Cilantro, a common seasoning on our dining tables, is also one of the commonly used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. Not only does it add aroma to dishes, but it also has certain medicinal value.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, regularly consuming cilantro can help address some common health issues. However, cilantro is not suitable for everyone to consume, and some people should use it with caution or avoid it.
Nutritional Value of Cilantro
Cilantro contains protein, volatile oil, vitamin C, carotene, vitamin B2, dietary fiber, calcium, iron, and minerals such as mannitol and potassium sorbate. The rich vitamins and dietary fiber in cilantro can stimulate appetite and aid in digestion and stomach health.
Where Does the “Stink” of Cilantro Come From?
The taste of cilantro mainly comes from a type of volatile oil and volatile aromatic substances it contains. The mixture of cilantro leaves is mainly composed of aldehydes and alcohols, with the former predominant, giving cilantro its unique “buggy” taste.
The substances responsible for the unique aroma are “decenal” and “dodecenal,” which are also found in everyday soaps and detergents. Some beetles spray toxic fog when they sense danger.
Since both cilantro and these substances contain similar aldehydes, this is why some people find cilantro smelly and avoid it.
The Benefits of Regularly Consuming Cilantro: Traditional Chinese Medicine Suggests It Can Solve 6 Types of Problems
1. Boosting Immunity
Cilantro is rich in vitamin C and vitamin K. Vitamin C is vital for maintaining our immune system and promoting wound healing, while vitamin K protects bone health and aids in blood clotting. Therefore, consuming cilantro can provide these essential vitamins, assisting in maintaining overall health.
2. Diuretic and Detoxifying
The minerals and trace elements in cilantro help promote urination, providing certain improvements for symptoms like edema and difficulty in urination. Moderate consumption of cilantro can help eliminate excess water and toxins in the body, maintaining a healthy state.
3. Protecting Blood Vessels
Regularly consuming cilantro can protect blood vessels mainly because cilantro is rich in vitamin C and potassium, which have excellent lipid-lowering, vasodilating, increasing coronary blood flow, lowering blood pressure, and cholesterol effects. Consuming cilantro regularly has a good effect on preventing atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases.
4. Antioxidant Effects
Cilantro is rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E, which can neutralize free radicals, reduce cell oxidation damages, and slow down the aging process. Additionally, cilantro contains a substance called apigenin, which has anticancer properties and can prevent various cancers.
5. Digestive Aid
Cilantro contains a large amount of linalool, mannitol, and other volatile oil substances. This unique aroma has a good appetizing and digestion-promoting effect.
Entering the summer, many people may experience loss of appetite. Eating some cilantro appropriately can help regulate intestinal health and relieve symptoms of weak digestion and stomach coldness for those with spleen and stomach deficiencies.
6. Rash Relief and Detoxifying
Cilantro also has the effects of rash relief and detoxification, which can assist in the treatment of symptoms such as poor rash circulation and rash opacity in the early stages of measles. Moreover, the antioxidants like vitamin C and carotene in cilantro help the body remove free radicals and reduce the harm of toxins.
But Not Suitable for 4 Types of People
1. Individuals with Frequent Bad Breath or Oral Ulcers
Cilantro has warm and hot properties. Consuming cilantro can exacerbate phlegm production due to its heating nature, aggravating conditions for individuals with frequent bad breath or oral ulcers. Moreover, consuming cilantro while having inflammation in the ulcer areas can lead to infections and worsen inflammatory reactions.
2. Individuals with Allergic Constitutions
Cilantro contains components that may trigger allergic reactions, such as volatile oils. For people with allergic constitutions, consuming cilantro may induce allergic reactions like skin itching and breathing difficulties. Therefore, individuals with allergies should carefully assess their conditions before consuming cilantro and avoid it if there is an allergy history.
3. Individuals with Colds
People with cold-heat colds are not suitable to consume cilantro. Symptoms during a cold may include a yellow tongue coating, dry mouth, throat pain, and cilantro’s aroma stimulation and warm nature can worsen the condition post-consumption without providing relief.
However, the warming effect of cilantro oil is effective for wind-cold colds, exhibiting properties of dispelling coldness and exterior warmth, particularly suitable for individuals with heavy internal coldness.
4. Postoperative or Those Recently Recovered From a Major Illness
Individuals undergoing postoperative recovery or those in the initial stages of recovery from a major illness may have weak bodies and require recuperation. Cilantro has a dispersing effect that may not be conducive to the body’s recovery process. Therefore, individuals in these groups should avoid consuming cilantro during the recovery phase to prevent hindering the body’s recovery process.
Four Taboos of Cilantro that Many People are Unaware of!
1. Cucumber
Many people enjoy combining cilantro with cucumbers in salads. However, it is advisable not to consume these two foods together. This is because cilantro is rich in vitamin C, while cucumbers contain enzymes that break down vitamin C, leading to the destruction of cilantro’s nutritional components.
Therefore, although cilantro and cucumbers together are delicious, it is best not to eat them simultaneously.
2. Pork
Pork is a common meat consumed by many Chinese people. It contains relatively abundant nutrients, and consuming pork in moderation can supplement the body’s nutritional needs and reduce the body’s burden.
It is recommended not to combine pork with cilantro while eating pork, as pork is heating while cilantro is exhilarating. Eating them together may cause the body to react with damp heat, and may even lead to the formation of phlegm.
3. Medications
Some people may take medications after eating cilantro to treat other ailments. However, some components in medications may be decomposed, reducing cilantro’s nutritional value upon consumption. Moreover, certain medications may chemically react with cilantro, potentially harming the body. Additionally, it is advisable to avoid combining cilantro with various Chinese medicinal herbs such as dandelion, as they contain significant amounts of vitamin K.
4. Highly Nourishing Foods
In daily life, some individuals may choose to drink Chinese herbal medicine to regulate their bodies due to certain ailments. Although some components in Chinese herbal medicine can effectively treat certain conditions, they can easily react with cilantro, leading to adverse reactions in the body. At such times, the frequency of using both should be reduced to prevent negative effects on the body.
In conclusion, regularly consuming cilantro indeed brings many benefits to the body, but it is not suitable for everyone. While enjoying the deliciousness of cilantro, it is essential to make rational choices in consumption methods and quantities based on one’s physical condition and actual circumstances to ensure health and safety.
