Hidden Uses and Properties of Cilantro
An herb that’s widely used in Europe, especially in the southeast, cilantro gives food a very distinct flavor. It’s also incorporated into Chinese, Indian, Latin American, and Turkish cuisine. But aside from its culinary properties, it’s also good for your health. Find out more about cilantro in today’s article and start adding more of it to your recipes!
This aromatic plant adds delicious flavor to meats, soups, and creams. Its leaves are similar to those of parsley. You can also use the seeds as a condiment. In some countries, cilantro is known as coriander.
Properties of cilantro
First of all, it’s worth mentioning that cilantro is rich in oils that can enhance digestive system function. For example, it stimulates the appetite and relieves the irritation that some foods can cause. In addition to that, it’s a plant with a lot of vitamins, particularly vitamins A and K, but also B, C, and E.
As if that weren’t enough, cilantro contains a lot of other nutrients and minerals like calcium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus. It helps remove heavy metals from the body by adhering to these toxic substances, and it promotes their elimination through the urine or sweat.
If you’re having problems with your respiratory system, try drinking a tea made with a handful of cilantro leaves per cup of water. This will help expel any mucus from the lungs, larynx, and even nose.
Women who have trouble producing breast milk after childbirth (for example, those who have had a C-section) should try drinking cilantro tea. This plant is also good for alleviating symptoms of liver failure, cleansing the body of bacteria, and removing LDL or “bad” cholesterol from the blood.
Cilantro, or Sativum coriandrum, has six different types of acids (especially ascorbic acid, or vitamin C), so as you would expect it provides a lot of benefits to your health.
Advantages of consuming cilantro
It reduces inflammation
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, cilantro reduces inflammation caused by rheumatism and arthritis, two very painful and degenerative diseases. And in turn, it’s an excellent choice for people with kidney problems, from fluid retention to kidney stones.
It lowers cholesterol
As we’ve already implied, this herb with its special flavor also has the ability to reduce the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood. In turn, this helps eliminate accumulated fats from the inner walls of your veins and arteries, preventing heart attacks.
It treats diarrhea
The derivatives of cilantro (for example, essential oils) can be used to promote healthy digestion. This in turn helps improve liver and intestinal function. Cilantro therefore should be used to treat diarrhea, when it’s due to fungal or microbial problems. The fresh leaves of the plant are even good as an aperitif.
It can cure mouth ulcers
If you have sores or ulcers inside your mouth, you can probably benefit from a little cilantro. Because it’s an antiseptic with healing and antimicrobial properties, it can cure those oral annoyances. It’s also a good remedy for halitosis or bad breath, because it freshens the mouth.
It fights anemia
This is because cilantro has a high iron content. It’s perfect for people who have an iron deficiency. The best way to consume it is raw in salads, in a tea, or chopped and added to soups, creams, or sauces.
It improves digestive problems
This herb can stimulate the appetite, so it’s often given to convalescent patients or those with anorexia. It helps the body secrete more digestive enzymes and juices, which is great for people suffering from various problems with digestion.
It strengthens the immune system
The essential oil of cilantro is rich in antioxidants and helps cleanse the body. Its high content of vitamin C and iron strengthens the immune system and it can be useful in reducing the symptoms of the herpes virus, because it alleviates pain and provides relief.
It fights conjunctivitis
Because it’s an excellent disinfectant, cilantro can be used to cure many communicable diseases, such as conjunctivitis of the eye. It’s also used to treat macular degeneration and other stress factors on your vision.
It can also be used to treat minor eye injuries. Make a tea with a handful of cilantro leaves and a cup of boiling water. Once it cools, dip a cotton ball in the liquid and dab it over your eye.
It improves diabetes symptoms
People with Type II diabetes can add cilantro to their meals to cause the body to produce more insulin, while reducing blood sugar levels.
A woman’s best friend
Cilantro tea is perfect for reducing or balancing hormonal changes related to the menstrual cycle. It’s been shown to alleviate menstrual cramping.
It improves the function of important organs and glands
Cilantro helps improve the health and function of your liver, pancreas, lungs, and stomach, in addition to the endocrine glands.