The Benefits of Cilantro + Two Family-Friendly Recipes

Cilantro is loved by chefs and herbalists alike. Beyond flavor, this bright green herb offers meaningful nutritional value and support for the body’s natural detoxification pathways.

In this article, you’ll learn about the benefits of cilantro and how it supports everyday wellness; plus, you’ll find two simple, family-friendly recipes: a cilantro smoothie and a cilantro-lime dipping sauce that goes great with veggies or drizzled over your favorite grilled protein!

Cilantro (also called coriander leaf) has been used traditionally to support digestion and overall wellness. In herbal traditions, cilantro is often discussed for its role in supporting the body’s natural detoxification processes.

From a nutritional standpoint, cilantro provides plant compounds that help support antioxidant balance in the body. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals, which are produced during normal metabolism and exposure to environmental stressors (1).

Cilantro leaves are also a source of vitamins A, C, and K, along with small amounts of minerals, such as potassium and manganese. These nutrients play roles in immune function, normal cellular activity, and overall metabolic health.

An interesting note about cilantro is that some people experience it as having a soapy taste (2). This is due to a genetic variation that affects how certain aldehydes in cilantro are perceived! This makes cilantro a very divisive herb that some people love and others can’t stand! 

Traditionally, cilantro has been used to support digestion and appetite (3). As an aromatic herb, cilantro contains naturally occurring plant compounds that may help gently stimulate digestive processes. This can make meals feel easier to digest, particularly those that are rich, fatty, or protein dense.

You might like this article, too: How To Stop Bloating: A Practical Guide To Feeling Your Best

The body is naturally equipped with highly sophisticated detox organs, primarily the liver, kidneys, digestive tract, lungs, and skin. Cilantro is an herb that can support those systems nutritionally by providing:

• Plant antioxidants that support oxidative balance (1)
• Chlorophyll-rich greens that complement liver and digestive function
• Nutrients that support normal metabolic and cellular processes
• Support for the body’s handling of heavy metals (4). 

To learn more about detoxification, read this article: How Does Detoxification Work? Understanding Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III Detoxification

For families looking to include cilantro into their routine in supplement form, Dr. Green Life offers several thoughtfully formulated products that include cilantro as part of a broader detox support approach.

VaxClear® With Metal Mend™: A doctor-formulated herbal supplement designed to support gentle detoxification and elimination pathways in infants and children.✝ It includes organic cilantro leaf along with organic chlorella thallus, organic acerola fruit, and more to support antioxidant balance and binding support in developing systems.✝ USDA Organic, non-GMO, and third-party tested.

Metal Mend™ is a therapeutic-grade herbal detox formula designed to support the body’s natural handling of heavy metals and oxidative stress.✝ It features organic cilantro leaf paired with carefully chosen botanicals. Metal Mend™ is commonly used for gentle heavy metal detox support in children ages 4+, as well as vaccine detox support in adults, including during pregnancy and lactation when appropriate and under professional guidance.✝

To learn more, read this article: Herbal Detox Support For Kids: When To Use VaxClear®, Detox Junior™ & Metal Mend™

Cilantro’s fresh flavor works well in sweeter flavored dishes like smoothies as well as in savory dishes! Below you’ll find two of my favorite cilantro recipes!

Cilantro provides valuable plant compounds that support digestion, antioxidant activity, and the body’s natural detoxification processes. It can be easily incorporated into everyday meals or used in thoughtfully formulated supplements as part of a balanced, supportive wellness approach!