There are some plants, herbs, fruits, or vegetables that seem to do it all. They can decrease your cancer risk, improve digestion, boost the immune system, lower stress levels, or even combat diabetes. Cilantro is one of those herbs.
Some people don’t like the taste of cilantro, claiming it tastes like soap or that it overpowers every dish that it’s in. Sometimes people put the stems in their food, which do have a slightly bitter flavor. One of the best ways to mellow the flavor is to chop, blend, or crush the leaves. You can add it to juices, sauces, salsas, or soups. It might be time to reevaluate your feelings about cilantro after you hear all that it can do for the body.
Protects Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be caused by sexual activity, E. coli, genetics, diabetes, or other bacteria. The antibacterial compounds in cilantro actually work to cleanse the urinary tract of toxins or unhealthy bacteria. You can soak 2 teaspoons of coriander seeds in water overnight, strain the seeds, in the morning, and consume that water for best results if you have a UTI.
Heavy Metals Be Gone
When you ingest cilantro, it actually binds to heavy metal toxins in your body and works to cleanse them from your system. In fact, cilantro is beneficial for your kidneys and liver because it accelerates the toxin elimination process.
Reduces Oxidative Stress
Cilantro can help prevent against oxidative stress in the body. Since oxidative stress is linked to diseases like cancer, macular degeneration, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, or hear disease, cilantro may become your new favorite ingredient. Cilantro has amazing antioxidants that help fight free radicals in the body, ultimately reducing oxidative stress.
Calms Anxiety
Studies have shown that cilantro has anti-anxiety properties. If you consume 100-200mg of cilantro a day, it is better than consuming anti-anxiety drugs. And your body doesn’t have to deal with the negative side effects of these medications.
Lowers Blood Pressure
Potassium helps to naturally lower blood pressure because it helps regulate sodium levels in the body. In addition to cilantro’s potassium content, it also acts as a natural diuretic to help dilate blood vessels.
Soothes The Stomach
People have been using cilantro for thousands of years to soothe upset stomachs or prevent gas and bloating. Cilantro can also help reduce nausea, ease stomach cramps, and aid indigestion. If you think about it, many curries, stews, or spicy noodle dishes all contain chopped fresh cilantro to help reduce heartburn and promote healthy digestion.
Fights Diabetes
Cilantro does a great job at naturally lowering blood sugar, but wait…it does more. This herb helps lower inflammation in the pancreas and it helps detoxify the liver. Some diabetics consider cilantro to be a life-changing herb.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
