Cilantro (popularly known as coriander) has long and widely been accepted as a healthy herb. However, this common kitchen ingredient is also considered as the BFF by a lot of beauty enthusiasts. Why? Because it is loaded with skin and hair-friendly vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and several other nutrients, which can naturally give us a complete beauty boost. We tell you how to take care of your skin and hair with cilantro:
What is Cilantro?
Popularly known as Chinese parsley, cilantro is a popular herb in the family Apiaceae and a member of the parsley family (1). It is widely used in cooking, although it has plenty of health and medicinal value. Apart from adding flavors to your favorite dish, it also has anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties and acts as a natural preservative (2).
Why is Cilantro Good for Skin and Hair?
This aromatic herb comes with anti-allergic, antioxidant, anti-fungal, and antiseptic properties. Antioxidants and Vitamin C present in cilantro may protect skin from signs of aging. Moreover, it helps in maintaining radiant and glowing skin (3). In addition, consumption of cilantro juice or topical application may reduce common hair-related problems, including hair fall.
Benefits Of Cilantro For Skin
From eradicating acne-causing bacteria to making pigmented lips pinker, cilantro can do a lot for our skin, and that too naturally and safely. So if you want healthy and glowing skin just by using a kitchen ingredient like cilantro, you should use it. We are here to guide you:
1. Improved Skin Texture
Applying a cilantro face mask can improve the texture of our skin to a large extent (4). To prepare it, you’ll need a handful of fresh cilantro leaves, 1 small cucumber, (1/4) cup of milk, and (1/2) cup of oatmeal powder. First, peel the cucumber and make small dices of it. Next, put the cucumber dices, cilantro leaves, milk, and oatmeal into a blender. Blend for a couple of minutes to form a smooth paste and apply it evenly onto your skin. Rinse with tepid water after 15-20 minutes to reveal soft, supple, and smooth skin.
2. Acne & Breakout Fighter
How about trying a simple cilantro mask to fight against that stubborn acne and breakouts (5)? The treatment is quite easy, and you only need a handful of fresh cilantro, 1 teaspoon of lemongrass, and 1 teaspoon of chamomile for this. Take all the ingredients in a bowl, add a cup of boiling water, and keep aside for 1 hour. Then, blend the whole thing for a couple of minutes. Finally, apply it all over your face and wash it off with lukewarm water after 20 minutes. Regular application of this mask will reduce the chances of developing breakouts greatly.
3. Skin Rejuvenator
A cilantro-rice face mask will be the best choice if you need to freshen up your skin and rejuvenate it for added glow (6). Chop up 2-3 cilantro sprigs and take them into a bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of pure aloe vera gel, 2 tablespoons of yogurt, 1 tablespoon of rice powder, 1 tablespoon of fresh coconut milk, and 2 tablespoons of white kaolin clay to it. Mix everything well and process until the paste becomes smooth. Apply it onto the skin in a uniform layer and wait up to 20 minutes to let it dry. Then, rinse away with lukewarm water to discover a refreshed, invigorated skin.
4. Face Lifter
Say ‘no’ to mature, sagging skin with a safe and natural cilantro-egg white face lifting mask. Tear 2-3 cilantro sprigs in large pieces and separate the whites of 2 eggs from their yolks. Put these into a blender along with (1/2) cup of oats. Process until everything is mixed together and turned into a smooth paste of thick consistency. Apply it onto your face in an even layer, allow it to harden for 10-15 minutes, and rinse off with tepid water. This will tighten up your face instantly.
5. Blackhead Buster
Nobody likes those ugly blackheads at the tip of the nose as well as right on the chin. A cilantro spot treatment will help eliminate this issue. Combine 1 teaspoon of fresh lime juice with 1 teaspoon of fresh cilantro juice, and apply the mixture to the affected parts of the skin. Wash off with lukewarm water after an hour or so.
Also Read – How Are Cilantro And Weight Loss Connected?
