The Medicinal Uses of Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)

Apiaceae family, same as parsley and carrots

The cilantro in the garden self-seeded from last year.  I don’t care for the flavor and probably would have pulled it out, but the girls like it.  More importantly, it has limited medicinal uses.  Historically, it’s been used for 7000 years.[1] Egyptian use dates to 1000 BC.[2] Hispanics call the fresh leaves cilantro; Asians refer to it as coriander. [3]  And it is also known as Chinese parsley. [4]  Harvest the seeds in late summer to maximize its uses.[5]

Cilantro isn’t something I’d go out of my way to grow; there are so many other herbs we can probably use.  But if your family loves it and you’re growing it anyway, it might prove useful.

Pharmacological Properties

• Antioxidant[6]
• Anti-diabetic[7]
• Anti-helminthic[8]
• Anti-spasmodic[9]
• Appetite stimulant[10] [11]
• Aromatic[12] [13]
• Carminative[14] [15]
• Fruit[16]
• Seeds[17] [18]
• Chelating[19]
• Digestive[20]
• Seeds[21]
• Diuretic[22]
• Fruit[23]
• Hepatoprotective[24]
• Lower cholesterol
• Fruit[25]
• Promote sweating
• Fruit[26]
• Renal-protective
• Especially with aminoglycoside antibiotics[27]
• Stomachic[28]
•  

Preparations

• Capsules: ¼- ½ teaspoon in capsules.[29]
• Glycerite:  Dry seeds, 1:5 ratio; 1-5 ml up to 3 times per day. [30]
• Infusion:  Steep 2 teaspoons dried seeds in 8 oz water, once a day.[31]  Or 2-8 ounces up to three times per day[32]
• Tincture:  Fresh leaf, 1:2 ration, 95% alcohol; dried leaf, 1:5 ratio, 50% alcohol; 10 drops to 3 ml, up to 3 times per day[33]  Dry seed, 1:5, 65% alcohol.  Dosage, 10-20 drops, as needed.[34]

Usage

• Dental/oral
• Halitosis[35]
• Gastrointestinal
• Abdominal spasms[36]
• Infusion
• Nausea
• Leaves, fresh[37]
• Tea[38]
• Stomachache 
• Leaves, fresh[41]
• Tea[42]
• Musculoskeletal
• Painful joints
• Apply externally[39]
• Rheumatism
• Apply externally[40]
• Neurological
• Anxiety[43]
• Sleep[44]
• Respiratory
• Bronchitis[45] [46]
• Cough[47] [48]
• Coriander seed[49]
• Urogenital
• Lactation
• In combination with anise, dill, fennel, and caraway[50]

Cautions  May cause allergic reactions in some people.[51]

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[1] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 62.

[2] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 4.

[3] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 62.

[4] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 62.

[5] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 200.

[6] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 62.

[7] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 62.

[8] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27486367/

[9] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 160.

[10] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 62.

[11] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 160.

[12] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 160.

[13] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 200.

[14] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 160.

[15] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27486367/

[16] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 62.

[17] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 211.

[18] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 211.

[19] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 211.

[20] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27486367/

[21] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 211.

[22] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27486367/

[23] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 62.

[24] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27486367/

[25] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 62.

[26] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 62.

[27] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27486367/

[28] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 160.

[29] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 160.

[30] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 211.

[31] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 160.

[32] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 211.

[33] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 211.

[34] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antibiotics, 2012, 369.

[35] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 200.

[36] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 200.

[37] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 62.

[38] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 62.

[39] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 160.

[40] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 160.

[41] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 62.

[42] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 62.

[43] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 200.

[44] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 200.

[45] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 200.

[46] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 200.

[47] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 200.

[48] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 200.

[49] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 200.

[50] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 160.

[51] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 62.