Healthy Herbs - Parsley, Cilantro, Celery and other “Umbrellas”

Many popular healthy herbs including parsley, cilantro (coriander), dill, fennel and cumin belong to a healing family of plants called the Umbelliferae group. This group of plants is characterized by umbrella-like flower clusters. Celery and carrots are also powerful healers from this flavorful family.

All of these healthy herbs are known to be fantastic for seasoning food – even carrots and celery are popular as a basic flavoring for soups and vegetable broths. But these herbs are also medicinal and were used for healing even before they became culinary staples.

Cilantro (or coriander) is the oldest known spice, traced back to 5,000 BC and was used by Hippocrates as a medicine. