Personally I've used, one in glass alas, in the kitchen but not as a natural remedy because I have never crossed my mind. And this is not good because the spices are excellent as natural medicines (used with due caution is obvious). So also the coriander over that as dressing should also be exploited for its beneficial properties. You know them?
Coriander: what do you know?
- It belongs to the family Apiaceae (so relative of fennel);
- its botanical name is coriander;
- it is also called Chinese parsley (the smell a lot like the bugs);
- but it does not originate in the East of the Mediterranean countries;
- those found at the supermarket in bottles are the fruits, seem peppercorns;
- confetti carnival are named this spice, in the Renaissance in fact it was the custom frosting coriander seeds in different colors, then replaced (do not know how) to paper disks;
- in the kitchen they use them to produce liquors but also to flavor rice and sausages and mash or to make us the curry (masala);
- in ancient times it was used as an aromatic and medicinal plant by the Egyptians, the Jews, the Greeks and the Romans. The Romans in particular used it against fever and headaches.
Coriander, very similar to parsley, has thin roots, the stem is about 50 cm high, branched at the top. It has toothed leaves, alternate and jagged. It blooms in summer and the flowers are white, meeting umbellifer form. Fructifies between June and July.
It can be grown in pots is sown throughout the year in fertile ground (away from the fennel, but near aniseed), germinates in about a week, when the plant grows it can harvest the leaves.
Use and conservation of leaves: they can be used fresh, dried or frozen.
Use and conservation of fruits: the fruits are dried and can be used whole or ground and should be stored away from light and moisture, and then in glass jars.
Coriander: properties and health benefits
So what are these famous virtues that we should keep in mind if we buy coriander?
- tones the nervous system;
- It stimulates digestion;
- It keeps active the brain activity;
- antispasmodic, useful against cramps and colitis;
- fatigue;
- antiseptic;
- carminative, which helps to expel gas abdominal, calm heartburn, and stimulates the appetite;
- It fosters creativity and concentration;
- analgesic, shown against headaches;
- diaphoretic;
- purifying, helps the body to excrete heavy metals through diuresis and perspiration, also stimulates the kidneys and protects them;
- relieve respiratory inflammation;
- mucolite, so it is an excellent remedy for cough;
- It helps to reduce the level of bad cholesterol in the blood;
- galactagogue, which stimulates the production of breast milk;
- anti-inflammatory, useful against arthritis;
- antidiarrheal, that is useful to combat diarrhea;
- care of the oral cavity diseases such as canker sores, for example, but is also useful against halitosis;
- strengthens the immune system;
- It is a useful remedy for conjunctivitis;
- antidiabetic;
- relieves the pain of menstrual cycle;
- stabilizes mood;
- antioxidant.
All these properties are due to the coriander content:
- essential oil (linalool and geraniol);
- chlorogenic acid, acetic acid, decyl acid, borneol, pinenes, and caffeic acid;
- tannins;
- flavonoids;
- vitamin (C, A, K, B1, B2, B3 and E);
- mineral salts (calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, zinc, potassium and magnesium);
Coriander lends itself to many more uses than we can imagine. In the culinary field it is used in the preparation of some sausages, flavor to meat, fish and vegetables, but also smells like beer, cookies, candies and Panpepato; the seeds are used as a spice. Ground, coriander seeds are one of the ingredients of curry and garam masala. The leaves, in the East, are used instead of parsley.
But its uses go beyond the use in the kitchen. It has many useful properties for the body care and is also an excellent natural remedy for many ailments.
Recipe of herbal tea with coriander
- a teaspoon dried cilantro or chopped fresh leaves;
- hot water.
Allow to steep, covered, for 5 minutes. Strain and drink.
The hot herbal tea is effective against:
- migraine;
- spasms pain or cramps from menstruation;
- slow digestion;
- flatulence;
- liver and kidney fatigued;
- fatigue;
- promote metabolism of carbohydrates.
The warm herbal tea is effective against:
- conjunctivitis;
- affections of the oral cavity.
The essential oil is effective against:
- eczema;
- psoriasis;
- arthritis;
- muscle relaxant.
To take advantage of the best essential oil benefits they can pour a few drops in a foot bath made with hot water and salt, or in the bathtub or you can use to massage, it is important not to use it pure but dilute it in another vegetable oil.
To do foot baths:
- hot water;
- 1 tablespoon of coriander grains;
- a cup of infusion of the leaves;
- bicarbonate.
We have already talked about the importance of foot baths, this is a new recipe: it is a purifying and relaxing foot bath, very good against influenza. Must try.
Coriander: contraindications and side effects
WARNING: The information in this article are informative, they are therefore not to be considered medical prescriptions. Contact your primary care physician before taking any natural remedy.
When consumed in excessive doses coriander causes:
- nervous disorders;
- kidney disorders.
Do not take in case of stones, ulcers or specific gastrointestinal diseases. If you are under treatment for dysentery avoid based coriander remedies. It can cause intolerances and allergies in hypersensitive individuals.
CAUTION: it interacts with drugs with neuro stimulating and anxiolytic drugs, enhancing the effects and with drugs that regulate the function of the stomach and intestines, increasing the effect.
