There are some herbs and spices that date back to thousands of years and their uses have been recorded and observed for centuries. Because of this ancient connection, these herbs have become a part of the culture and diet of a number of civilizations that use it on a regular basis.

One such herb is coriander, which is well known in India as Dhania and as cilantro in the Americas. It has been used extensively in Indian cuisines and also is an integral part of Mexican food. The leaves and fruit of the coriander plant have a pleasant aroma; it is because of this property that they are frequently used as a garnish on many dishes.

However, Organic Whole Coriander is much more than just a pleasant-smelling spice. It carries with it a variety of nutritional advantages, some of which are listed below to reiterate the importance of including it in your daily diet.

1. Keeps cholesterol in check

Coriander is actually a great herb for people trying to regulate their cholesterol levels as its constituents have a great tendency to lower bad cholesterol.  A variety of acids found in coriander, including ascorbic acid (vitamin C), oleic acid, linoleic acid and palmitic acid are very adept at cutting down the amount of bad cholesterol (LDL) and clearing out its depositions from the walls of veins and arteries. By doing so, coriander helps you to prevent the damage that can arise from blocked arteries which can lead to diseases like atherosclerosis, cardiac arrests and strokes.

Along with lowering bad cholesterol, coriander and its components also boosts the levels of good cholesterol (HDL). This acts like a defence mechanism against cardiovascular issues that may come up due to LDL.

2. Helps in lowering blood pressure

For patients of hypertension, coriander can support your health by lowering blood pressure. The interaction between the calcium in coriander along with a neuro-transmitter acetylcholine reduces the tension in blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure.

3. It protects against anaemia

One of the outcomes of low iron content in the blood is anaemia. Due to the rich presence of iron in coriander, it not only keeps the risk of anaemia low but also helps in the development of healthy bones, increases the energy in the body and ensures that the various organ systems are functioning properly.

4. Aids in digestion

When ingested, coriander assists in the secretion of the digestive juices and enzymes that help to break down and metabolize the food. Because of this, it is a great help in aiding proper digestion and preventing digestive problems. It also improves the peristaltic motion (contraction and relaxation of the intestines to facilitate the movement of food through the alimentary canal) and may help in food disorders like anorexia.

Coriander is also helpful in treating diarrhoea. Its phytonutrient contents like cineole, borneol and limonene have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, which can contribute to curing a person of diarrhoea.

5. Treats salmonella

One of the most common and lethal food-borne diseases, salmonella poisoning can have a huge negative impact on your health. But a recent research has discovered that a compound found in coriander can be a natural antibiotic that can treat salmonella.

Scientists working on this research isolated a compound known as dodecenal, which they found had twice the capacity to kill harmful bacteria than gentamicin (the antibiotic drug commonly used to treat salmonella). This finding was quite surprising to the scientists as usually natural antibiotics exhibit very weak activity.

Dodecenal is found in the leaves and seeds of coriander and can be a natural cure to salmonella infections.

6. Keeps diabetes in check

Patients of diabetes suffer from decreased secretion of insulin which means that blood sugar levels can increase unchecked, as there is a lesser amount of insulin to break sugar down. Coriander actually helps in energizing the endocrine system and boosts the levels of insulin. By doing so, diabetic patients can keep their blood sugar levels in check.

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