Become an Ayurvedic Digestive Health Coach: Class Starts Oct 4th

School of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

Become an Ayurvedic Digestive Health Coach: Class Starts Oct 4th

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AYURVEDIC FOODS

CILANTRO

Health Benefits & Uses

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How Can This Ayurvedic Food Make You Feel Great?

AYURVEDIC ANALYSIS

Calms the Immune System & Rashes

Cilantro is a traditional remedy for rashes like summer poison-ivy, allergy related hives, or even just a sunburn. It is hypoallergenic due to natural anti-histamine, meaning it directly calms the immune system. To make a topical remedy for sunburn or rash, take a bunch of cilantro and put it in a blender. Strain the juice from the pulp. Apply pulp to your rash and drink the juice.

Cooling Digestive

Similar to lime, cilantro often appears as a garnish on a spicy dish. It's cooling nature takes the edge off a hot curry or green chili sauce. You will appreciate its fresh taste cutting through any heavy, spicy dish. Cilantro aids digestion, acts as a carminative preventing gas, and burns ama (residue and waste products). There is some dispute whether cilantro is useful for chelation, the removal of heavy metals from the blood stream.

Drying & Detoxifying

It also softens stool, and is a diuretic that clears inflammation from the urinary tract. Despite its drying effect, cilantro in small quantities does not aggravate Vata or cause constipation.

Cilantro Phobia

To some people, cilantro tastes 'soapy' or 'buggy'. Harold McGee, in this NY Times article, "Cilantro Haters, It's Not Your Fault," writes that the Greek origin of the word "coriander" means bedbug. To the ancient Greeks, cilantro smelled like "bug infested clothes." Flavor chemists have identified the source of the revulsion to the presence of aldehydes similar to those found in soaps and certain insects. Crushing the leaves releases enzymes that break down aldehydes and destroy the 'soapy' or 'buggy' odor of cilantro. We recommend it crushed in a mortar and pestle, chopped or served as a pesto.

Fresh cilantro is the herb of choice for aggravated Pitta. Cilantro calms pitta directly in the liver & improves eyesight.

ABOUT CILANTRO

Cilantro is the leaf of the coriander seed. Both the leaves and the seeds have citrus overtones. Cilantro, as a cooling herb, pairs well with hot spicy dishes.

BUYING & PREPARATION

Cilantro's native range extends from Southern Eruope and North Africa to southwestern Asia. Cilantro rots quickly if stored in a plastic bag, and dries out quickly if stored in a paper bag. The solution is a plastic bag kept slightly open lined with a paper towel. Make sure you peel away the dying leaves - they turn to slime and will rot the whole bunch!

COOKING CILANTRO

Browse Recipes The leaves spoil quickly when picked and lose their aroma when dried. Heat diminishes the flavor of cilantro quickly. Thus cilantro is commonly used as a raw garnish in Latin American and Asian cuisine. It is commonly used on top of curries and dals, in salsas or guacamole.

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WHY EAT AN AYURVEDIC DIET?

Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. An Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body type and the specific imbalances you are working with at any given time. Ayurveda shows you your specific body type’s needs and what should be favored in your Ayurvedic menu. Watch as you eat less but feel more satisfied because what you are eating truly nourishes you. Since Ayurveda believes all disease begins in the digestive tract, food is your first medicine. By eating a healthy diet that’s ideal for your body, you experience optimal health.

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When I Eat Cilantro:

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I FEEL BETTER I FEEL WORSE I FEEL THE SAME

Find foods that help me.

Is Cilantro Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether Cilantro is a good fit for your body type. Time to complete: approximately 1 minute.

SERVING SIZE: 1 tbsp

SPECIES: Coriandrum sativum

FAMILY: Apiaceae

PREPARATION: RAW

EAT IN: SUMMER

AYURVEDIC MEDICINAL BIOCHARACTERISTICS

What is the biocharacteristic theory of medicine?

INCREASES

Increases These Biocharacteristics (Gunas)

Functional Ayurveda helps you assess imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating these characteristics weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which characteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct imbalances before you get sick. Every characteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite characteristic.

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COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.

LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD

LIQUEFIED

ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma).

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIQUEFIED

DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY

EASY

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY

LIGHT

ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Lightness is identified by reduced weight.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIGHT

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT

BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter is disagreeable and stimulating rejection, and a strong taste often associated with black coffee, dark chocolate, and most salad greens.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER

PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

According to the biocharacteristic theory of medicine, people tend to get sick, over and over again, due to habitual causes and imbalances that are unique to the person. Your body type summarizes this tendency, showing you the 'type' of conditions and imbalances that frequently challenge your health & wellness. Using body type, you can also identify remedies likely to improve your strength and resiliency. Your body type identifies physical and mental characteristics as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses. The calculation of your body type is based on your medical history.

