Cilantro is also known as Coriandrum Sativum and has a fresh citrus flavour. Cilantro is the leaves and stems of the coriander plant and is from the same herb family as carrots, parsley, and celery. It has been enjoyed in cooking for many years, but it isn’t just great for eating it also has many medicinal properties. These properties help keep the body well nourished and toxin free. Cilantro is packed full of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. Getting your hands on this great herb is easy as it is widely available at most grocery stores.
Vitamins and Minerals
Cilantro is often referred to as a super food or super herb. This is because it is so good for your health. This powerful herb is filled with Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin C and the trace mineral Manganese. It also contains Vitamin B, Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, Zinc, Magnesium and Potassium.
Cilantro is packed with antioxidants and is sometimes used as a natural preservative as its oil helps to inhibit oxidation and prevent spoilage in food. Cilantro also has some antibacterial elements and some studies have shown it can help to prevent some bacterial infections such as Salmonella. The study showed that cilantro extracts helped with a variety of bacterial infections and in some cases it was shown to be more effective than a common antibiotic.
Cilantro as a Detox
In our over polluted world with too many chemicals and heavy metals such as aluminium and lead which we ingest we need to find ways to detox. If you are regularly consuming cilantro it may help to clean out your system. The reason it could be so helpful is because it helps the body to naturally eliminate toxins by binding to the metals and eliminating them from the digestive tract or any tissue where there has been a build-up of the toxins. This process is called chelation.
The reason why you need to detox your body of heavy metals and other toxins is because they could end up negatively affecting your brain, muscle tissue, endocrine system, and even bone structure. Toxins in these areas can cause issues such as hormone imbalances, oxidative stress and possibly impaired organ function, all leading to chronic inflammation and damage. A study done by Dr. Yoshiaki Omura found that people who take a lot of antibiotic drugs can be making the chances of a build-up of heavy toxins worse, potentially causing long-term harm. However, they also revealed that cilantro could help undo the damage and possible help chronic health problems caused by antibiotics.
Helping with your upset stomach
Cilantro has been used as a natural remedy for upset stomachs for a long time. It helps with bloating and gas, heartburn, and stomach cramps. It may also help with the body’s natural production of digestive enzymes; these help to speed the breakdown of food. Those who suffer from chronic bloating, cramps, and general abdominal pain or food poisoning may also benefit.
So next time you want to add some flavour to your meal drop in some cilantro and also enjoy the health benefits it has to offer. For more information on herbs that assist with your health also check out my article on Ashwagandha on https://www.wellbeing.com.au/body/health/ashwagandha-herb-assist-diverse-good-health.html
