Not Just a Spice: Cilantro
Cilantro has leaves and seeds (fruits), both excellent for consumption, seasoning, and medicine. Primarily used as a spice, it is potent in stimulating appetite.
The manna that fell for our ancestors in the desert is described (Exodus 16:31) "as white coriander seed." Indeed, it's hard to believe it refers to the plant known by that name today. In the Mishnah, cilantro is mentioned many times, teaching us that our ancestors used it frequently. In the Talmud, it says: "A woman who eats cilantro will have sons of flesh" meaning, a woman who eats cilantro will have fat and healthy children (Ketubot 61).
Cilantro grows as a wild shrub, and it is found in the Mediterranean basin. In our country, it is common in the lowlands and the Galilee. Cilantro has a characteristic sharp taste, and its strong aroma spreads far. This aroma is particularly strong when the leaves are crushed. Cilantro has both leaves and seeds (fruits), excellent for consumption, as a spice, and for medicine. The primary use of cilantro is as a spice, with great potency to stimulate appetite. People of eastern origins, especially Yemenites, consume it abundantly, mix it in salads, and use it as a primary component in preparing spicy and seasoned dishes.
Cilantro is rich in various vitamins and minerals such as iron, potassium, beta-carotene, B vitamins, C vitamin, K vitamin, and E vitamin. Its medicinal properties include easing vomiting, relieving gas accumulated in the digestive system, excellent for treating mouth, gum, and eye inflammations. It is very effective for liver diseases, soothes headaches, and strengthens heart activity. Additionally, it is good for women in the advanced months of pregnancy and also during nursing months.
Cooked cilantro is effective for back pain. For eye inflammations, soak cotton in hot cilantro solution and place it on the closed eye.
Cilantro can be eaten ground raw, cooked, and also as a drink in the form of tea. The tea is calming and used for treating digestive and intestinal problems.
Cilantro is also found in various industries. The brewing industry uses the leaves, as does the vinegar industry. The cosmetics industry uses its special oil.
A blessing for cilantro is "".
