Cilantro is a fantastic seasoning herb used all around the world to season food and add flavor. Used commonly with sea salt, this tasty herb isn't only well-known, it is a medicinal powerhouse packed full of benefits for anyone who wants to eat it. Cilantro benefits are far reaching and include skin care, full body detox, and digestive protection.
However, what most people do not know is that coriander seeds that come from cilantro are full of amazing health benefits, as well. Coriander essential oil is also beneficial and should be added to anyone's essential oil collection. Basically, cilantro in any form is fantastic for you.
Cilantro Benefits
Cilantro is full of vitamin A, vitamin K, folate, and potassium, and is a great source of dietary fiber. With all these added nutrients and almost no caloric value, cilantro is a perfect addition to any meal. Check out these cilantro benefits below!1. Cilantro Soothes Skin Irritations
Cilantro is a great remedy for common skin irritations. It can be used externally and internally to treat hives, poison ivy, and sun burns. Cilantro is great to use against skin irritants because of its natural antihistamine properties. It naturally calms the immune system. This makes it perfect for use against skin flareups. Mix cilantro with coconut oil to sooth skin problems externally. Additionally, you can blend with water to gain even more cilantro benefits. Use the blended leaves topically and drink the remaining liquid. This is excellent for seasonal allergy symptoms, too.2. Cilantro Provides Protection From Neurological Inflammation
Neurological inflammation is linked to diseases like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's Disease, multiple sclerosis, meningitis, and brain tumors. However, diseases like these are less common in areas where people commonly eat coriander or cilantro. A study published by Molecular Neurobiology found that turmeric, red pepper, black pepper, licorice, clove, ginger, garlic, coriander, and cinnamon contain nutraceuticals that reduce inflammation in the brain. (1)
3. Colon Cancer Protection
According to the Journal f Ethnopharmacology, coriander reduces the amount of cholesterol found in the colon. This also reduces the chance of colon cancer. (2) Thus, adding cilantro to your meals may be a great way to keep your colon clean and healthy. Measurements were not provided in the study, but it is well known that increasing green food intake is great for the whole body.4. Protection From Food Poisoning
Believe it or not, cilantro protects your body from food poisoning. Its natural antibiotic properties are especially good at protecting the body from food- and water-born diseases. A study published by the International Journal of Food Microbiology studied essential oils derived from dill, coriander, cilantro, and eucalyptus. They found that cilantro essential oil was highly effective against listeria. (3)5. Cilantro Reduces Menstrual Symptoms
Coriander seeds, a product of cilantro, can reduce menstrual symptoms in women. They can also support overall health and wellness during that time of the month. Specifically, coriander can reduce pain and bloating during the menstrual cycle.6. Cilantro Settles The Stomach & Improves Digestion
Cilantro is perfect for settling minor digestion issues and has been used for thousands of years. It is perfect for reducing bloating, preventing gas, and relieving nausea. Additionally, it is great for reducing heartburn and indigestion. This is true because cilantro benefits include powerful enzymes that help the digestive system break down food. Cilantro often accompanies spicy food for this exact reason.7. Cardiovascular Disease Protection
Cilantro benefits protect against cardiovascular disease in many different ways. The high amount of potassium found in cilantro protects against high blood pressure. This is because potassium works to balance sodium levels, and sodium is linked to high blood pressure. High blood pressure increases your risk of heart failure and heart disease, and thickens the muscle of the heart. One study in the Journal of Food Science found that cilantro also unclogs arteries by reducing overall cholesterol. (4) Overall, cilantro is very good for your heart!