Cilantro For Your Health

Cilantro - pronounced [sih-LAHN-troh] The leaves and stems of Coriander plant are called Cilantro. Widely used in Mexican, Caribbean and Asian cooking Cilantro has a strong pungent taste. People usually just love the taste or hate it because it is that distinctive flavor.
Coriander is believed to be named after "koris", the Greek word for "bedbug" as it was said they both emitted a similar odor. People of European decent frequently are repelled by the smell of cilantro. It has not gained in popularity in Europe as it has in many other parts of the world.

Coriander grows wild in South East Europe and had been cultivated in Egypt, India and China for thousands of years. It is mentioned in Sanskrit text Cilantro is mentioned in the Medical Papyrus of Thebes written in 1552 B.C. and is one of the plants which grew in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. It is even mentioned in the Bible in Exodus 16:31, where manna is described as "small round and white like coriander seed." The ancient Hebrews originally used cilantro root as the bitter herb in the symbolic Passover meal.The Romans themselves used coriander with cumin and vinegar as a preservative. Romans and their conquests, introduced cilantro's use and legend spread to Asia, where it appeared in recipes for potions used as aphrodisiacs in China during the Han dynasty (207 BC-200 AD).Spanish conquistadors introduced it to Mexico and Peru, It is used in recipes throughout Mexico and Central America. Sugarplums as referred to in the Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy, were actually a treat made of sugar coated coriander.
The Chinese used the herb in love potions believing it provided immortality. Coriander is one of the herbs thought to have aphrodisiac qualities. The Arabian nights tells a tale of a merchant who had been childless for 40 years and but was cured by a concoction that included coriander. Cilantro was also know to be used as an "appetite" stimulant. The essential oils of the cilantro leaves contain antibacterial properties and can be used as a fungicide. Coriander seeds is considered to have cholesterol lowering properties.
Today the herb has important medical uses. Chelation therapy has been used by conventional medicine to pull lead from people suffering from lead poisoning. Chelation therapy is administered intravenously using the chemical agent EDTA it removes metal from the blood stream. Dr Omura found that fresh cilantro removes heavy metals from the body in less than two weeks.
Cilantro, is a fast growing annual reaching 12 - 24 inches tall. The entire plant including the leaves, the seeds and roots are all edible. Coriander can easily be grown in pots. Simply pick or trim fresh leaves of whole stalks as required. The leaves get a stronger and sometimes disagreeable flavor as they get older and larger.
Some great recipes using Cilantro are:
From Mexico and Southwestern USA
Anaheim Chile Salsa Verde

This recipe originally accompanied Grill-Roasted Brined Turkey with Anaheim Chile Salsa Verde. This beautiful, mild-flavored green salsa may be served heated or at room temperature. For the brightest green color possible, add the cilantro just before serving.

6 fresh green Anaheim chiles (about