Naturalhomeremedies.co Nov 2011 Issue # 8

Aarogya for life is but life when blessed with health

In this Issue:

Cilantro/Coriander

Nutritional value

Health benefits of coriander

Home remedies with coriander

Coriander dip

CILANTRO/CORIANDER LEAVES

Coriander, also called cilantro, is not only one of the

world's oldest spices, but is also one of the important

ones that have healing properties. Its scientific name

is Coriandrum sativum. Coriander has been used in

Asian countries for thousands of years. It has been

used as a spice in Roman culture to preserve meat

and was also cultivated in ancient Egypt.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE

The coriander plant is said to have anti bacterial and

anti microbial properties. It is not only rich in

phytonutrients but also a very good source of dietary

fibre, iron, magnesium and manganese. Iron is

essential for red blood cell production and cures

Anaemia. 100g of the leaves provide 40% of daily

recommended levels of vitamin C. The vitamin A

present in it helps to maintain healthy mucus

membranes and skin. It is also very important for

good vision.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF CILANTRO

The herb cilantro is commonly used to garnish food

in India. It's a member of the carrot family and is

available throughout the year. This humble herb

which is so beneficial to health is best eaten raw. It

bears oval shaped aromatic seeds, which also have

various medicinal properties.

CILANTRO/CORIANDER LEAVES

AIDS DIGESTION

Cilantro has long been used in Chinese medicine as

a digestive aid. The herb helps to prevent nausea

and stomach upsets. A couple of tsps of coriander

leaf juice mixed with buttermilk helps cure digestive

Naturalhomeremedies.co Nov 2011 Issue # 8

disorders. It is stimulates the appetite and helps in

the secretion of gastric juices. It also helps cure

diarrhoea.

DETOXIFIES THE BODY

It is also said to cleanse the body of heavy metals

such as mercury and lead. It's a blood purifier and

hence helps detoxify the body.

SWELLINGS

Cineole and linoleic acid, two of the essential oils

present in coriander have anti rheumatic and anti

arthritic properties. Thus coriander is very beneficial

for any swelling caused by these two ailments. A

compress of damp, crushed coriander leaves can be

applied to the swelling for relief. As an antioxidant

cilantro helps reduce inflammation.

CHOLESTEROL

Some of the acids present in cilantro like linoleum

acid and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) very effectively

reduce cholesterol in the blood and cholesterol

deposition in the arteries and veins. According to

whfoods.com, when given to rats fed on a high fat

and high cholesterol diet, coriander lowered levels of

total and LDL cholesterol, while actually increasing

the good cholesterol, HDL.

DIABETES

The coriander plant is referred to as an anti diabetic

plant in some parts of Europe. Animal research has

shown that when coriander was added to the diet

of diabetic mice, it stimulated the secretion of

insulin and lowered their blood sugar.

FIGHTS FOOD BORNE ILLNESS

Coriander contains an antibacterial compound

called dodecenal, which lab tests have shown to be

more effective than the commonly used antibiotic

for fighting salmonella, a deadly cause of food

borne illness. Dodecenal was found to be a potent

antibiotic.

CORIANDER SEEDS

RICH IN VITAMIN K

It is one of the richest sources of vitamin K. Vitamin

K promotes osteotrophic activity in the bones and

builds bone mass. It also helps in the treatment of

Alzheimer's disease by limiting neuronal damage in

their brain.

Naturalhomeremedies.co Nov 2011 Issue # 8

EYE CARE

The vitamin A and vitamin C and minerals in

coriander prevents macular degeneration and

soothes the eye. It is also used to cure conjuctivitis.

MOUTH ULCERS

Coriander, contains essential oils that help to heal

wounds and ulcers in the mouth. It also freshens the

breath. Just chew on crushed coriander leaves for a

couple of minutes every day for a few days.

HOME REMEDIES WITH CORIANDER

➢ A decoction made from 2 tbsp of pounded

bark of the neem tree, 2 tbsp of pounded

coriander seeds, a tsp of cardamom, and 2

glasses of water is very good for fever. It can

be had with honey.

➢ A decoction of a tbsp of coriander seeds with

a glass of water, reduced to half, strained and

taken twice daily, is a good diuretic as well as

a cholesterol lowering remedy.

➢ For nose bleeds, grind fresh coriander leaves

and put one or two drops of it's juice into the

nostril. This helps to stop the bleeding.

➢ A tsp of fresh ginger juice and a tbsp of fresh

coriander juice can be taken 2-3 times a day

for hyperacidity and heart burn. Also, crush

one spoon each of coriander and cumin

seeds coarsely, add half a litre of water to it

and leave it overnight. Mash the seeds in

the morning, filter it, add sugar to taste and

have 2-3 tbsp twice a day for 4-5 days.

➢ Boil a tsp of crushed cumin seeds in a cup

of water for 2-3 mins. Grind a tbsp of

washed, fresh coriander leaves. Add this to

the cooled cumin herbal tea, with a pinch

of salt. Drink 2-3 times a day after a light

meal for diarrhoea.

➢ At the start of dysentry, a herbal decoction

made with 2 tbsps of dried coriander seeds

and taken with plain water or buttermilk,

helps to soothe the intestinal lining and

decrease the quantity of mucus in the stool.

➢ To get temporary relief from muscle sprains

and strains, crush a handful of eucalyptus

leaves, a few cloves, 10-12 mint leaves, a

few sprigs of coriander leaves, and grind

them together. Add 1-2 tbsp of warm

coconut oil, and apply locally.

(from Home Doctor by P S Phadke)

CORIANDER DIP

Ingredients:

1 bunch mint leaves

1 bunch coriander leaves

3 green chillies

4 tbsp yogurt

1 tsp cumin seeds

3 dates and salt to taste

Naturalhomeremedies.co Nov 2011 Issue # 8

Method

Separate the mint leaves from the stem and

chop the coriander leaves including the

stem. Wash the greens thoroughly and grind

all the ingredients together.

The mint, coriander, yogurt and cumin have

cooling properties and hence this recipe is

very good in summer.

This newsletter is for information purposes

only. Please use the information in consultation

with your physician.

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