Cilantro is all the rage right now – it’s a common ingredient in recipes and found at popular restaurants, whereas just a few years ago, it wasn’t common at all! It’s easy to find at local grocery stores, and during the spring, packets of cilantro seeds are easy to come by for home gardeners. Fortunately, cilantro is one of the rare food trends that can stick around for forever because, not only is it a delicious herb, it has so many amazing health benefits!
Cilantro is also known as “coriander” or “Chinese parsley.” It has been found growing wild throughout much of southern Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia, so it’s nearly impossible to determine where it truly originates. However, cilantro (or coriander) is a main component of many cuisines around the world, including Thai, Mexican, and Indian.
With its vivid green leaves and crisp flavor, cilantro adds a brightness to many dishes. While dried cilantro is available, so much of the flavor and aroma is gone. Fresh cilantro is easily accessible and a great addition to a window herb garden!
While the flavor is fantastic, the health benefits are outstanding. Anthony William, Medical Medium™ has put together some incredible information about cilantro in his book “Life Changing Foods.” Cilantro supports the digestive and endocrine systems, and it can also support heart health by lowering LDL cholesterol.
Cilantro benefits so many illnesses and chronic conditions, so if you have any of the following health concerns, cilantro should be a regular part of your diet:
- “Autoimmune disorders”, including Fibromyalgia, Addison’s Disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Multiple Sclerosis
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Arthritis
- Diabetes,
- Colitis
- Infertility
- Bell’s Palsy
Not only is cilantro packed with Vitamin A, K, and C, but it also has blood-enriching iron, immune-boosting magnesium, and bone-strengthening calcium. In addition to the nutrients, cilantro is an amazing detoxifier, able to sweep heavy metals like mercury and aluminum out of the body. Cilantro contains dodecenal, a natural antibacterial compound which kills off salmonella and other causes of foodborne illness.
Cilantro has a strong flavor that some people may find soapy, and if you don’t care for the flavor, Medical Medium™ protocol recommends either juicing with fresh fruits and vegetables or using cilantro oil, which less effective than fresh cilantro. However, I created a Basil-Cilantro-Pesto that I think will make anyone appreciate the delicious flavor of this herb! It’s super easy, takes hardly any time to put together, and it’s so much better than store-bought pesto! Pair it with rice, spiralized fresh vegetables, or pasta for a delicious, healthy entree!
Ingredients:
3 C Fresh Basil
2 Lemons, juiced
½ C Fresh Cilantro
½ C Parsley
1 tsp Fresh Sage (you can sub dried sage, but you may want to reduce the amount by half)
1 tsp Ground Black Pepper
½ C Cashews, soaked
½ C Pine Nuts
Salt to taste
1 tbsp Avocado oil (optional)
1/4 cup water
Toast the pine nuts lightly in a dry pan.
Once they are done, put all ingredients in your blender, including the pine nuts. Blend until it’s reached a smooth consistency.
That’s it! Enjoy it, and enjoy the amazing health benefits of cilantro!
