The Wonders of Cilantro: 10 Facts About the Herb That Will Add More Than 'Color' to Your Salad

Cilantro (or 'Field Plant' in Hebrew) is an annual plant from the Apiaceae family, commonly used as a spice for various salads, stews, and concoctions. The Moroccan and Persian kitchens love consuming cilantro leaves as they are, while others are somewhat deterred by its strong smell and taste, preferring to consume it as a powder or in slow-cooked dishes, in a way that its flavor becomes less dominant.

Apart from the leaves, cilantro seeds can also be used, which are typically crushed, dried, and even used to produce essential oils.

The nutritional values of 'Field Plant' include a variety of components essential to our health, starting from dietary fibers, Vitamin K, Calcium, Iron, Potassium, anti-inflammatories, and more.

Research conducted over the years has found that many medicinal properties are attributed to cilantro, some of which we wish to enumerate here, with Hashem's help, in this list:

1. Helps combat various inflammations and reduces the risk of developing different types of cancer.
2. Treatment of various skin issues – The anti-inflammatory properties of cilantro allow it to resist and even eradicate various infections that appear on the skin. Vegan therapists even use cilantro oil or extract as a natural ointment for treating bleeding, wounded, or irritated skin.
3. Reduction of bad cholesterol – Cilantro contains powerful acids known for reducing and eliminating bad cholesterol from our bodies, which reduces the likelihood of a heart attack.
4. Cilantro is rich in vitamins such as A, C, K, beta-carotene, and more – all of which greatly contribute to improving vision quality and healing eye diseases and inflammations.
5. Cilantro contains a high level of iron, significantly improving anemia and its associated symptoms such as shortness of breath, chronic fatigue, and more.
6. Relief for those suffering from digestion and intestinal issues – The active components in cilantro significantly help alleviate various intestinal problems, from constipation to diarrhea. Additionally, consuming a few fresh cilantro leaves before each meal purifies the intestines and 'prepares' them more effectively for food intake.
7. Excels in lowering and balancing blood pressure.
8. The anti-histamine properties of cilantro help consumers reduce the likelihood of developing various allergies, particularly those manifested in different ulcers in the oral cavity.
9. Strengthening bones and muscles – With a very high calcium level, cilantro is considered an excellent calcium source, both for those who do not consume cheese and milk and for those who do.
10. Daily consumption of cilantro (preferably fresh) greatly contributes to the activity of the insulin hormone and balances blood sugar levels.