balance hormones and aid digestion. Drinking water made of coriander seeds is thought to assist in controlling the menstrual cycle, especially for women who have irregular periods, but there is not much scientific evidence available that confirms that this would work in just 4 days. The antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory properties of coriander seeds may help to decrease inflammation in the body, maintain hormonal balance and help support overall health. Now, the timing of menstrual cycle regulation is a process, and it is often more influenced by bigger things than one herbal remedy."

Health Dialogues Final Take

Coriander seeds provide various health benefits, including helping with pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammation. Some studies suggest they may ease painful menstruation, but none confirm that coriander seed water can regulate menses in just 4 days. While coriander may support hormone secretion and reduce period pain, there is no scientific evidence or medical agreement backing its role in regulating menstruation.

Hence, the claim is False.