The Many Health Benefits of Cilantro

Cilantro aka Coriander aka Chinese Parsley is an annual herb, and all parts of the plant are edible.  Cilantro is used in cuisines all over the world.  It is a tasty addition to soups, salads, and other dishes.  Cilantro has many health benefits.

Antioxidants

Cilantro is a rich source of antioxidant compounds that protect cells from damage from the many free radicals that are produced daily in all the cells of the body.    It contains a significant amount of quercetin which has many benefits (see this blogpost for more information on quercetin and its many benefits:  http://workoutanytime.blogspot.com/2018/03/cut-your-risk-for-catching-viral.html )

Chelates Heavy Metals

Heavy metals are not referring to a type of rock music!   Heavy metals include arsenic, cadmium, aluminum, lead and mercury and they are HIGHLY toxic.   They are directly linked to heart disease, cancer, hormonal imbalance, neurological conditions, infertility and much more.    Cilantro binds these metals and facilitates their removal from the body so regular intake ramps up the bodies detoxification of these toxins which every person is exposed to at some level!

Unfortunately, many medicines such as vaccines and antibiotics contain significant quantities of these metals, and they are in our environment due to pollution..

Lower Anxiety and Improved Sleep

Cilantro helps calm nerves and is shown to improve sleep through its natural and safe sedative effects.   A Indian Study showed that high intake of Cilantro produced the same anti-anxiety effects as Valium without all the side effects or addiction potential!

Controls Blood Sugar

Cilantro has been shown to lower blood sugar levels safely, and a study showed that cilantro helps support liver function and balance blood sugar in diabetes.   Chop cilantro leaves and stems and add to salads, salsa and smoothies to lower your blood sugar.

Improved Cardiovascular Health

In the same study mentioned above about diabetes – researchers found that cilantro lowers cholesterol and triglycerides.   Cilantro also helps lower blood pressure.

 Protection from Food Poisoning

Cilantro has antibacterial properties help protect against both food and water based diseases including food poisoning, dysentery, salmonella, cholera, and listeria.   This is the reason it was used initially because before modern times and refrigeration preventing illness from food and water was extremely important and people learned that spices and herbs could prevent illness.   This is why cuisine from warmer climates tends to be spicier since there was no way to prevent bacterial contamination prior to refrigeration.

Urinary Tract Infection

Cilantro’s antibacterial compounds specifically target bacteria that commonly cause urinary tract infections.    If you soak 1 and ½ teaspoons of dried cilantro seeds overnight in 2 cups of water then strain and drink or add to smoothies – it will help relieve the discomfort of a urinary tract infection and accelerate recovery.

Digestive Discomfort

Cilantro has been used for thousands of years to effectively teat nausea, gas and bloating, relieve indigestion and heart burn, and ease digestive cramps.    Cilantro helps increase digestive enzymes that breakdown foods.     Cilantro also makes spicy dishes more tolerable and helps prevent heartburn.   

Try adding a touch of chopped cilantro to these dishes.

Improved Hormonal Balance

Cilantro helps to regulat proper endocrine gland function, and the hormones that regulate menstrual cycles in woman.     Together with its ability to reduce bloating and cramps this makes cilantro a great choice for woman with menstrual discomfort.

Skin Health

Cilantro contains natural anti-histamines and internal and external use can help calm skin irritations that are commonly caused by the immune system overreacting to allergens.     In these cases chop finely and mix with coconut oil and apply to the skin while also taking it internally.

Side Effects and Contraindications

Individuals who are allergic to fennel, dill, aniseed, caraway or other similar herbs can have an allergic reaction to cilantro and should avoid it.  In rare cases these reactions can be severe.     Individuals with asthma or bronchitis should be very careful using dried, ground coriander because it can cause irritation in the bronchial arteries.

Genetic Taste Response to Cilantro

For all its benefits, cilantro contains aldehydes that provide a highly pungent odor that some people find highly disagreeable.    This is thought to be caused by a genetic variation and is just one of many examples that each person is different.   So if you do not like it – don’t eat it!