Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)

Say hello to a very underrated plant that most people just view as the green stuff in salsa. But oh would they be underestimating this flimsy fragile looking little plant. Let’s start with basics…

The leaves and seeds contain borneol, linalool, cineole, cymene, terpineol, di-pentene, phellandrene, pinene, and terpinolene. Borneol is an effective anti-inflammatory and pain reliever, and is also used as an anticoagulant for stroke patients. Linalool has anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, anticonvulsant, and pain relieving qualities. Cineole is referred to as the “memory-enhancing terpene” because it is believed to be able to reduce symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Cymene is known for antibacterial and antimicrobial effects. Terpineol’s potential benefits include: Antibiotic, Antioxidant, Anti-tumor, Sedative, Anti-inflammatory, Antimalarial, Anxiolytic. It is used in massage oils and lotions due to it’s calming effects and in tea to treat coughs and colds. Di-pentene is commonly used soaps and personal care products, but it is also used as a solvent for resins and waxes. Phellandrene has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat digestive disorders and is also used in the cosmetic industry. Pinene has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticonvulsant, gastroprotective properties and helps with memory and brain function. The last one is terpinolene which has antifungal, antibacterial, anticancer properties in addition to potentially calming the central nervous system. What I haven’t mentioned until now is that many of these are known as “minor cannabis terpenes”.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

These are part of what makes up marihuana’s medicinal benefits. I guess I should emphasize that Cilantro is not related to marijuana.

The leaves and stem tips contain the flavonoids quercetin, kaempferol, rhamnetin, and apigenin. Starting with quercetin, it is generally used for treating inflammation, allergies, support heart health, combatting pain, improving endurance, fighting cancer, and protecting skin and liver health. Kaempferol is currently under consideration as a possible cancer treatment. It is also known for it’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic properties. In a government review, rhamnetin was found to have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. The last of the flavonoids is apigenin is thought to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, brain boosting, heart health, anti-anxiety benefits.

Cilantro contains potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, magnesium, folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin-A, beta carotene, vitamin-C and is one of the richest herbal sources for vitamin K.

GENERAL BENEFITS OF CILANTRO

1. Helps to detox heavy metals from our system. It doesn’t just help purify our system, but a little town outside Mexico city couldn’t afford a water purification for the town, they use cilantro to purify their water. It’s less expensive and works better then most purification systems.
2. It’s anti-oxidant abilities help reverse the damage causes by oxidative stress.
3. Reduces anxiety and stress. A study conducted in 2011 found cilantro extract in high levels could have the same anti-anxiety effect as ‘valium’ but without the side effects of valium.
4. Helps with blood sugar. In 2012 a study found cilantro extract was able to balance blood sugar levels and also improve liver function.
5. Can help with digestion
6. Studies are looking promising in it’s cancer fighting benefits
7. Brain health

There are many studies out there and other benefits that are listed if you really start digging but these are the ones I have researched the most.

WAYS TO USE CILANTRO

Boiled Cilantro leaves made into a tea is used for digestion problems, loss of appetite, hernia, nausea, diarrhea, bowel spasms, and intestinal gas. Ground up leaves are used to treat hemorrhoids, measles, toothaches and joint pain by applying topically. Some people purchase Cilantro seed oil and use it topically with a carrier oil. I am not as familiar with the oil so I would be a little more cautious about using that method. You can also use a fruit infuser and add it to drinking water to help purify the water and to drink it for it’s health benefits.

There you have it… just a few of the reported benefits of this flimsy little plant.

Other information

• October 2012, Journal of Toxicology and Industrial Health published a study on the Health Benefits of Cilantro to Liver Cirrhosis.
• September 2012, the Journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology published a study on the effects of Cilantro on cardiac damage in rats.
• September 2011, the Journal of Ethnopharmacology published a study on the traditional use of Cilantro as treatment for diabetes in rats.
• Study on Cilantro testing on Lead
• Study on using mercury and Chinese cilantro against resistant infections.
• Study on anti-anxiety activity of cilantro.
• Study on the cardio protective effects of cilantro.