Cilantro

Cilantro is most often cited as being effective for toxic metal cleansing and rightfully so, this herb is a powerful, natural cleansing agent. The chemical compounds in cilantro bind to toxic metals and loosen them from the tissue. Many people suffering from mercury exposure report a reduction in the often-cited feeling of disorientation after consuming large and regular amounts of cilantro over an extended period.

Cilantro is one of the popular mediterranean herb, which commonly recognized as leaf-coriander in asia. It is widely employed in savory dishes in almost all parts of the world. The herb contains many notable plant derived chemical compounds that are known to have disease preventing and health-promoting properties. Coriander is quite similar to dill in utility terms since its leaves as well as seeds can be used in cuisune. Botanically, coriander herb belongs to the family of apiaceae, in the genus: coriandrum.

Minor (turkey) regions. It is perennial plant but grown as an annual which requires well-draining fertile soil supplemented with warm summer climates to flourish. The plant reaches about 1 to 2 feet in height and features dark green, hairless, soft leaves that vary in shape; broad-lobed near the base, and slender and feathery higher up near its flowering stems. The leaves and stem possess slightly citrus flavor. The plant bears umbels of small white or light pink flowers in midsummer, followed by round-oval shaped aromatic seeds.

Coriander seeds, used as spice, are round-to-oval in shape, yellowish brown in color with vertical ridges and have a flavor that is aromatic, sweet and citrus, but also slightly peppery.

Cilantro herb is very low in calories and contains no cholesterol. However, its deep-green leaves possess good amounts of antioxidants, essential oils, vitamins, and dietary fiber, which help reduce ldl or "bad cholesterol" while rising hdl or "good cholesterol" levels.

Its leaves and seeds contain many essential volatile oils such as borneol, linalool, cineole, cymene, terpineol, dipentene, phellandrene, pinene, and terpinolene.

The leaves and stem tips are also rich in numerous anti-oxidant polyphenolic flavonoids such as quercetin, kaempferol, rhamnetin, and epigenin.

The herb is a good source of minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heartrate and blood pressure. Iron is essential for red blood cell production. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.

It is also rich in many vital vitamins, including folic-acid, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin-a, beta carotene, vitamin-c, which are essential for optimum health. Vitamin-c is a powerful natural antioxidant. 100 g of cilantro leaves provide 30% of daily recommended levels of vitamin-c.

It provides 6748 iu of vitamin-a per 100 g, about 225% of recommended daily intake. Vitamin-a, an important fat soluble vitamin and anti-oxidant, is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin and is also essential for vision. Consumption of natural foods rich in vitamin-a and flavonoids (carotenes) helps body protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

Cilantro is one of the richest herbal sources for vitamin k; provide about 258% of dri. Vitamin-k has a potential role in bone mass building by promoting osteotrophic activity in the bones. It also has established role in the treatment of alzheimer's disease patients by limiting neuronal damage in their brain.

Wonderful! cilantro leaves provide only 23 calories/100 g, but their phyto-nutrients profile is no less than any superfoods around us!

This humble backyard herb provides (% of rda/100g).

15% of folates,

11% of vitamin b-6 (pyridoxine),

45% of vitamin c,

225% of vitamin a,

258% of vitamin k,

22% of iron and

18% of manganese.

Cilantro bears strong resemblance to italian flat leaf parsley with the latter having less fragrant or smell. Both belong to the same family umbelliferae.

Cilantro's digestive aid, helps to prevent flatulence and settle queasy stomach, soothes nausea. Helps the digestive tract to produce digesive enzymes, as well as more digestive juices. Stimulates digestion also through peristaltic action the leaves of this herb should look vibrantly fresh and be deep green in color. They should be crisp, firm and free from yellow or brown spots. It has a strong smell that you either love or hate.

An antibiotic compound, dodecenal, was isolated from cilantro and tested in the laboratory.

The impressive result showed that it is twice as effective as the commonly used antibiotic drug gentamicin at killing the food-borne bacteria, salmonella.

The anti-oxidant properties from cilantro include beta carotene, vitamin c and e, ferulic, caffeic acid, kaempferol, and quercetin.

This broad spectrum of anti-oxidant helps to lower the risk of oxidative stress in the cells that are carcinogenic (cancer-causing).

Cilantro contains volatile oils that have anti-microbial properties, making it a very useful herb that can be used for fungal, bacterial or yeast infections.

Cilantro is an excellent source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Omega 3 fatty acids is the building block for several of the bodyas most widely used families of anti-inflammatory messaging molecules and many other uses.

A study that was done on mice confirmed that this herb has an anti-diabetic effect and can control blood sugar.

When juiced and consumed regularly, cilantro can help stimulate the secretion of insulin, thereby lowering blood sugar.

Cilantro is an excellent source of calcium.

Calcium is a vital nutrient that is required for formation and maintenance of strong bones.

Cilantro when juiced and consumed on a regular basis can help reduce the amount of damaged fats (lipid peroxides) in the cell membranes.

Studies have shown that cilantro can lower bad cholesterol level and increase the good cholesterol level.

The high beta-carotene and anti-oxidants in cilantro make it one of the best herbs that helps alleviate eye problems thus improving eyesight.

In addition, it also help reduce the threat posed by age; associated with vision disorders such as macular degeneration, and cataract.

Cilantro is one of the very few herbs that is used as a heavy metal detox agent, to detoxify mercury, aluminium and lead among others.

Make a small bottle of neat, concentrated cilantro juice and mix with chlorella powder.

Drink an ounce of the mixture every day and feel the improvement to your brain power.

Store the potion in the fridge.

Read more about heavy metal poisoning here.

The anti-bacterial properties shown to be effective against salmonella bacteria.

Helps to relieve diarrhea if caused by fungal or microbial infections.

The presence of anti-oxidants, rich phytonutrients, minerals and vitamins in cilantro all work syngergistically to boost the bodyas overall immunity system against infection.

Due to the various phytonutrients and medicinal values of cilantro, it helps rebalance the internal chemicals, providing a calming effect to the nerves that enable sleep to come easier.

May alleviate inflammatory conditions like arthritis.

Reduces minor swelling.

Cilantro has a diuretic and detoxifying effect that can help lower the risk for kidney stones.