For more than 3000 years, it has been grown in southern Europe, and then throughout the world, a plant that many people know under the twofold name - cilantro and coriander. In fact, these are different parts of the same herb. Cilantro - leaves of a plant, coriander - its seeds. Initially, the grass was used by people exclusively for medicinal purposes. Only later it began to be used as a spicy additive to dishes.
Description and chemical composition of the plant
Cilantro as a plant belongs to the family of umbrella. Numerous small flowers of white or pink color testify to their relationship. They are arranged in the form of umbrellas at the very top, where the upright stalk branches into several parts. The leaves of cilantro are tripartite, similar to lace.
The plant is rich in beneficial substances that provide it with high nutritional value.
| Calorie, kcal | 23 |
| B (proteins, g) | 2,21 |
| W (fats, g) | 0,49 |
| (Carbohydrates, g) | 0,93 |
| Cellulose, g | 2,72 |
| Water, g | 91,13 |
The composition of cilantro contains a variety of useful substances:
Vitamins (choline, groups B - B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, as well as A, C, E, PP).- Minerals (K, Ca, Mg, Na, P, Fe).
- Organic acids (oleic, isooleic, linoleic, ascorbic, stearic, palmitic, myristic).
- Saturated fatty acids.
- Mono - and disaccharides.
- Tannins.
- Aromatic oil.
- Natural sugars.
- Alkaloids.
- Starch.
Vitamins (choline, groups B - B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, as well as A, C, E, PP).A variety of biologically active elements provides the plant with the same rich set of nutritional and medicinal properties.
Features of the collection and storage of herbs and seeds
Until the cilantro has flowered, its lace leaves are used as food. When the seeds have already started to form, the greens become inedible. Cilantro blooms in all regions in different ways, it usually occurs in June and July. In the north of Russia - in August-September. Harvest until the plant has slowed its growth and is not beginning to bloom. Sprigs are cut with a sharp knife, washed in running water.
Seeds appear as green balls. During this period, collecting them is still impossible, too early. They still have a very unpleasant taste, smell, bitterness. It is necessary to wait until the seeds (coriander) acquire a straw-golden color, a wonderful smell. When at last the seeds become brown in color, the stem is cut off near the ground. The entire crop is formed into separate bunches, which are then suspended. In the process of drying, the seeds will crumble, so you need to put oilcloth, paper, so as not to lose them.
If the grass is harvested for the future, for the winter, it should not be immediately cut into pieces. Dry the plant in its original form, and then crushed and stored in sealed packages. For use in the next three days, fresh cilantro twigs can be placed in a glass of water like flowers and stored in a refrigerator. It is only necessary not to forget to prune the stems from time to time, to refresh the water.
Medicinal properties of cilantro
The plant is an effective drug. It is always present in the gastric collections, has anti-hemorrhoid effect.
There is another therapeutic effect:
Anti-inflammatory due to linoleic acid and cineole.- Bactericidal.
- Healing
- Cleans the blood. Restores the balance of blood, leads to normal indicators of cholesterol, sugar.
- Hematopoietic. Increases hemoglobin concentration.
- Protects the liver. Provide this special essential oils.
- Diuretic. Removes puffiness, improves kidney function.
- Normalizes vision. Phosphorus, vitamins A and C prevent age-related changes.
- It treats and prevents skin diseases.
- Improves the state of the nervous system.
- Eliminates male diseases (prostatitis, impotence).
- Helps to eliminate female pathologies. Enhances the secretion of estrogen.
Anti-inflammatory due to linoleic acid and cineole.Hot extracts from seeds and herbs are used for diseases of the respiratory tract. Drugs also stimulate blood circulation, thereby improving the condition of many organs, help with disorders in the nervous system.
Cilantro in traditional medicine
Green cilantro is recommended to chew for inflammatory processes in the mouth. Such procedures relieve bleeding gums and strengthen them, heal minor wounds. Helps the herb to eliminate bad breath. To do this, you need 5-7 minutes to hold on the fire a decoction of 1 tsp. / 0.5 l of water. Rinse to remove the fume after alcohol, smoking and in other cases.
From the juice of the plant make lotions on the damaged skin. They help to restore the structure of tissues, accelerate their regeneration. Heal not only wounds, but also eczema, burns.
