Cilantro's Numerous Positive Effects on One's Health (Coriander)

Dec 28, 2023 By Nancy Miller

It is a relative of parsley, carrots, and celery derived from the Coriandrum sativum plant. Coriander is the name given to the seed of the herb Coriandrum sativum, whereas its leaves are known as cilantro in the United States.

Coriander seeds and coriander leaves are different names for the same things in other regions. The name "Chinese parsley" refers to another name for this plant. Soups, salsas, curries, and masalas from Indian, Middle Eastern, and Asian cuisines benefit from the addition of coriander.

The fresh leaves of coriander are often utilized intact, while the seeds are consumed either dried or crushed. This page clearly defines the many components of the Coriandrum sativum plant.

Benefits To Your Health Of Using Cilantro

The herb cilantro, often known as coriander, is famous for its culinary and medicinal uses. The plant contains the essential oil linalool and is a rich lipids source. It has also been traditionally used for its anti-epileptic, anti-depressant, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Preventing the formation of harmful heterocyclic amines (HCAs) during high-temperature cooking of meat is possible by adding cilantro to the dish, according to scientific studies. The risk of developing cancer has been related to a diet high in HCAs.

Proven Anti-Convulsant Effects

Recent research suggests that cilantro intake may help lessen the frequency of epileptic episodes. Specifically, cilantro is a potent activator of the KCNQ channel, which is the voltage-gated potassium channel subfamily Q. Injuries to the brain, diseases, or epileptic seizures might result from the channel's dysfunction.

Current anti-epileptic medicine is not effective in treating this impairment. Dodecanal, a compound found in cilantro, is hypothesized to open potassium channels by binding to them, decreasing neuronal excitability.

Effects on Antioxidants

Carrots and cilantro both come from the Umbelliferae family of plants. The carotenoids beta-carotene and lutein, both in cilantro and other members of the Umbelliferae family, are well-known for their antioxidant properties. Cell damage induced by free radicals produced during oxidation is one target of antioxidant therapy.

Cilantro extracts have been reported to have a high phenolic content, which is correlated positively with their antioxidant activity. The herb's leaves also had higher antioxidant activity levels than the seeds.

Benefits To Mood

A coriander seed extract has been studied for its anxiolytic effects in rats as an alternative to the potentially dangerous benzodiazepines commonly used to treat anxiety. One research found that the section was equally effective as prescription drugs in reducing stress. The extract was very calming and relaxing to the muscles.

Diabetes Care Management

Many believe that herbs like cilantro might help them control their diabetes. There is an increasing quantity of preclinical evidence backing up these assertions. Studies conducted on diabetic mice demonstrated that hyperglycemia decreased when the animals were fed diets containing cilantro seed or given seed water extracts. However, the trials did not show that the herb therapy reduced excessive thirst, a frequent sign of diabetes.

Efficacy Against Inflammation

Cilantro has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, according to the research. One of the ingredients of Sri Lanka's Maharasnadhi Quather is cilantro, which acts as an anti-inflammatory (MRQ).

Cilantro seed is a crucial ingredient in MRQ, and it has been shown in human and animal studies to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. When rats were given MRQ, their pain tolerance increased by more than 50%.

In human investigations, the prescription of MRQ in people with rheumatoid arthritis has been proven to decrease inflammation and discomfort, enhance mobility, and not negatively affect gastrointestinal or liver functioning.

Nutritional Benefits

There are around 6 per cent carbs, 3 per cent protein, and trace amounts of iron, vitamin C, vitamin B2, and vitamin A in a cup of fresh coriander leaves. The herb provides 2% of the daily value for vitamin C and 5% of vitamin A in just a quarter-cup serving.

Possessing Antimicrobial Effects

Cilantro has been shown to have antibacterial effects in research with animals. One experiment fed baby chicks a water-based cilantro extract or a powder made from cilantro seeds.

Significantly less Escherichia coli was found in the ileal microflora of individuals who ingested the aqueous extract, as well as 1.5% and 2% of the powder, compared to the control group. According to complementary studies, the essential oil extracted from coriander has been demonstrated to be effective in treating thrush.

The Conclusion

Coriander is an aromatic plant with various culinary and medicinal purposes due to its high antioxidant content. Your blood sugar, immune system, heart, skin, and digestive tract may all benefit.

Coriander, or cilantro, may be added to your diet simply by eating the seeds or leaves. It isn't easy to extrapolate how many coriander seeds or leaves you would need to eat to get the same effect from the research above because many of them utilize concentrated extracts.