Cilantro & Coriander: Eat Well and Live Forever

Cilantro and Coriander are different parts of the coriandrum sativum plant. The leaves are known as cilantro, and the seeds are coriander. It belongs to the carrot family, called umbelliferae. This plant is native to the Mediterranean region, but now grows in many parts of the world. It is an annual, and grows best in very sunny areas.

Throughout history, this plant has been revered as having a variety of special powers.

The Chinese believed that Coriander seeds would bestow immortality upon the dead; it has been found in many ancient Chinese tombs. Coriander is also believed to be an aphrodisiac-referenced in the Arabian “Thousand and one Nights” it would conjure the power of love and romance when used in sachets. During biblical times, cilantro was used by the Hebrews as the bitter herb in the Passover meal. The Roman soldiers under the reign of Julius Caesar took coriander with them, using it as a meat preservative and to flavor food.

Cilantro, the dark green, feathery shaped leaf of the plant, also called Chinese Parsley, has a slight citrus-y flavor with undertones of sage and ginger. It is a versatile herb, as its flavor complements a variety of different foods, including fruits, vegetables, meat and bean dishes, soups and salsas. It should be used fresh, and raw, as cooking or drying the herb causes it to lose its flavor and health qualities. It is an important part of Mexican, Indian and Asian cuisines.

Coriander, the seeds of the plant, are yellowish-brown in color, and develop a rich aromatic flavor as they are dried. Many people grind the seeds and use the powder in a variety of dishes. It is a main ingredient in curry powders as it has a slightly sweet and peppery flavor. It is also used in northern African cuisines, as an ingredient in harissa sauce.

Both parts of the plant contain a large number of medicinal qualities.

• Cilantro is a superfood! It is highly nutritive, containing minerals such as potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and magnesium. It is also rich in vitamins, including folic-acid, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin-A, vitamin K, beta carotene and vitamin-C.
• It is a wonderful digestive aid. It helps prevent gas, bloating and painful digestive spasms. It acts as a stimulant to the digestive system, increasing the production of digestive enzymes, and stimulates the appetite.
• It can help lower our LDL (bad cholesterol) and raise our HDL (good cholesterol).
• It is a strong antimicrobial. Its volatile oils defend against food-born bacteria, particularly salmonella.
• It supports the immune system.
• It is a very powerful chelation (detox) herb. It is used to safely remove heavy metals from the body, particularly mercury. Cilantro binds to the mercury molecules in our body, and carries them through the bloodstream, which goes to the liver to be processed and eliminated.

Adding cilantro to your diet will not only bring you delicious fresh flavor, but will also bring many health benefits.

In the summer, when cilantro is fresh, we recommend that you try this delicious Salsa recipe. It also provides a great way to use all the delicious tomatoes that are so plentiful this time of year. Enjoy!

Sources:

The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal, by David Hoffmann, Element Books, 1996

Herbs and Spices: A Guide to Culinary Seasoning, by Waverly Root, 1985

Mother Earth News, Guide to Healing Herbs, Winter 2013 Issue

www.studiobotanica.com

www.botanical.com