Cilantro is an herb endemic to Europe, but its fame has since spread around the globe. Nonetheless, it is often mistaken for parsley, another herb in the same family, because of its bright green color and flat, toothed leaves.

Cilantro seems to appear in all sorts of dishes and cuisines, from Mexican salsa to Chinese stir-fries and even Brazilian sauce, despite non-fans’ reports of its soap-like taste and texture.

That being said, there’s no cuisine out there that uses this sensational herb more often than Mediterranean cuisine. It just isn’t an authentic Mediterranean dish if it hasn’t got a generous sprinkling of cilantro on top!

Health benefits

Cilantro has a strong, pungent taste reminiscent of a sage and lemon combo. Like most herbs, it introduces a clean, bright and fresh feeling to foods or dishes. But that isn’t all that cilantro is good for.

Numerous studies attest to cilantro’s incredible nutritional profile, chock-full of antioxidants and essential micronutrients, including potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and manganese.

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that this sharp and pungent herb has a range of health benefits to offer, from better digestion to reduced cancer risk.

Detoxifies

Cilantro’s biochemical profile renders it an ideal herb for cleansing or detox. This profile includes potent organic compounds like carotenoids and terpenoids that scour the blood for harmful free radicals that can trigger chronic diseases.

Recent studies suggest that cilantro also functions as a chelating agent, meaning it can help eliminate heavy metals in the body. For instance, taking both cilantro and chlorella, a type of green algae, can remove about 87 percent of lead, 74 percent of aluminum and 91 percent of mercury from the body in just a little more than a month.

Eases pain and inflammation

Suffering from aches and pains? Eat cilantro. Studies find that this fragrant herb possesses natural analgesic properties. In particular, the compound called linalool acts on central pain receptors to reduce pain. It can also stamp out inflammation.

Fights infection

In traditional medicine, the essential oils of cilantro are used against certain pathogenic bacteria and fungi that spread through fecal-oral transmission. These include Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans.

In addition, recent studies suggest that the antibacterial action of cilantro is also potent in fighting urinary tract infections. In effect, cilantro helps keep the urinary tract healthy and free from pathogenic bacteria that can cause infection.

Protects against cancer

Promising animal-based research suggests that cilantro can protect against cancer. Potent compounds in cilantro, like terpenoids and phthalides, are also capable of shrinking tumors and inhibiting further tumor formation.

Supports digestion

Recent studies found that cilantro promotes efficient digestion by stimulating the production of enzymes that process foods. Natural healers also utilized cilantro to settle nauseous stomachs, ease bloating, and keep stomach gas from building up.

Reduces cholesterol

Existing research indicates that cilantro supports heart health through its beneficial effects against high cholesterol. Cilantro can reduce cholesterol and improve one’s lipid profile. Both of these are major risk factors for heart disease and its complications, such as heart attack and stroke.

Minimizes diabetes risk

Existing research indicates that cilantro supports heart health through its beneficial effects against high cholesterol. Cilantro can reduce cholesterol and improve one’s lipid profile. Both of these are major risk factors for heart disease and its complications, such as heart attack and stroke.

Supports skin health

On top of improving risk factors for chronic conditions, antioxidants in cilantro can also boost skin health, both from the inside and on the outside.

Eating cilantro, for instance, cleans the blood and minimizes the risk of breaking out. Cilantro can also cure bacterial or fungal infections of the skin from the inside.

If applied as a topical treatment, cilantro delivers fast-acting relief from skin irritations, including hives and sunburn. You can also blend together fresh cilantro and coconut oil for soothing inflamed skin.

Boosts brain health

Eating cilantro on a regular basis can lead to better brain health. This effect is all thanks to its combination of antioxidants and brain-boosting nutrients, such as folate, choline and manganese.

Kills parasites

On top of its antibacterial and antifungal properties, cilantro has also been found to possess anthelmintic properties. This means it can help kill parasites in the body.

That being said, this effect isn’t just beneficial in the realm of medicine. It can also be utilized to keep perishable foods like meat and fish from spoiling.

