Benefits of Cilantro According to Ayurveda

 Cilantro According to Ayurveda

In Ayurveda cilantro is used to provide health benefits in the form of reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and seizure severity, as well as raising energy levels and healthy hair and skin.

A Whole Edible Plant

In Ayurveda coriander has traditionally been used to ease gastrointestinal discomfort. The seeds are used specifically to support appetite and the digestive and detoxification processes. The seeds can be used whole or ground into a powder and used as a warming spice, which may help to gently stimulate appetite, assimilate nutrients, and aid in the elimination of natural toxins.

The leaves, most commonly known as Cilantro, are often used fresh, and are said to be cooling and can be made into juice or a poultice used to ease mild skin irritation, making this plant completely edible from seed to leaves. 

This means, energetically, in Ayurvedic terms, coriander is considered both a warming and cooling herb, depending on the part of the plant used. 

Coriander Seed Uses & Benefits

Even though coriander is mainly known for benefiting the digestive system, it may also be used to aid the urinary system and the lungs by helping to clear heat and mucous, respectively.

Properties of  Cilantro:  Alkalizing 

GUNAS (NATURE): Sattvic (balanced energy)  

DOSHAS: Vata/Pitta/Kapha Balancing 

Element: Air and Ether

Superpower:  Immune System Super herb

Tastes: Bitter Pungent 

The Benefits of  Cilantro

What’s so great about Cilantro?

Not only does this flavorful, bright herb have unlimited culinary applications, but surprisingly to many people cilantro benefits the body and has many known healing properties.

• Calms the Immune System & Rashes: A traditional remedy for rashes like summer poison-ivy, allergy related hives, or even just a sunburn. It is hypoallergenic due to natural anti-histamine, which directly calms the immune system. 
• Digestive Coolant: A favourite garnish, similar to lime, cilantro often is added to a spicy recipes. Cilantro aids digestion, acts as a carminative preventing gas, and burns ama (toxins). Some even claim that cilantro is useful for  the removal of heavy metals from the blood stream.
• Drying & Detoxifying: Cilantro helps to soften stool, and is a diuretic that clears inflammation from the urinary tract. Despite its drying effect, cilantro in small quantities does not aggravate Vata or cause constipation.
• Calming & Soothing: Fresh cilantro is the herb of choice for aggravated Pitta. Cilantro calms pitta directly in the liver & improves eyesight.

    Cilantro also is known to be beneficial for:

• Protects Against Colon Cancer

• Prevents Neurological Inflammation

• Supports Healthy Menstrual Function

• Protects Against Food Poisoning 

• Prevents Urinary Tract Infections

• Protects Against Cardiovascular Disease

• Lowers Blood Sugar Levels

• Lowers Anxiety and Improves Sleep

• Protects Against Oxidative Stress

How to use it as a medicine

•  Crushing the leaves releases enzymes that break down aldehydes and destroy the 'soapy' or 'buggy' odor of cilantro. Crush it in a mortar and pestle, chopped or served as a pesto.
• To make a topical remedy for sunburn or rash, take a bunch of cilantro and put it in a blender. Strain the juice from the pulp. Apply pulp to your rash and drink the juice.