To restore the function of the digestive system, use a recipe using cilantro seeds in an amount of 20-30 g. Grind them using any available tools (mortar), fall asleep in a thermos. Fill with liter only boiled water. Take a cup after a meal.
To remove a nervous overstrain, it is necessary in advance to stock up with tincture of cilantro seeds, preparing it according to the following recipe: 1 tbsp. l raw materials pour 100 ml of alcohol-containing liquid (moonshine, vodka), insist two weeks, filter. It turns out antidepressant fairly strong action. It needs to take ten days or more. The daily rate is fifty drops.
Useful properties for women
Cilantro tends to thicken blood a little. Because of this quality, it is undesirable to take it regularly and in large doses during pregnancy. During feeding, this product should also be avoided. Milk acquires an unusual taste and, as a rule, do not like kids.
Slimming
Cilantro is a low-calorie product. It has a high nutritional value. Ideal for inclusion in diets for obesity. Salads, green cocktails and other dishes are made from it. Cilantro has the ability to excrete toxins from the body, to promote weight loss, the overall improvement of the body.
On the other hand, cilantro increases the appetite, speeds up the processes of digestion. On green cocktails, which include cilantro, it is good to spend fasting days. To make a drink, you must have a blender. Put in a bowl one banana, an apple and a bunch of fresh greens. Add a little water to give a liquid consistency, mix everything up.
Cilantro to strengthen bone tissue
Over time, the state of the bone tissue undergoes age-related changes, as a result of which its structure becomes more fragile, etc. With the onset of menopause, osteoporosis can even develop due to dramatic changes in the body. Cilantro contains a lot of calcium, vitamin K.
Due to the regular use of cilantro in the food become stronger bones. Positive changes occur with tooth enamel: it becomes stronger and healthier, decreases sensitivity to cold / hot / sweet.
During menstruation
Cilantro is useful for women in the premenstrual period, during menstruation. It helps to reduce or completely remove pain, make the woman’s nervous system more stable, normalize the cycle if it is disturbed.
Useful properties for men
It is believed that the male diet consists mainly of meat and alcohol, but this is far from the case. Cilantro helps solve many health problems. Is no exception and the male body.
If tormented by a hangover
To remove intoxication will help already known to us green cocktail.
This time the ingredients will be somewhat different:
- cilantro;
- celery;
- dill;
- parsley.
Each type of greens to take on a small bunch, you can add an apple and some honey for taste. Such a cocktail will remove all alcoholic toxins from the body. With regular use in food can even discourage interest in alcoholic beverages.
Help the stomach
Green cilantro and its seeds improve digestion. The secretion of gastric juices increases, as a result, food is better digested and absorbed by the body. A large amount of fiber in the grass helps to clean the intestines, to improve its work.
Problems with potency
Cilantro has a healing effect on male reproductive organs. Helps to get rid of the prostate, increases the potency. Therefore, those men who are attentive to their health, do not neglect this green grass. Even in ancient China, cilantro was used to increase libido.
Cilantro improves the functioning of the heart, the state of the circulatory system, including small peripheral vessels (capillaries), which helps to normalize an erection in men. The grass cleanses, heals the entire body, and this has a positive effect on the quality of sperm, the state of the reproductive organs.
Application in cosmetology
As shown, cilantro in combination with protein (or yogurt) - an excellent whitening agent for the skin at home. Helps to remove age spots, freckles, and more. The infusion of herbs provides excellent facial skin care. Brew 40 g of clean minced raw water with water, strain, use for wiping (washing) the face.
Cilantro is widely used in the perfume industry, due to the high content of essential oils. From it prepare creams, lotions, used in soap making.
Harm plants for health and contraindications
When used excessively, cilantro can show not only its beneficial effect, but also undesirable effects. One-time consumption rate should range from 30-40 grams. In addition to this, it will not always be useful.
There is a category of people who may experience negative body reactions:
- sleep disturbance;
- memory impairment;
- failures in the monthly cycle.
Use of cilantro is undesirable for pregnant, lactating women, as well as for people prone to thrombophlebitis, heart attack, stroke, and cholecystitis.
Use cilantro best fresh. Only in this case, it will open all the wealth and variety of its amazing capabilities.
