Vietnamese Coriander Drug Interactions, Uses, Safety & More
What is this page for?
First and foremost: how Vietnamese Coriander interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Vietnamese Coriander is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.
But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Vietnamese Coriander is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy
Check Vietnamese Coriander against your medication
Add one medicationDrugs that interact with Vietnamese Coriander
0 medications have a known interaction with Vietnamese Coriander, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.
We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for Vietnamese Coriander. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining supplements with your medications.
What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean
Severity — How Serious It Can Be
- Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
- Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
- Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
- No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.
Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented
- Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
- Probable. Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
- Possible. Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists
- Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Where This Data Comes From
- Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
- Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Vietnamese Coriander combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
- Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.
Vietnamese Coriander: Uses, Safety & Side Effects
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram) is a fragrant Southeast Asian culinary herb traditionally used for digestion and as an antimicrobial. There is very little human research to support its medicinal uses, so it is best thought of as a flavorful food rather than a proven remedy. Pregnant and breastfeeding people should avoid medicinal amounts, and anyone considering it as a supplement should check with a pharmacist or doctor.
- Scientific name
- Persicaria odorata
- Family
- Polygonaceae
- Part used
- Leaves and stems
- Common forms
- Fresh leaves (culinary herb), dried leaves, tea, essential oil
- Flavoring food
- Digestive upset
- Antimicrobial uses
- Reducing sexual desire (traditional)
- Skin and wound care (traditional)
Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.
Likely safe as a food flavoring, but medicinal amounts are not well studied in humans.
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.
Read the full pregnancy detailInsufficient reliable information available; avoid using.
Read the full breastfeeding detailPregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.
Overview
Vietnamese coriander is a leafy herb widely used in Southeast Asian cooking, especially in Vietnam, where it is known as rau ram. It has narrow, pointed green leaves often marked with a darker spot, and it gives off a peppery, citrus-like aroma similar to cilantro but stronger.
The plant grows easily in warm, humid climates and is often raised in home gardens. It is most commonly used fresh as a flavoring for soups, salads, spring rolls, and noodle dishes. In traditional medicine it has also been used as a home remedy for stomach complaints and as an antimicrobial, though these uses are based on tradition rather than strong scientific proof.
Uses & effectiveness
People use Vietnamese coriander mainly as a food. In folk medicine it has been used for indigestion, gas, bloating, mild infections, skin problems, and as a remedy said to lower sexual desire. There is a popular belief in parts of Asia that eating it regularly dampens libido, but this has not been confirmed in humans.
The scientific evidence for any medicinal use is weak. Most research so far comes from laboratory studies of the plant's extracts or essential oil, which have shown some antioxidant and germ-fighting activity in test tubes. These early findings do not prove the herb works to treat or prevent any disease in people. There are no high-quality human clinical trials supporting its use as a medicine.
In short, Vietnamese coriander is a tasty culinary herb with interesting traditional uses, but you should not rely on it to treat any health condition.
How it works
The aroma and possible effects of Vietnamese coriander come from its essential oils, which contain aldehydes and other plant compounds, along with flavonoids and other antioxidants in the leaves. In laboratory tests, extracts of the plant have shown some ability to slow the growth of certain bacteria and fungi and to neutralize free radicals.
These mechanisms are mostly based on test-tube and animal research. It is not clear whether the amounts found in food, or even in supplements, are enough to produce meaningful effects in the human body. More research is needed before any health claims can be made.
Safety & precautions
Eating Vietnamese coriander as a normal part of food is generally considered safe for most healthy adults. Taking it in larger, concentrated, or medicinal amounts has not been well studied, so its safety in those forms is unknown.
Pregnancy: Vietnamese coriander is traditionally avoided during pregnancy because of a belief that it can affect the uterus, and there is no good safety data. Pregnant people should avoid medicinal amounts and the essential oil.
Breastfeeding: There is not enough information to know if medicinal amounts are safe while breastfeeding, so it is best to avoid them.
The concentrated essential oil should never be swallowed unless directed by a qualified professional, as essential oils can be toxic. People with allergies to related plants and anyone with a chronic illness should talk to a pharmacist or doctor before using it as a supplement.
Side effects
When used in normal food amounts, Vietnamese coriander rarely causes problems. Some people may experience mild digestive upset or an allergic reaction such as skin rash or itching.
Larger or concentrated doses, and the essential oil in particular, may cause stomach irritation or other unwanted effects. Because the herb has not been studied carefully in humans at medicinal doses, the full range of possible side effects is not known. Stop using it and seek medical care if you have signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling, hives, or trouble breathing.
Dosing
There is no established or standardized medicinal dose for Vietnamese coriander. It is most often used simply as a fresh culinary herb, added to dishes to taste.
If you choose to use a tea or supplement product, follow the directions on the label and do not exceed the recommended amount. Because reliable dosing information is lacking, it is wise to check with a pharmacist or doctor first, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medications, or managing a health condition.
Vietnamese Coriander & Pregnancy
Vietnamese Coriander & Breastfeeding
© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center
Pregnancy & lactation ratings: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center
References & further reading
The 2 sources that drive our Vietnamese Coriander monograph — publicly available pages from reputable medical and government organizations. Every link was verified to work before publishing.
- Herbs at a Glance — NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Source
- Herbal Supplements — MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) Source
This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.
Vietnamese Coriander: Common Questions
Does Vietnamese Coriander interact with prescription medications?
How are Vietnamese Coriander interactions rated?
Is it safe to take Vietnamese Coriander with my medications?
Where does this Vietnamese Coriander interaction information come from?
What is Vietnamese Coriander used for?
Is Vietnamese Coriander safe to eat?
Can I use Vietnamese Coriander while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Does Vietnamese Coriander really reduce sexual desire?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
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