5 Consulting Cilantro
“And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white . . .”
Reflection
There is an innate wisdom in the Earth. Our kinship with plants can enlighten and empower us. As we consider and consult the greens that grow so near to us, what do we learn— what Earthly gifts are they so freely offering to our body and soul?
What do we know about cilantro?
It’s beautiful. Delicate and lacy, cilantro grows tall and thin. Blooming - its small white to pale pink flowers, fruit, and the seeds form as tan papery balls. Nearing cilantro, gardeners and greens admirers are greeted by a strong lemon like smell that brightens the mood.
It’s growable. A hardy annual herb, cilantro is easy to grow. Of the parsley family and kin to carrots, cilantro grows abundantly. Best grown in full sun and in cooler temperatures, this herb bolts quickly as the days lengthen and warm. Plant cilantro every week and enjoy it fresh year round!
It’s got roots. People have written about cilantro for ages. It’s described on Egyptian papyrus and mentioned in early Sanskrit scrolls. In the Bible, this herb is used in a comparison to mana, food from heaven, and in the Tales of the Arabian Nights it is touted as an aphrodisiac. Speculated by some to be one of the first herbs used by people, cilantro is said to have been valued since 5000BC. It has been found in ancient Egyptian tombs and used in religious practices. Hung as fragrance in Persian bowers, it scented the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Traditionally, it’s the bitter herb of the Hebrew Passover remembrance feast. Native to southern Europe, North Africa, and southwestern Asia, cilantro was spread by the Romans through Europe, and from Europe to the Americas. Cilantro is recognized globally and used to flavor and enhance a variety of dishes around the world.
It’s got a name. Greek and Roman scholars such as Aristophanes and Hippocrates promoted the use of this plant using the term koriannon from koris, or “stinkbug” and the Latin term coriandrum. Both the term coriander and cilantro and culantro stem from this root.
It’s edible. The whole plant is edible, and the more you eat of it, the more you will benefit by it. Used world-wide, cilantro is also called Chinese parsley, Mexican parsley, and coriander. Most people eat the leaves raw. Pungent and bright, fresh cilantro has a lemony taste. Its seems that some love and others avoid this herb. Able to detect a chemical in the leaves, some say it tastes soapy. To get the best tastes out of this herb, juice it with other greens, put a handful in a smoothie, dice it into a salsa mix or avocado blend, or toss it on a salad. Cilantro roots can be blended into tasty pastes, marinades and dipping sauces. The seeds can be used raw in pickling but are usually toasted and ground into a spice. In this way, they flavor curry and breads. The white or pale pink asymmetrical flowers can grace the tops of any dish. It’s good to note that heat - diminishes the taste.
It’s nutrient dense. Nutritionally, this herb is high in vitamins C, A, E, and K. It also has significant amounts of calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium
It builds and repairs. As we consume this plant, all of our body tissues are getting just what they need for the growth, and development, and repair. Collagen is formed, iron is absorbed, and our immune system is bolstered. Wounds are healed, and our cartilage, bones, and teeth are strengthened. Our eyes and vision are nourished, and our blood is regulated.
It protects and detoxifies. Compounds formed in this plant and released into our system as we chew and digest, flush out our body protecting from virus and cleansing out of parasites and bacteria. Phytochemicals supplied by this herb remove toxic heavy metals from the body especially from the brain and the liver. Brain fog is lifted and memory aided.
It’s medicine. In folk medicines, cilantro has been used for the relief of anxiety and insomnia. Making tea out of the leaves has been used to clear mucus in the body and to treat cough. Oils used to scent perfumes an lip balms and tooth paste. Essential oil used to soothe cramps and muscle tension. It has often been used in love potions.
What Advise for living does this plant give?
Grow fast. Be fragrant and fruitful. From head to toe, be useful. No matter what reaction you evoke from others, be all that you are. With clarity, enjoy the coolness of the morning and the full sun of the day. Draw out the poison from within and release; cleanse and relax.
Questions
Do you cultivate herbs?
Do you grow your own cilantro?
Do you like the taste of cilantro?
Are you aware of the benefits of cilantro?
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Resources:
“Coriander and Cilantro; Silk Rotes.” https://iwp.uiowa.edu/silkroutes/coriander-and-cilantro. Accessed June 5, 2021.
William, Anthony. “Cilantro—Life Changing Food.” https://www.medicalmedium.com/blog/cilantro-life-changing-food. Accessed June 4, 2021.