Coriander (coriandrum sativum) is a small annual cultivated for millennia in North and South America, Europe and the Mediterranean. When young, its leaves are known as Cilantro and the seeds themselves are the actual coriander spice. Also called Chinese parsley by some, due to the flat jagged leaves, coriander grows to 24 inches in height and produces a brownish seed that when ripe, bestows the aromatic flavor. As a culinary additive coriander is used in many dishes including shrimp, crab, oysters and clams and is considered one of the aromatic herbs along with ginger, anise, caraway and fennel.
As a medicinal herb, coriander provides a number of health related benefits. For instance, in the South China city of Canton, coriander leaves and seeds are used as genital deodorant. The leaves and seeds are gradually reduced from 2 gallons of boiling water to 1 quart, then orange peels, fresh dates, parsley and peppermint oil is added to this and presto: Chinese speed stick. Coriander is also widely used to cure halitosis and bad breath in general.
Chinese medicine says coriander is warm, pungent, that it induces perspiration, helps with digestion and positively affects the lungs and spleen. Under certain circumstances, coriander is cooked with carrots and water chestnut to make a soup, or boiled roots and all to make a compress in order to intentionally cause the break out of measles. Apparently, there is some wisdom in getting it over with, as once you've either experienced the measles or been vaccinated against it, you usually can't contract them again.
One important note: When administering coriander for the measles best time is third or fourth day of fever. It is imperative to discontinue coriander if eruptions have already occurred as it would make the disease too hot at that point.
Couple of interesting applications: People with cracked lips or heavy thirst should not eat coriander. Regular consumption of coriander will reduce the smell of urine due to internal heat. A tea made with coriander will eliminate cold stomach ache and help with excessive gastric acid problems.
As a medicinal herb, coriander provides a number of health related benefits. For instance, in the South China city of Canton, coriander leaves and seeds are used as genital deodorant. The leaves and seeds are gradually reduced from 2 gallons of boiling water to 1 quart, then orange peels, fresh dates, parsley and peppermint oil is added to this and presto: Chinese speed stick. Coriander is also widely used to cure halitosis and bad breath in general.
Chinese medicine says coriander is warm, pungent, that it induces perspiration, helps with digestion and positively affects the lungs and spleen. Under certain circumstances, coriander is cooked with carrots and water chestnut to make a soup, or boiled roots and all to make a compress in order to intentionally cause the break out of measles. Apparently, there is some wisdom in getting it over with, as once you've either experienced the measles or been vaccinated against it, you usually can't contract them again.
One important note: When administering coriander for the measles best time is third or fourth day of fever. It is imperative to discontinue coriander if eruptions have already occurred as it would make the disease too hot at that point.
Couple of interesting applications: People with cracked lips or heavy thirst should not eat coriander. Regular consumption of coriander will reduce the smell of urine due to internal heat. A tea made with coriander will eliminate cold stomach ache and help with excessive gastric acid problems.
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