Coriander belongs to the botanical genus of Coriandrum Sativum, commonly known as Cilantro, Chinese Parsley, Dhanya. This herb is an annual plant belonging to the family Apiaceae, which is associated with the Celery, Carrots, and Parsley family.
Coriander, a medicinal plant, was one of the first spices introduced to the British colonies in North America in 1670 and was first cultivated there by the early settlers. Coriander is native to southwest Asia, Southern Europe, and parts of Northern Africa.
It is a delicate plant that can grow up to just 20 inches in height. The leaves on the surface of the plant and the leaves at the base have some contrast traits. These leaves, which grow on stems, are as light as feathers.
The flowers that bloom on this herbaceous plant are white or very pale pink, like a small umbrella, which is asymmetrical. The petals of these flowers are elliptic to 5 mm to 6 mm long from the center.
The fruit, which is 3 mm to 5 mm in diameter, is often used as a spice or for extra flavor in other dishes. Although all parts of the plant are edible, their fresh leaves and dried seeds are often used primarily in all kinds of cooking for their medicinal properties.
Coriander is widely used in Indian, South Asian, Southeast Asian, Caucasian, Brazil, Middle Eastern, Central Asian, Mediterranean, Tex-Mex, Latin, Scandinavian, Chinese, Portuguese, African, and American cuisines.
The Phytochemicals in coriander give the food flavor and aroma just like many spices. The leaves are especially rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K, as well as a moderate content of dietary minerals.
Despite seeds being generally low in vitamins, they are also rich in calcium, fiber, iron, selenium, manganese, and magnesium. Coriander is used as the main spice in international cuisine and is used as one of the main spices in soups, salsa, curry, and so on.
Coriander leaves are often used when they are green but their seeds are well dried in the sunlight and then used as a powder.
Many of those who use coriander are unaware of its medicinal properties and nutritional value, and they often use coriander for its exotic taste, unique aroma, and refreshing properties. However, indirectly these are good for their health.
1. Lowers Blood Sugar Level : Type 2 diabetes is also considered lifelong diabetes because it inhibits the body's production of insulin and does not allow enough insulin to enter the blood, which can increase blood sugar levels, causing a variety of damage.
The most important cause of type 2 diabetes is high blood sugar. Whole coriander seeds, as well as the oils and juices extracted from them, are all effective in lowering blood sugar levels.
But people taking medicines for diabetes should use coriander only on the advice of a doctor. Coriander is very active in lowering sugar levels so it is important to be very careful especially when consuming it by people with low blood sugar.
2. Effectively Fights with Infections : Coriander contains antimicrobial compounds that help fight various infections and effectively protect the body's immune system.
Coriander contains a combination of chemical compounds that can fight deadly bacteria, such as Salmonella and (the study reports that these bacteria affect 1.2 million people a year in the United States), which causes life-threatening food poisoning.
For these kinds of reasons, it is highly recommended to add coriander to our daily diet. Coriander oil also has antimicrobial properties and can be used in any type of food.
A test-tube study found that coriander seeds, the most important ingredient in Indian spices, provide intensive treatment and cure for urinary tract infections known as UTIs in the medical field.
3. Helps in Healthy Heart Function : Excess water and sodium may increase blood pressure. Coriander leaf extract acts as a diuretic and helps in expelling excess water and sodium from the body which can effectively lower blood pressure.
Coriander leaves and seeds have a strong anti-sodium content, which is why it is recognized by various researchers as an excellent medicine and spice. Coriander drastically improves heart health by maintaining a balanced level of sodium in the body.
Studies show that people who consume whole seeds that naturally occur in coriander plants have lower rates of heart disease symptoms and side effects than those who consume store-bought coriander powder.
4. Rich in Immune-Boosting Antioxidants : Studies have shown that a variety of antioxidants in coriander control the growth of free radicals and prevent cellular damage.
These include the antioxidant compounds of the herbal plants, such as quercetin, tocopherols, and terpinene, which have anti-inflammatory properties that fight inflammation in your body.
Furthermore, the results of the animal and test-tube study carried out with coriander reported that coriander has anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, which may have beneficial effects on neuropathy.
5. Promotes Flawless Digestion : The volatile essential oils extracted from coriander seeds regulate the different state of the body and promote peristaltic and digestive motility. A study was conducted on 32 participants (two groups) with an Irritable Bowel Syndrome called IBS.
One group was given 30 drops of coriander juice and another group was given a placebo three times a day at any rate for about 8 weeks.
Finally, the results showed that the swelling, discomfort, and abdominal pain in IBS patients who ingested coriander juice were significantly reduced.
6. Promotes Healthy Brain Function : Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson's are neurological diseases that can affect brain cells in particular and are associated with inflammation.
The intense anti-inflammatory properties of coriander protect the body from neurological diseases and act within the body to prevent inflammation.
In a study of mice with neurological diseases, they were given coriander extract. After a few days, the results showed that the antioxidant properties of the coriander healed the damage of the nerve cells in the rats and relieved the induced seizures in them.
7. Protects Skin From Infections : Coriander contains compounds that are used to treat various skin diseases and skin ailments, including mild rashes, dermatitis, red patches, and inflammation.
Therefore, skin problems can be solved by drinking coriander juice internally or by applying a paste of coriander leaves on the affected areas externally.
Diapers used in newborns can cause skin rashes, red patches, inflammation, psoriasis, etc. To protect the baby, various effects can be avoided by massaging the affected areas with coriander extract.
8. Aids in Weight Loss : Coriander leaves are rich in antioxidants and do not contain cholesterol, besides, these are considered an excellent source of dietary fiber. Coriander plays an important role in lowering LDL cholesterol, one of the risk factors for high blood pressure and heart disease.
Some animal and test-tube studies show that daily coriander consumption reduces bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol levels called HDL.
Coriander seeds were given to mice with high LDL cholesterol, which eventually showed a significant decrease in LDL cholesterol and a significant increase in HDL cholesterol.
9. Easy to Add to Daily Diet : All parts of the medicinal coriander plant are edible. Although coriander seeds have a distinctive taste and aroma, their green leaves are as citrus-like, which is why it is customary to include the leaves in all meat dishes.
Unbroken whole seeds of coriander can be added to cooked lentils, fried vegetables, pickles, rubs, boiled vegetables, and so on. When the seeds are heated in oil or ghee, the seeds release their intense aroma.
Coriander seeds thus processed are used in flours and pastes. Coriander leaves are mainly used in western dishes like fresh tomato salsa, soup, cold pasta salads, Thai noodles. The paste made for processing salsa, meat, burritos, etc. is mixed with lemon juice, coconut milk, peanuts, garlic, and coriander.
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