The 3 functional body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha). Catabolic individuals tend to break down body mass into energy. Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy. Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass. Catabolic people tend to be easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry. Metabolic people tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed. Anabolic people are heavy, stable and grounded, but if they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion.

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PACIFIES

HAS THE FOLLOWING

Effect:

Prana

PRANA

Prana is the Sanskrit word for vital life energy (Qi in Chinese Medicine, pneuma in Greek). Many herbs stimulate your energy, or improve the flow of prana through your body. Generally, prana needs to be increased in spring after a sleepy winter.

SEE ALL 'PRANA' FOODS / HERBS

Sattvic

SATTVIC

Sattvic foods promote awareness and a refreshed mind by nourishing the body without taxing digestion. Sattvic foods do not stimulate desire or nervous energy. They create clarity instead of drowsiness or heaviness.

SEE ALL 'SATTVIC' FOODS / HERBS

Alkalizing

ALKALIZING

An herb or food that makes the urine more alkaline (higher pH). This herbal action can be helpful for a number of inflammatory conditions.

SEE ALL 'ALKALIZING' FOODS / HERBS

Type:
Spices
Element:

Air

AIR

Resembles air (vayu) in quality - highly mobile, drying, light, cold, subtle, rough.

SEE ALL 'AIR' FOODS / HERBS

Ether

ETHER

Resembles ether or space (akasha) in quality - light, subtle, clear, soft.

SEE ALL 'ETHER' FOODS / HERBS

Color:
Green
Family:
Apiaceae

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Experiences are Personal

Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

Here are the herbal actions of Cilantro:

Digestion:

Antiemetic

ANTIEMETIC

Herbs that reduce nausea or stop vomiting. Generally refreshing, aromatic herbs.

SEE ALL 'ANTIEMETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Appetizer

APPETIZER

Herbs that cleanse the palate & stimulate hunger or desire to eat.

SEE ALL 'APPETIZER' FOODS / HERBS

Carminative

CARMINATIVE

Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward.

SEE ALL 'CARMINATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Stomachic

STOMACHIC

An herb that increases appetite or settles a nauseas or nervous stomach. These generally increase the digestive fire, therefore relieving symptoms of sluggish or difficult digestion.

SEE ALL 'STOMACHIC' FOODS / HERBS

Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.

SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Spleen Tonic

SPLEEN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.

SEE ALL 'SPLEEN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Cleanse & Detox:

Burns Toxins

BURNS-TOXINS

An herb that detoxifies by helping your body metabolize toxins, as opposed to eliminating them.

SEE ALL 'BURNS-TOXINS' FOODS / HERBS

Detoxicant

DETOXICANT

An herb that decongests, dislodges or improves metabolization of toxins from the body, transforming or altering fluids to a more healthy state.

SEE ALL 'DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Energy Vitality:

Refreshing

REFRESHING

Stimulates and wakes up the body, leaving it feeling cool, fresh, and energized.

SEE ALL 'REFRESHING' FOODS / HERBS

Stimulates energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS

Immune System:

Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

Antihistamine

ANTIHISTAMINE

Herbs that interrupt an allergic reaction or calm the immune system.

SEE ALL 'ANTIHISTAMINE' FOODS / HERBS

Antipyretic

ANTIPYRETIC

Reduces a fever / febrifuge.

SEE ALL 'ANTIPYRETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Heart & Circulation:

Hemostatic

HEMOSTATIC

An herb that stops bleeding.

SEE ALL 'HEMOSTATIC' FOODS / HERBS

Styptic

STYPTIC

A herb that contracts tissue or blood vessels. Generally styptics are astringent. They are often used to stop bleeding.

SEE ALL 'STYPTIC' FOODS / HERBS

Alterative

ALTERATIVE

Literally, an herb that restores the proper function of the body. In practice, alteratives are usually blood cleansers and blood chemistry balancers. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.

SEE ALL 'ALTERATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Blood Thinner

BLOOD-THINNER

Herbs that thin the blood. Helpful for people with heart disease or clogged circulation.

SEE ALL 'BLOOD-THINNER' FOODS / HERBS

Refrigerant

REFRIGERANT

An herb or substance that strongly cools the body. Can be helpful in cases of heat conditions.

SEE ALL 'REFRIGERANT' FOODS / HERBS

Kidney & Urinary:

Diuretic

DIURETIC

Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Liver & Gallbladder:

Cholagogue

CHOLAGOGUE

Cholagogues stimulate the release of bile from the gall bladder for improved digestion.

