Coriander/Cilantro/Chinese Parsley
Healing essence of coriander
Coriander is indigenous to southern Europe, but it is used widely in Asiatic and South American cuisine as well as that of the Mediterranean region. Its leaves are used to garnish salads and the roots feature regularly in Thai cooking. However, the small fruits (often called seeds) are the most important part of the plant and are a crucial ingredient of curry powders. It is also used in a range of savoury dishes, desserts and confectioneries, as well as in liqueurs and perfumes. The same is true from a medicinal perspective, as the fruits contain the highest concentrations of all the important phytonutrients that occur in this plant. While there is still limited understanding of the mechanisms through which it acts, initial research indicates that it is effective as both a treatment and preventive agent for several chronic diseases. Medicinal PropertiesCancer
Coriander’s anti-tumourigenic properties have been demonstrated in relation to colon cancer. It works by protecting against the damaging effects of lipid oxidation associated with this malignancy. It is highly probable that it also contributes to the low incidences of several of other cancer types seen in the populations of Eastern nations that consume large quantities of this spice. Cardiovascular disease and blood lipidsIt lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels, helping to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and thereby heart attack and stroke.It does this through two mechanisms: by inhibiting the uptake of these lipids in the intestines, and by enhancing their breakdown and excretion. DiabetesCoriander has dual blood glucose-lowering effects in diabetes.It works both by enhancing the secretion of insulin from the pancreas and exhibiting insulin-like activity at cellular level. ChelationCompounds found in coriander leaves are powerful chelators of toxic heavy metals.They have been shown specifically to help and to eliminate lead deposits from the kidneys and bones. Spice supplementVitaSpice capsules contain coriander and 20 other important medicinal spicesImportant phytonutrientsAntioxidants: Caffeic acid, camphene, chlorogenic acid, isoquercitrin, myrcene, quercetin, rutin, vanillic acidOthers: Angelicin, apigenin, beta-sitosterol, borneol, camphor, cineole, cinnamic acid, geraniol, limonene, myristicin, terpinenes
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