Coriander, whose scientific name is Coriandrum sativum, is an herb that due to its characteristics has great health benefits. It is also known as coriander, cilantro or Chinese parsley. This vegetable comes from the Apiaceae family.
Among the many benefits that we can find in coriander is that it regulates blood glucose levels, in turn it contains a large amount of vitamin A, ideal for your skin.
This herb is widely used in Indian, Asian, and Mediterranean cuisine and can have different types of use for culinary dishes, tea, or infusions.
In the following article you will be able to learn a little more about this herb, its properties and above all its powerful health benefits.
What is coriander?
It is known for being an aromatic herb, being one of the most widely used in the world due to its great contribution to health and nutritional level, with a very strong aroma and a pleasant taste on the palate, it is believed to have its origin in the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
This plant has the facility of being one of the easiest to cultivate given its rapid growth, this through studies carried out by the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, Mexico . Among its curiosities is that it is one of the oldest cultivated spices.
Another important fact is that all parts of coriander are edible, with the seeds and fresh leaves being the most used.
Cilantro Health Benefits
There are a large number of cilantro benefits, among them it stands out for its antispasmodic properties, it helps to combat constipation, in addition to giving you an antibacterial and antibiotic advantage, this through studies carried out at the University of San Carlos in Guatemala.
Here are some of the more specific cilantro benefits.
Reduces joint pain
Cilantro helps reduce inflammation, especially in people with arthritis, thanks to its powerful painkillers and anti-inflammatories.
Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides
This is due to its high levels of oils, this helps to improve the digestive system and consequently to lose weight and have better control over triglycerides, in addition to its high content of various vitamins such as A and K, also adding the B, C and D.
Controls blood glucose levels
Coriander, due to its numerous compounds in both vitamins and oils, prevents and reduces blood sugar.
For example, the seeds of this plant reduce blood sugar, this helps promote enzymes in the blood and causes sugars to be eliminated.
Fights bacterial and fungal infections
Apart from preventing the proliferation of salmonella, this herb has antibacterial properties since, given its high nutritional value, it reinforces that shield that prevents bacteria from entering our body.
Relieves digestive discomfort
Preventing the formation of gases in the digestive tract is part of the benefits that cilantro provides for the good health of the human being.
It also combats abdominal swelling and heaviness. On the other hand, it also helps to eliminate bad breath.
Eliminate fluid retention
If you want to avoid retaining fluid in your body, coriander is effective since by mixing ginger and fennel they serve to make a special tea for this type of disease such as fluid retention.
Contributes to weight loss
Drinking an infusion of coriander tea, this coupled with exercise methods such as running or outdoor activities will help you alleviate this process, so don’t waste time.
Increases bone health
Bones are our support, they protect the internal organs and allow us to move. Just like the rest of our body we must take care of them, doing exercises and maintaining a balanced diet.
We found that coriander is a source of vitamin D, this vitamin favors the absorption of calcium, which helps to strengthen our bones.
In the same way it contains magnesium, which is involved in the metabolization of calcium, which is why it is also part of the process of strengthening our bones.
Fight the flu and colds
Thanks to its antibacterial properties, in addition to its vitamin C and vitamin A content, this herb is a great ally when it comes to fighting colds and flu, as it also has expectorant action.
It is for this reason that it is common in many home medicine cabinets to find coriander infusions as one of the best options to say goodbye to these diseases.
Regulates hormonal changes
Coriander is a good ally in women’s health, it is known as a good remedy to counteract menstrual pain.
Thanks to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, it also reduces and balances hormonal changes.
Stimulates the production of breast milk
There are numerous factors that intervene in the production of breast milk, this is of the utmost importance since it is the ideal nutrition for the newborn and when it is diminished, the good nutrition of the baby also decreases.
In this case, coriander has another benefit, stimulating the production of breast milk during lactation, since it has galactogenic properties.
coriander properties
As we can see, coriander is not only used for culinary purposes, but also as alternative medicine, since it provides a wide variety of vitamins and minerals to our body.
The beneficial properties that it brings to the body are multiple, thanks to its large amount of nutrients, minerals and essential oils, among some of which are group vitamins A, B, C, E and K, this in addition to being an effective source of calcium, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus.
Another property of this plant is that it has antibiotic effects, which helps to break the membrane of the salmonellosis bacteria and weaken it until it is destroyed.
vitamins
Coriander also has a large amount of vitamins, in particular vitamins A and K but it also contains enough vitamins B, C, D and E. Which are beneficial for the proper functioning of our body
minerals
Another of the important properties of cilantro is its mineral content, such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, even using it in small proportions it offers us a large amount of micronutrients.
calories
Coriander has many nutritional contributions that help the proper functioning of our body, highlighting its low caloric content and its presence in essential oils. Drinking a daily infusion of this plant can help reduce fat levels in the body.
How to consume coriander?
There are various ways to consume this herb, among which stands out in powder for seasoning, as essential oil, capsules, the fruit or in a bag to take as an infusion, it is also commonly consumed in stews, with fish, meat and salads.
Here are 2 simple ways to take advantage of the benefits of cilantro, through its consumption:
coriander tea
Among the benefits of ingesting this tea is that it helps you lose weight and significantly helps glucose control.
Ingredients:
- 3 coriander sprigs
- 1 cup of water
Preparation:
- Cilantro should be washed very well.
- Place the water with the coriander in a pot and let it heat until it boils, then remove from the heat and cover to let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Serve with the help of a strainer to prevent the twigs from leaving.
It is advisable to drink 2 to 3 cups a day after eating, for a week.
Coriander infusion with herbs
Another way to consume cilantro is in infusions with different herbs, which can help to further enhance its benefits.
Ingredients:
- 20 grams of coriander
- 20 gr of licorice
- 20 gr of lemon balm
- 20 grams of cumin
- 20 grams of fennel
- 100ml of water
Preparation:
- Bring the water to a boil, once it starts to boil, lower the heat and add the ingredients.
- Let the mixture rest for about 10 minutes to obtain an effective dose of active substances.
It should be noted that although it is true that consuming coriander both in gastronomic dishes, as well as in the form of tea or infusion with herbs, makes a great contribution of vitamins and nutrients to our body, we cannot forget that everything in excess it can be detrimental to our health.
That is why it is always recommended to consult our trusted doctor to attend to any condition or clarify any doubts.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.