Cilantro grains, leaves and roots - how they are used in cooking and folk medicine

In our latitudes, cilantro has become widespread, along with dill And parsley. Growing a plant and caring for it is not difficult. Cilantro seeds are widely used in cooking and medicine.

Content:

1. Growing cilantro, secrets of proper care
2. We get spice on the windowsill
3. How are cilantro seeds (coriander) used in cooking?
4. Use of coriander in folk medicine
5. How is cilantro root used?

Growing cilantro, secrets of proper care

Cilantro (or coriander) is a frequent visitor to country gardens and vegetable gardens in our area. Many people do not realize that the spice came to the table from Asian countries, where it was grown for the past millennia.

Although the plant comes from hot countries, coriander thrives in the middle climate zone, as well as in latitudes with cooler climates. Cilantro amazingly combines resistance to cold and heat-loving, is unpretentious to care and easy to grow.

Selecting a location

For planting, choose places with plenty of sunlight. In shaded areas, cilantro is not sufficiently enriched with essential oils, has a weak taste and aroma, and is more like a weed. Grows best in loose, nutritious soil. In damp soils, plant roots often rot. Coriander goes well with other spicy plants (dill, caraway).

Boarding time

They begin to plant seeds in mid-spring, when the soil warms up slightly. Cilantro is cold-resistant and survives light frosts down to -5 C. To enjoy the spice longer, planting can be done several times, until mid-July.

Preparation

The grains are covered with a dense shell and take a long time to germinate (up to two weeks). To speed up the appearance of shoots, they are pre-soaked in warm water for 1-2 days.

Fertilizer

Before sowing, add to the soil compost. When replanting, the soil is fertilized with superphosphate fertilizers.

Watering

Pay attention to watering, the richness of the greenery depends on it. For 1 sq.m. about 5 liters of water are required. Avoid drought during hot periods. Lack of moisture slows down the growth and maturation of grass. When the soil dries slightly, it is loosened.

Greens are cut 1-1.5 months after the sprouts appear, until buds form. By this time, the bushes reach a height of 12-15 cm. After flowering, the grass quickly loses its taste and becomes coarse.

Cilantro is grown both for harvesting greens and seeds. The grains are dried and stored for the winter.

We get spice on the windowsill

If you do not have a plot of land, cilantro It is quite possible to grow it on a windowsill or on a balcony. The growing location should be as sunny as possible. March is the best time for sowing.

Container selection

The size of the container is determined by how much harvest you want to get. Standard flower pots with drainage holes will do. For a large number of bushes, it is better to take seedling containers. Ceramic or wooden breathable containers are suitable.

Priming

It is important to take fertile, loose soil. Use regular garden soil or a universal substrate purchased at the store.

Sowing

The fresher the grains, the higher the percentage germination. There is no need to plant the plants too densely; there should be a distance of at least 4 cm. The seeds are immersed to a depth of 1-1.5 cm. Please note that the cilantro root is easily damaged; the plant is not suitable for replanting.

Germination

To create favorable conditions, containers are covered with glass or film. The greenhouse is removed after the sprouts appear. As the seedlings grow, they are thinned out, removing weak specimens.

During short daylight hours, additional artificial lighting is provided. Maintain soil moisture levels. The greenery harvest is ready for harvest after a month.

The grains are collected after the plant has flowered and the heads have dried. After collection, the seeds are dried and stored in a paper container.

How are cilantro seeds (coriander) used in cooking?

Grains cilantro – a popular spice that is widely used in cooking. It is most widespread in eastern countries. For the people of India, the fruits have become a basic seasoning for most dishes.

The seeds are the most valuable plant. Interestingly, the greens are more often called cilantro, and the fruits are coriander. The grains are practically not consumed fresh due to their specific smell. The dried spice has a wonderful sweetish taste and aroma that resembles anise.

Fresh greens are most often chopped and added to fresh vegetable salads, as well as to soups. Cilantro grains are the most popular in cooking.

They are used as follows:

• On an industrial scale for the production of sausages and cheese.
• When preparing vegetable soups, purees and stews. Combined with pumpkin, cabbage, beets, carrots.
• In the production process of baked goods, cookies, loaves, buns, gingerbreads.
• Added to legume dishes (peas, beans, lentils).
• Mix with other spices to create interesting compositions.
• Season pickled vegetables and salted fish.
• They make the taste of sauces more piquant.

Before use, the seeds are processed: dried and ground to a powdery state.

Ground spice quickly loses its taste, so it is better to grind the grains as needed.

Use of coriander in folk medicine

In addition to excellent taste, coriander has a beneficial effect on various body systems. The plant contains essential oils, linoleic and other valuable acids.

In folk medicine, cilantro is used in different ways due to its diverse actions:

• Removes excess fluid, relieves swelling. Used for cystitis, urolithiasis and gallbladder pathologies.
• Has an anti-inflammatory effect. Effective for arthritis and other joint diseases.
• Due to the high content of organic acids, it prevents the accumulation of harmful cholesterol and the appearance of deposits on the walls of blood vessels.
• Eating different parts of the plant is an excellent prevention of atherosclerosis.
• It has antimicrobial and antifungal effects and is used to treat indigestion.
• Used as an auxiliary substance for hepatitis, congestion in the liver and kidneys.

The following remedy has proven itself to be effective: for 40 grains of sugar, take 25-30 coriander grains and grind them. Take 2 tsp in the morning and evening, diluted in a glass of water.

Citronellol present in the composition helps with stomatitis and unpleasant oral odor.

Cilantro is rich in iron, so it is popularly considered an effective remedy for anemia.

Consuming coriander is beneficial for women. Regular use normalizes the menstrual cycle and eliminates premenstrual syndrome.

The bottom has a beneficial effect on the health of the visual organs. Vitamins and antioxidants protect tissues from aging.

The plant is widely used for skin diseases. The substances disinfect inflammation and have a calming and antifungal effect.

coriander seeds, caraway and peppermint are poured with boiling water and an infusion is prepared. The drug is taken when coughing to thin the mucus and facilitate its removal.

People prone to depression and sleep disorders are advised to add seasoning to their daily diet. The spice provides a surge of strength and puts you in a positive mood. At the same time, coriander relaxes and has a sedative effect.

An infusion of seeds gives an excellent effect. To prepare it, just pour one spoon of crushed grains with 0.5 cups of alcohol in a dark glass container and leave for 2 weeks. Take 45 drops several times a day.

Coriander is also used in the pharmaceutical industry. The extract is added to drugs for gastritis, antiseptics and painkillers.

How is cilantro root used?

Thin branched root cilantro – the least used part of the plant. It tastes like leaves, but has a much less pronounced smell and taste. Despite the weak aroma, this part of the plant is not inferior in its beneficial properties.

The root is used in cooking mainly in Asian countries. It is first dried and then crushed. This seasoning is suitable for fish, meat, making broths, soups and sauces.

Coriander root is also used for cosmetic purposes. Prepare a lotion by infusing the root, mixing it with a decoction of parsley and lemon juice. Using the product, pigment spots are removed and enlarged pores are narrowed.

Cilantro is easy to grow in the garden and even on your own windowsill. Grains, roots and greens of plants are used in different spheres of life. The seasoning has an excellent aroma and is good for health.

Watch an interesting video on how to grow cilantro throughout the year: