Coriander is also known as cilantro (Spanish), dhania (Hindi) or Malli (Malay). The leaves are often called Chinese parsley. Coriandrum sativum is an annual herb in the family apiaceae.
All parts of the coriander plant are edible. The fresh leaves and the dried seeds are the parts most commonly used in cooking. Fresh coriander leaves are aromatic and the leaves have a soapy citrus taste, sometimes compared to the stink bug.
Other uses of coriander
Anxiety - has a calming effect
Insomnia - assists with sleep
Diuretic - increases the rate of urination to help with the removal of liquid build-up in the body
Settles the stomach
Digestive aid
Prevents flatulence
Diabetes treatment. A study on mice found coriander extract had both insulin-releasing and insulin-like activity (3).
Prevents heart and arterial disease. Coriander can lower levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides, and raise levels of high-density lipoprotein. This appears to be caused by increasing synthesis of bile by the liver and causing breakdown of cholesterol into other compounds. (4)
If a handful or more of fresh leaves are consumed daily, they can remove mercury and other heavy toxic metals from the body. In particular, coriander seems to be the only chelating agent that can remove these metals from the central nervous system. This makes it useful for people who want to detoxify after the removal of mercury tooth fillings, or to those who have been exposed to high levels of lead in childhood, for example.
Dr Omura , a physician, found that fresh cilantro (coriander) removes heavy metals from the body in less than two weeks.
He also discovered that his patients had fewer colds and flu after removing the heavy metals because it seems that viruses and bacteria like to congregate in organs contaminated by heavy metals. His patients also had fewer Herpes outbreaks after removing these heavy metals.
Cilantro Detox Juice Recipe
- 4-6 apples
- 1 medium beet
- 1/3 of a fennel bulb
- juice of 1/2 lime
- large handful of cilantro
Put all the ingredients through a juicer and enjoy. Serves 1-2.
Cilantro Detox Pesto
Ingredients
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/3 cup Brazil nuts (selenium)
- 1/3 cup sunflower seeds (cysteine)
- 1/3 cup pumpkin seeds (zinc, magnesium)
- 2 cups packed fresh coriander (cilantro, Chinese parsley) (vitamin A)
- 2/3 cup flaxseed oil
- 4 tablespoons lemon juice (vitamin C)
- 2 tsp dulse powder
- Sea salt to taste
Process the coriander and flaxseed oil in a blender until the coriander is chopped. Add the garlic, nuts and seeds, dulse and lemon juice and mix until the mixture is finely blended into a paste. Add a pinch to sea salt to taste and blend again. Store in dark glass jars. It freezes well, so purchase coriander in season and fill enough jars to last through the year.