SEE ALL 'CHOLAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

Weight Loss:

Hypolipidemic

HYPOLIPIDEMIC

Scrapes fats / cleanses blood vessels.

SEE ALL 'HYPOLIPIDEMIC' FOODS / HERBS

Joyful Belly is a recognized school of biocharacteristics medicine.

Compare Cilantro with these Foods

Compare the following foods with Cilantro:

Fenugreek

Fenugreek has these Actions in Common

Antipyretic, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Burns-toxins, Detoxicant, Hypolipidemic, Stomachic, Anti-inflammatory, Carminative, Digestive, Spleen-tonic

LEARN MORE

Saffron

Saffron has these Actions in Common

Antipyretic, Carminative, Diuretic, Stomachic, Blood-thinner, Detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Styptic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Dill

Dill has these Actions in Common

Appetizer, Detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Stimulates-energy, Antipyretic, Carminative, Diuretic, Stomachic

LEARN MORE

Ginger (Fresh)

Ginger (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

Appetizer, Detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Anti-inflammatory, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Stomachic, Antiemetic, Carminative, Spleen-tonic

LEARN MORE

Cinnamon

Cinnamon has these Actions in Common

Carminative, Hemostatic, Styptic, Appetizer, Detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Stimulates-energy, Antiemetic

LEARN MORE

Turmeric

Turmeric has these Actions in Common

Anti-inflammatory, Carminative, Digestive, Blood-thinner, Cholagogue, Hypolipidemic, Alterative, Burns-toxins, Detoxicant, Spleen-tonic

LEARN MORE

Coriander Seed

Coriander Seed has these Actions in Common

Appetizer, Detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Alterative, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Antihistamine, Carminative, Diuretic

LEARN MORE

Cardamom

Cardamom has these Actions in Common

Appetizer, Detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Stimulates-energy, Antiemetic, Carminative, Diuretic

LEARN MORE

Tarragon

Tarragon has these Actions in Common

Diuretic, Blood-thinner, Detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Alterative, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Appetizer, Carminative

LEARN MORE

Fennel Seeds

Fennel Seeds has these Actions in Common

Diuretic, Stomachic, Appetizer, Detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Stimulates-energy, Carminative

LEARN MORE

Compare Cilantro with these Herb Supplements

Compare the following herb supplements with Cilantro:

Mugwort

Mugwort has these Actions in Common

Appetizer, Carminative, Cholagogue, Detoxicant, Digestive, Diuretic, Anti-inflammatory, Refrigerant, Antiemetic, Stomachic

LEARN MORE

Yarrow

Yarrow has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Stomachic, Anti-inflammatory, Styptic, Antipyretic, Blood-thinner, Carminative, Detoxicant, Diuretic, Hemostatic

LEARN MORE

Amalaki

Amalaki has these Actions in Common

Detoxicant, Digestive, Hemostatic, Refreshing, Alterative, Stimulates-energy, Anti-inflammatory, Styptic, Antipyretic, Carminative

LEARN MORE

Haritaki

Haritaki has these Actions in Common

Carminative, Detoxicant, Digestive, Diuretic, Hemostatic, Alterative, Styptic, Anti-inflammatory, Appetizer

LEARN MORE

Neem Leaf

Neem Leaf has these Actions in Common

Detoxicant, Hypolipidemic, Refrigerant, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic, Blood-thinner, Cholagogue

LEARN MORE

Wild Ginger

Wild Ginger has these Actions in Common

Digestive, Spleen-tonic, Stimulates-energy, Antiemetic, Antihistamine, Appetizer, Burns-toxins, Detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Manjistha

Manjistha has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Blood-thinner, Detoxicant, Diuretic, Hemostatic, Hypolipidemic, Spleen-tonic

LEARN MORE

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

Anti-inflammatory, Antihistamine, Appetizer, Detoxicant, Diuretic, Hypolipidemic, Stimulates-energy, Stomachic

LEARN MORE

Bitter Ghee - Tikta Ghrta (9 fl oz)

Bitter Ghee - Tikta Ghrta (9 fl oz) has these Actions in Common

Blood-thinner, Cholagogue, Hypolipidemic, Refrigerant, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory

LEARN MORE

Cleavers

Cleavers has these Actions in Common

Detoxicant, Diuretic, Refrigerant, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Blood-thinner

LEARN MORE

Mahasudarshan

Mahasudarshan has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Antipyretic, Burns-toxins, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Spleen-tonic

LEARN MORE

Cilantro Research & Clinical Trials

In each clinical research trial below, students from the Joyful Belly School of Ayurveda ate the selected food for 3 days and reported the pharmacological effects. See other clinical research trials for diet & herbs at Joyful Belly.