6. Dry and Dark Lips Lightener
Getting a rose pink lip is a dream of every woman, and regular application of cilantro juice can lighten the shade of dark lips dramatically. The mixture of 1 teaspoon of fresh cilantro juice and 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice can also help restore the natural pink color of your lips. Leave the mixture on your lips overnight and wash it off the next morning for the best results.
Benefits Of Cilantro For Hair
Cilantro can help us maintain a healthy scalp so that we can be proud of our lustrous hair. Know how to use this herb for the betterment of your mane:
7. No More Hair Loss
When it comes to reducing hair fall to a great extent (7), cilantro can turn out to be your best friend. Take as many cilantro sprigs as you need to cover your scalp, chop them up, and put them inside a blender. Pour some water into it and make a smooth paste of medium consistency. Apply it thoroughly all over your scalp and let it sit for at least an hour. Then, wash away with a mild shampoo. Practicing this thrice a week can help you combat frequent hair fall effectively.
8. Stimulates Hair Growth
Not only preventing hair loss, but cilantro can also stimulate the growth of our locks considerably (8). Prepare a natural hair rinse by boiling a bunch of cilantro in a large pot of water for 30-45 minutes. Cool the infusion down and rinse your hair with it carefully. This will stimulate our hair follicles and promote the growth of new hair.
Apart from the topical applications, you can also consume a warm detox remedy made of cilantro juice and pure honey thrice every day in order to fight against your skin and hair issues internally.
Health Benefits of Cilantro
Cilantro is a wonderful herb, and it comes with many health benefits. Some of the benefits are (9)
- Manages blood sugar levels
- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Reduces risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
- Benefits heart health
- Improves digestion
Side effects of Cilantro
Topical application of cilantro is considered safe, although it may cause skin irritations and rashes in certain cases. In addition, when consumed as medicine in large quantities, it may cause asthma, nasal swelling, and hives (10).
Also Read – Siddha Treatment for Hair Loss
Summary:
Cilantro is a “wonder herb” and it comes with health and medicinal benefits. It has the ability to manage blood sugar levels, reduce stress and anxiety, improve digestion, and benefit heart health. Apart from that, cilantro offers tons of beauty benefits when applied to your skin or hair. Some of the benefits include improved skin texture, protection from acne and breakouts, prevents dry lips and pigmentation, reduces hair loss, and promotes hair growth. Topical application of cilantro is safe although in rare circumstances one can experience rashes and irritations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Cilantro an anti-inflammatory herb?
Cilantro has anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, it acts as a disinfectant, detoxifying, antiseptic, and antifungal agent.
Is cilantro good for hair growth?
Loaded with essential vitamins and nutrients, cilantro can prevent hair loss and promote new hair growth.
Does cilantro make you lose weight?
Cilantro has a special element called quercetin which improves the body’s metabolism. Moreover, cilantro has a detoxifying property that helps in flushing out toxins from the body. Thus, it aids in the weight loss process too.
Is cilantro good for your stomach?
Cilantro is considered good for the stomach and helps prevent nausea, gas, bloating, and indigestion. In addition, it aids in the release of digestive enzymes, thus promoting good gut health.
References –
- “Coriander” – en.wikipedia.org
- “Why is cilantro (coriander) good for you?” – medicalnewstoday.com
- “Health Benefits of Coriander” – webmd.com
- “6 Amazing Benefits Of Cilantro Or Coriander” – academia.edu
- “The Two Random Foods That Cleared My Skin” – mindbodygreen.com
- “Coriander Leaf Extract Exerts Antioxidant Activity and Protects Against UVB-Induced Photoaging of Skin by Regulation of Procollagen Type I and MMP-1 Expression” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Use of cilantro extract” – patents.google.com
- “Coriander juice for hair growth“- lybrate.com
- “Health Benefits of Cilantro” – webmd.com
- “CILANTRO” – webmd.com
