Cilantro | Coriander

CILANTRO | CORIANDER SEEDS/SPICE

Cilantro and coriander- two names, one plant, and a whole lot of history. Coriandrum sativum is the botanical name, but you’ve probably met it as cilantro when you're enjoying the leafy greens in tacos or pho, and coriander when you’re sprinkling the dried seeds into curry, soup, or spice rubs. It’s one of those rare plants where every part is edible and medicinal- and it's been showing up in kitchens, healing practices, and sacred rituals for over 5,000 years.

Coriander seeds are among the oldest culinary spices on record, discovered in ancient Egyptian tombs, including that of King Tut. Egyptians used it for digestion, aromas, and even love potions. In ancient Greece, coriander was both a medicine and a perfume. It shows up in early texts as a remedy for flatulence and a base for fragrant oils. The Romans brought it with them as they marched across Europe, and by the time the Middle Ages rolled around, coriander had become a staple in medieval monastic medicine- used to balance “cold” humors, clear infections, and flavor both food and ale.

Meanwhile, cilantro - the leafy part - was being used in India, China, and the Middle East to cool the body, ease inflammation, and add brightness to dishes long before modern refrigeration. In Ayurvedic medicine, coriander (the seed) is a classic herb to calm digestive fire, soothe urinary irritation, and support liver detox. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, coriander leaves are used to stimulate circulation, expel cold, and relieve nausea.

Cilantro made its way to the Americas with Spanish colonists, quickly becoming a staple in Mexican, Peruvian, and Caribbean cuisines. In Latin American herbal traditions, cilantro is seen as a cooling, cleansing plant, often used to support digestion, heavy metal detox, and postpartum recovery. Today, it's in everything from green smoothies to cleansing protocols, thanks to its potential for binding and removing toxins- especially heavy metals like mercury and lead.

Coriander seed, on the other hand, keeps showing up in herbal medicine as a gentle carminative, antimicrobial, and blood sugar balancer. And modern science backs it up- it contains linalool, borneol, and other compounds that are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and even anxiolytic (mood-lifting).

So whether it’s the leafy green (cilantro) or the warm, citrusy seed (coriander), this plant is a perfect example of food as medicine. It’s ancient, adaptable, and deeply loved across continents and cultures. From tombs to tacos, from tinctures to tea, cilantro and coriander have been healing, seasoning, and soothing for millennia.

Medicinal Uses of Cilantro (Leaves)

Heavy Metal Detoxification

• Cilantro may bind to heavy metals like mercury, lead, and aluminum, helping escort them out of the body

• Commonly used in detox protocols, often alongside chlorella

Anti-inflammatory Properties

• Contains antioxidants and polyphenols that reduce inflammation

• Used for calming chronic skin issues, joint pain, and gut inflammation

Digestive Aid

• Stimulates appetite and digestive enzymes

• Soothes indigestion, bloating, and cramping

Supports Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

• Shown in studies to help regulate blood glucose and improve insulin sensitivity

Cooling and Calming (Energetically)

• Traditionally used in Ayurveda to cool the body, reduce pitta (heat), and calm nervous tension

• Great for people who run “hot” or are prone to heat-related imbalances

Antimicrobial and Antifungal

• The essential oils in cilantro have natural antibacterial and antifungal properties

• May help combat pathogens in the gut

Natural Chelation Support

• Supports the body’s elimination of environmental toxins through liver and kidney detox

Medicinal Uses of Coriander (Seeds)

Digestive Support (Carminative)

• Relieves gas, bloating, nausea, and cramping

• Stimulates digestive enzymes and bile production

Urinary Tract and Kidney Support

• Traditionally used to soothe urinary tract inflammation and promote urination

• Helpful for UTIs, burning urination, and water retention

Blood Sugar Regulation

• Shown to help lower fasting blood glucose and improve metabolic balance

• Often used in Ayurvedic teas or formulas for diabetes

Menstrual Support

• Used to regulate menstruation and relieve menstrual cramps, especially when due to excess heat or inflammation

Anti-anxiety and Mood Lifting

• Linalool in coriander has mild anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects

• Traditionally used to calm the mind and body, especially when digestion is stress-sensitive

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory

• Fights oxidative stress and inflammation linked to chronic disease, aging, and metabolic disorders

Cholesterol and Heart Health

• Some studies show coriander seed may help lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and increase HDL (good cholesterol)

Antimicrobial and Antiparasitic

• Coriander seed extracts may help combat bacterial and intestinal parasitic infections

Common Preparations

• Cilantro (fresh leaves): Juiced, blended in smoothies, added to food, or made into pesto/salsas

• Coriander seeds: Infused as tea, powdered into capsules, used in spice blends or decoctions

• Tinctures or oils: For concentrated therapeutic use, especially for detox or digestive support