The first mention of coriander as a seasoning came down to us from ancient Egypt. Then it was used exclusively in cooking. Today, this plant is used not only for flavoring dishes and drinks, but also in cosmetics, soap making and treatment of many ailments. All this is due to the fact that the properties of coriander are unique.
Vitamin-mineral composition of coriander
Coriander (or as it is also called coriander) is a plant about 80 centimeters high. Visually it resembles the usual parsley: the leaves are of the same shape and have a light green color. It is in his leaves that there is a real storehouse of vitamins (B6, B5, B1, B2, C, B4, B9, PP, E, K), thanks to which the coriander shows its useful properties.
Minerals and trace elements in this plant are also many. The composition of cilantro is:
- calcium;
- magnesium;
- potassium;
- sodium;
- phosphorus;
- manganese;
- iron;
- iodine;
- zinc;
- selenium;
- copper.
Coriander is rich in various oils. It contains ether, linoleic and stearic oil. But on this list of nutrients that make up this plant, does not end there! When using spices, coriander can saturate the body with pectin, fatty and organic acids, tannins, alkaloid, organic acids and plant fibers.
Benefit for health
The curative properties of coriander are extremely wide. It perfectly tones the muscles of the heart, vessels. Apply it in pharmacology for the manufacture of drugs for the treatment of insomnia, hemorrhoids, vomiting and even mental illness. And for the prevention of tooth decay, coriander seeds are often used. Their useful properties consist in the fact that they quench the strongest toothache, strengthen the teeth and gums, stop the bleeding in them.
Spice cilantro should be added when preparing dishes for those who suffer from high blood pressure, as it quickly reduces it. This spice will also help in the treatment of stomatitis.
The essential oil of coriander also has useful properties. It is included in the composition of the remedies that are used to cure a person of glaucoma, keratitis, conjunctivitis. It is good to add such essential oil to medicines used in diseases of the stomach, intestines, arterial hypertension.
Coriander contributes to the secretion of bile in diseases of the intestine and stomach, removes worms and improves peristalsis. Infusion of cilantro is used as an antiseptic for skin lesions and the appearance of cracks in the nipples of women breastfeeding.
Coriander has fruits, and they also have useful properties. They are used to prepare fortified therapeutic formulations, for example tinctures or broths. Such aids contribute to a faster recovery when colds, pneumonia, bronchitis occur. They will help in the treatment of genitourinary diseases: cystitis, pyelonephritis , prostatitis.
It is good to add coriander to the food of patients who undergo rehabilitation after operations, as it restores appetite and stimulates the work of the entire digestive system.
Contraindications
Despite the fact that coriander has many useful properties, there are contraindications to it. It is not recommended to eat coriander, when:
- cholecystitis ;
- hyperacid forms of gastritis;
- ulcer of the stomach or duodenum;
- thrombophlebitis;
- hypertension;
- heart attack;
- ischemic heart disease.
Also, do not get carried away by coriander women during pregnancy. A small amount of spice will become a pleasant highlight in dishes, but its excess can lead to unpleasant consequences!