Cilantro recipes

Being a delicate herb, cilantro is often added at the end of preparing a dish, or as a garnish. But there are some recipes out there that make generous use of cilantro during the cooking process.

Cilantro is also sometimes used to add a spicier taste to coconut milk, peanut sauce, barbecue sauce and fruits. Give these recipes a go for a delicious and nutritious approach to using this quintessential Meditteranean herb.

Cilantro pesto

This humble pesto recipe features fresh and nutritious superfoods. It’s a great approach to incorporating cilantro into a meal as it can be used as a dipping sauce for bread or a foundation for pasta and other dishes.

Total time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cilantro, stems included
• 1/2 cup blanched almonds
• 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon serrano chili, chopped and seeded
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt

Preparation:

1. In a small skillet on high heat, toast the blanched almonds. Once fragrant, remove the almonds from the pan.
2. In a food processor, pulse the almonds, cilantro, onion, chili and salt.
3. Pour in the olive oil as the food processor continues to pulse.
4. Add more oil if needed.

Cilantro lime compound butter

What’s healthier than the usual, unsalted butter? Herb-infused butter! This recipe is great for adding a healthier touch to a stick of unsalted butter. Use it on steaks, pancakes, shrimp and salad dressings.

Total time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon lime zest
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

Preparation:

1. In a medium-sized bowl, mix the cilantro with the lime juice, lime zest and salt.
2. Mash the softened butter into the cilantro and lime mixture. Mix until the cilantro is well distributed throughout the butter.
3. Shape the butter into a log and refrigerate it until stiff.

Cilantro ginger carrots

Crisp tender carrots and cooling cilantro make for a bright and delightful summer-themed dish.

Total time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. fresh carrots, sliced on a diagonal
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Preparation:

1. In a large pan on medium-high heat, melt the butter.
2. Toss in the carrots and cook until tender but crisp, about 4–6 minutes.
3. Toss in the ginger and cook for 1 more minute.
4. Stir in the cilantro and season with salt and pepper.

Radish, carrot and cilantro salad

Bright carrots and radishes make for a delightful dish to eat alongside homemade tacos and meat dishes.

Total time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 6 green onions
• 1 1/2 lb. radishes, sliced
• 1 1/2 lb. carrots, sliced
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons orange juice
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

Preparation:

1. In a large bowl, combine the radishes, carrots, onions and cilantro.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, orange juice and extra-virgin olive oil.
3. Toss in the lemon zest and orange zest. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Pour the dressing over the salad, then toss to coat.

Cream of cilantro soup

This rich and delicate cilantro cream soup is a comfort food like no other. Fresh cilantro gives it its strong and unique flavor, and Mexican cream gives it its filling richness.

Total time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 large bunch cilantro
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/2 white onion
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 3/4 cup Mexican cream
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Preparation:

1. Roughly chop the onion and garlic. Saute them in the olive oil until soft and fragrant.
2. Toss in the cilantro and saute over medium heat until the cilantro has wilted.
3. Pour in 2 cups of water and add black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes, then turn off the heat and let cool.
4. Once cool, blend the cilantro mixture until smooth.
5. Strain the cilantro mixture into a bowl. Press on the pulp to extract as much of the mixture as possible. Set aside for 10 minutes to cool.
6. Prepare the cream in a bowl. Once the cilantro mixture has cooled, slowly pour it into the bowl with the cream while stirring.
7. Once the cilantro mixture has been combined with the cream, pour in 2 cups of water. Stir well and make sure there are no lumps.
8. Heat the chicken broth, but don’t bring it to a boil. Once warm, slowly pour it into the cilantro and cream soup base.
9. Simmer the soup for 15 minutes or until thick.

Cilantro boasts an incredible nutrition profile and a long list of health benefits. Use it to garnish dishes or incorporate it into recipes to make the most of their natural goodness.

Sources:

StyleCraze.com

TimesOfIndia.IndiaTimes.com

ReadyNutrition.com

SimplyRecipes.com 1

SimplyRecipes.com 2

TasteOfHome.com 1

TasteOfHome.com 2

MexicanFoodJournal.com