Herbs: Cilantro—more than a just pretty face!

The herb cilantro is new to our organic pantry as of a few months ago. I’d read in one of the health newsletters and digests I rely on for accurate, up-to-the-minute information that cilantro helps rid the body of heavy metals. Those toxins are pretty hard to dodge these days. It’s a good bet we’re all dealing with heavy metal’s effects in one way or another. Daughter Heather and I headed to our organic food co-op to pick up our first bunch of cilantro.

Pretty, isn't it? But cilantro is an herb with more than a pretty face!

Wish I could say I love the taste, or even like it. I don’t. Neither does Heather. Nevertheless, for the sake of good health, she adds it to salads, in the hope that the other ingredients swallow up cilantro’s unwelcome taste. Hasn’t worked so far. So, in my thinking, it comes down to this: Cilantro has a  lot going for it.  Forget the taste, and go for the healthy profile it offers. I’ve already mentioned the work it does on heavy metals.  In addition, it aids digestion (including preventing intestinal gas), and it’s richly packed with flavonoids and phytonutrients, iron and magnesium. You’ve just gotta love those benefits–even if enjoying them means lying to your tastebuds!

If you’re thinking of adding cilantro to your pantry, here are a couple more things to know:

• It comes from the leaves and stems of the coriander plant.

• Cilantro belongs to the carrot family.

• It’s available year-round (sorry, Heather!).

• Cilantro’s a/k/a (also known as) is Chinese parsley.

• It’s used liberally in Asian, Caribbean, and Mexican cooking.

• It takes great in pesto!

• As an essential oil, it bears antibacterial, even fungicidal, properties.

If you’re already thinking ahead to Garden 2012 as we are, cilantro will fit right in.  This site gives straightforward, easy gardening instructions for planting the herb.

And finally, eating the herb isn’t the only way to grab onto its benefits. It’s available in liquid supplement form from one of my favorite sources, Herb  ‘n Essences. While you’re at their website, sign up for their newsletter.

Cilantro may not be the queen of all herbs, but it has so many health benefits, I plan to keep a bunch of it on hand  in our Organic Pantry.