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When you think of fresh cilantro, what comes to mind? Is it guacamole, tacos or other Mexican cuisine?

You may be surprised, but cilantro can be used in everything; it’s a delicious herb with medicinal benefits galore.

In America, cilantro refers to the leaves of the plant, which look a little bit like parsley. I always have to squint to make sure I’m grabbing the right one at the grocery store. But the seeds of the same plant are called coriander, so both names are used for the respective spices.

Cilantro is rich in carotenoids, as well as quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin and rhamnetin. This simply means it provides excellent antioxidant power to clean up your body like a cellular vacuum cleaner.

Plus, because it’s green, the chlorophyll you consume from it acts as an excellent detoxifier.

And even more interesting: Did you know that as consumers have been pushing for antibiotic-free chicken, poultry farmers have been using cilantro as one herbal antibiotic? That’s how strong its antimicrobial effects are!

Here are the top three surprising medicinal benefits of cilantro:

Chelation

Cilantro gently detoxifies and removes heavy metals from the body in a process called chelation.

These metals get into your bloodstream if you eat certain foods processed with metals or are exposed to environmental pollutants, contaminated water, old dental fillings, household chemicals, smoking and more.

While cilantro can’t remove all metals or prevent disease, it is still widely revered for its detoxification capabilities, and there are studies to prove that.

Bone building

Cilantro is one of the best herbal sources for vitamin K, which helps put calcium back into your bones by shuttling it out of your bloodstream.

We also know that cilantro is a great source of other minerals that are needed for strong bones. It contains calcium, of course, but also potassium, iron, magnesium and manganese.

Seizure prevention

Epilepsy is a serious condition that requires proper treatment by a qualified practitioner. Traditional medications often include those in the category of anticonvulsants and tricyclic antidepressants.

But what about an herb like cilantro? The therapeutic action of cilantro comes as a surprise to most; however, it is proven to be, and in my professional opinion it is, a promising adjunctive therapy used alongside conventional treatments to control seizures.

One caveat

It’s rare but true that some people find the smell and taste of cilantro quite foul. That’s because they have a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) in one of their “smell genes,” the olfactory receptor OR6A2.

Polymorphisms in this specific gene cause some people to detect a soapy taste, but again it’s rare. Still, some people are going to hate it!

In this article, I’m referring to eating the fresh herb, which you can buy at any supermarket. I am uncertain if pills and extracts (i.e., cilantro supplementation) are right for everyone.

Please ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking dietary supplements of cilantro. If you would like additional information, please subscribe to my free newsletter at suzycohen.com

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This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement.

Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe.