Industrial society has trained us to believe that good health is something that only modern medicine can provide—that true healing only comes in the form of expensive and proprietary products, pills, and technologies.
But sometimes the greatest health solutions are also the subtlest and most ancient ones. And more often than not, you can find them right in your own kitchen.
Here’s a prime example: coriander (also known as cilantro) is a healing dynamo with a whole host of uses and benefits.
It’s also delicious, as you’re probably aware. If you’re not already accustomed to keeping it around the house, here’s some great reasons why you should consider doing so.
You can use it to help detox
Regular detoxification practices (link: detox) help keep us healthy in today’s toxic world. Coriander is particularly good to removing heavy metals from our bloodstream through a process called chelation.
Unfortunately, heavy metals like mercury, lead, and cadmium are ubiquitous in our environment (mostly as industrial byproducts). They destroy the immune system, undermine neurological function, and sap your vitality.
Use cilantro to protect yourself from heavy metal toxicity by juicing it or throwing it in your smoothie. Combining it with lemon, jalapeno, and chlorella (a maybe a little granny smith apple or beet for sweetness) creates one heck of a detox juice.
It’s an anti-diabetic agent
The secretion of hormones throughout the body (including insulin) is regulated by the endocrine system. When its processes are thrown out of balance by endocrine-disrupting toxins (which are everywhere, by the way), the risk of diabetes increases (and the dangers become greater for those who already suffer from diabetes).
Coriander aids the endocrine system, regulates the secretion of insulin by the pancreas, and ensures that the proper amount of sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream. By this same process of hormone regulation, coriander also helps reduce menstrual cramps.
So while there’s no substitute for proper diet and lifestyle when it comes to treating diabetes and insulin resistance, coriander offers excellent support along the way.
It lowers cholesterol
Another prevalent health problem that coriander helps combat is high LDL (the bad cholesterol), which is one of the leading causes of heart attack and stroke.
Coriander contains oleic, linoleic, palmitic, ascorbic and stearic acid, all of which have been shown to help remove cholesterol deposits in arteries and veins.[1]
It’s powerfully anti-bacterial
We’ve mentioned the pitfalls of antibiotics before.
The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant infections like MRSA is continuing to increase. And even when antibiotics do work, they wreak havoc on our microbiome, which often never recovers from the shock.
This worrying predicament makes it fairly obvious that we need an alternative solution…and coriander may be just the ticket. It packs quite a powerful anti-bacterial punch on its own, and its high vitamin C content simultaneously helps your immune system effectively fight infection.
You can dramatically amplify its anti-microbial properties by using it in the form of high-quality coriander seed oil, which is a highly concentrated distillation of the plant’s medicinal components.
A study published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology showed that coriander seed oil is highly effective against a wide range of bacteria—including antibiotic-resistant infections.[2] And best of all, it will target harmful bacteria without adversely affecting your gut flora.
It aids in digestion
Not only does coriander not upset your microbiome while working its anti-bacterial magic, but it also actively helps your digestion.
Its antioxidants help regulate liver function and bowel movements, and it even aids in the production of digestive enzymes. Soaking coriander seeds in water (or using coriander seed oil) works wonders for indigestion.
It even makes your skin beautiful
Did you know that proper digestion and healthy gut flora help make your skin clean, clear, and radiant?
By helping keep your digestion on track, coriander indirectly contributes to healthy, beautiful skin. It also directly encourages clear skin with its vitamin-rich, detoxifying, antiseptic, antioxidant, and anti-fungal properties.
You can even use coriander seeds and coriander seed oil to treat eczema, mouth ulcers, rashes, inflamed skin, pimples, and other skin conditions.[3] Just mix coriander paste with honey and turmeric, and apply it to the skin.
It even works on allergy-related skin conditions (coriander oil functions as a general anti-histamine, and can also relieve seasonal allergies like hay fever).
It supports eye health
This same cornucopia of vitamins and antioxidants that encourages healthy skin also makes coriander an excellent preserver of optimal eye health.
Its natural phytonutrients, vitamin A, vitamin C, phosphorous, and myriad other essential oils all reduce eye strain and age-related degeneration.
Coriander seeds can even be used to prevent and treat conjunctivitis (pink eye) and other eye diseases. To treat conjunctivitis, many health experts recommend making cold compresses soaked in coriander-infused water, or even flushing the eyes with coriander water.[4]
Ready to add some more coriander to your life?
It’s always convenient when natural healing tools are also delicious. Fresh cilantro is always a treat—add it to eggs, salads, stir frys, or any other recipes that you enjoy. It works particularly well in curries and chutneys (coriander is a frequently used spice in Indian cuisine).
And remember, if you want to reap the full healing benefits that coriander has to offer, consider using coriander seed oil (especially the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections).
You’ll be amazed by the healing power that this little plant packs…and I bet you’ll be inspired to turn some of your focus from Big Medicine to more of the natural healing wonders that are all around us.
References
[1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18831331
[2] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21862758
[3] http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/amazing-benefits-of-coriander-seeds/
[4] http://www.findhomeremedy.com/11-home-remedies-for-pink-eye-or-conjunctivitis/
