We tried to grow cilantro in our herb garden. It did not seem to like the afternoon shade. At the end of the season, we threw the dried plant in the corner of our other garden which gets full sun planning to compose it. The seeds must have fallen off because it grew the following spring and thrived in this location. Sometimes you get lucky.
We had so much cilantro that I started looking into how to incorporate it into our meals. I found a cilantro pesto which was delicious. I prefer basil pesto but with all the nutrients in cilantro, I will continue to make it.
One of our friends was going through treatment for breast cancer so we made the pesto for her hoping it would remove the heavy metals from the radiation and chemo. She loved it.
Cilantro is a very strong herb and not everyone enjoys the flavor. It has grown on me through the years. I do recommend introducing it more in your meals since it is so good for you. Happy-Mothering did a wonderful job listing the health benefits. Here their list:
- Contains immune-boosting and antioxidant properties.
- A good source of dietary fiber, iron and magnesium.
- Rich in phytonutrients and flavonoids.
- A powerful detoxifying agent that has been used to help remove heavy metals and other toxins from the body.
- Aids digestion and settles the stomach; drink a cup of tea made from the leaves when you experience any form of stomach discomfort.
- Powerful anti-inflammatory properties may help alleviate arthritis symptoms and reduce minor swelling.
- Protects against bacterial infection from Salmonella.
- Can help increase (good) HDL cholesterol and reduce (bad) LDL cholesterol
- Helps reduce feelings of nausea, eases hormonal mood swings associated with menstruation and reduces menstrual cramping.
- Helps promote healthy liver function and stimulates the endocrine glands.
- Helps with insulin secretion and lowers blood sugar.
- Acts as a natural antiseptic and antifungal for skin disorders such as eczema and fungal infections.
- Wards off urinary tract infections.
- Helps ease conjunctivitis, eye-aging, macular degeneration and other eye stressors.
