Cilantro (also known as Coriander), is a wonderfully aromatic herb that you may recognize from guacamole’s or salsa. All parts of the plant are edible, but the fresh leaves and dried seeds are most traditionally used in cooking and food-making. Cilantro and coriander seeds are full of phytonutrients, flavonoids, essential oils and phenolic compounds that can help not only treat a wide variety of digestive issues, but also smallpox, diabetes, menstrual cramping, and anemia. Cilantro is known for its detoxification benefits.
The organic acids found in cilantro have been found to help lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise good cholesterol (HDL). It also helps dissolve cholesterol buildup in the arteries to help those suffering from atherosclerosis and heart disease.
In the past, cilantro has traditionally been referred to as an “anti-diabetic” plant, due to its wonderful ability to help lower cholesterol and lower blood sugar levels (it packs in a whopping 521 mg of potassium per 100 grams!). Individuals suffering from diabetes have problems regulating and keeping their blood sugar stable. Consuming cilantro and keeping sodium intake to a minimum, could help eliminate this effect. Coriandrum sativum (coriander) has antihyperglycaemic, insulin-releasing and insulin-like activity that could confirm its usefulness as a treatment of diabetes
In TCM, Coriander (Hu Sui) belongs to the ‘Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior’ category. Herbs that release the Exterior aim to to treat the early stages of diseases that affect the upper respiratory tract, the eyes, the ears, the nose, the throat or the skin. Its leaves are thought to Strengthens Spleen and Stomach, Moves Qi and Blood, Disperses Wind and Cold. Seeds – Soothes the Stomach, Disperses Wind and Cold, Moves Qi and Blood.
Hu Sui is Warm in nature. This means that Hu Sui tends to help people who have too much ‘Cold’ in their body. Those who have too much Cold in their body are said to either have a Yin Excess (because Yin is Cold in nature) or a Yang Deficiency (Yang is Hot in Nature). Hu Sui is pungent category, according to five phases, pungent plants promote the circulations of Qi and Body Fluids. That’s why for instance someone tends to sweat a lot when they eat spicy/pungent food.
Leaves – Promotes digestion, nutritive tonic, anemia, nausea, hernias, vomiting, menstrual cramps, stomach cramps, intestinal cramping, constipation, measles, sun burns, coughs, bronchitis.
Seeds – Nausea, gastrointestinal disorders, indigestion, vomiting, diarrhea, dysentery, bronchitis, coughs, arthritic pains, rheumatism, menstrual cramps, stomach cramps, intestinal cramping, constipation, restlessness, anxiety, high blood pressure.
