Cilantro is a kind of herb originated from the cilantro plant (Coriandrum sativum), which also produces seeds commonly known as coriander, used widely as spices for cooking. Cilantro blooms and harvested annually, and has to be replanted upon being harvested. The herb itself is identified by the green colored and citrus flavored leaves.
Cilantro has gained so many renown of being one of the many “superfood”, due to its abundant nutritional contents, mostly vitamins and minerals. Thanks to that, people have been using cilantro as cooking spice for a while now. Internally, the nutrients contained n cilantro can help reduce the adverse effect of toxic metals such as aluminum, arsenic and cadmium. Those toxin can make their way to the endocrine system, muscles as well as the bones. The chemical compounds contained in cilantro can help cleansing the body from all the toxic metals threatening the body. They work by binding themselves and pulling the toxin along with them, allowing the toxin to be released naturally from the body.
# Help Soothe IrritationsOur skins can suffer a wide variety of irritations, including hives, sunburns, and poison ivy. Skin irritations are mostly caused by allergies and some caused by histamines in our bodies. Cilantro contains some anti-histamine substances that serve as suppressor for histamine so it can be used to soothe skin inflammation and relieve swelling caused by allergen. To treat skin irritations, we can blend cilantro with coconut oil and apply it to the part of the skin affected by allergies.
# Prevent External Skin InfectionWhile the benefits of cilantro might be already well known from its internal usage, its external usage is also quite similar, if not better. Some researches have already found that cilantro in fact have some anti-bacterial as well as anti-fungal substances called dodecenal which can kill various bacteria and fungi that tend to infect our skins. We can use cilantro as a balm by mixing it with coconut oil and apply it to the infected area.
# Protect Against UV B RadiationSun ray is not always beneficial for our bodies. That is because there are invisible ray called Ultra Violet ray, whose radiations can cause damages to our skins such as sunburn and worse, skin cancer. Fortunately, cilantro can be used as skin protection especially against sun ray and heat so we won’t have to worry about getting heat rashes and sunburned when the next summer comes.
# Treatment for SmallpoxPeople nowadays are fortunate enough to have decent health care and vaccination they don’t even need to worry about catching smallpox to begin with. However, if they somehow belong to the unfortunate few, rest assured because nature has provided all that is necessary to treat smallpox, both to cure it and to prevent smallpox from happening. Cilantro contain anti-bacterial as well as anti-microbial substances, which is said to be effective to treat smallpox.
# Treatment for Blackheads and AcneAlthough many people probably aren’t aware of it yet, several blogs and websites do exist who discuss the alternative usages of cilantro as a skin-care product. For those who are troubled by facial skin problems like blackheads and acne, they can use cilantro mixed with lime juice to be applied on the desired areas. Wait for an hour after application and wash it off with warm water afterwards. We can also use that method for our daily facial care, which leaves us with clean and refreshed feelings.
# Good for Greasy Skin
For some people, it only takes humid air and hot weather to ruin their day. Especially true for those living in tropical countries, our skins are prone to get greasy and oily after being exposed to heat and humidity for a while. The oily skin leaves us uncomfortable, desperate to take another shower. Luckily, by applying cilantro juice to our skin we can bid the oily skins farewell because cilantro is said to be able to absorb excess oil from our skins.
# Useful as Anti-Ageing Supplement
By now we have learned that cilantro contain so many antioxidants that can boost our immunities and deter free radicals from damaging our body. Both consumed internally and externally, the vitamins in cilantro can work hand in hand as anti-ageing substances. Vitamin A can be easily solved in the body and helps maintaining skin and membranes health. Vitamin C on the other hand, is a potent antioxidant that actively fight free radicals and thus delaying the sign of decay on skins, such as wrinkles, sagging skin and also pigmentation.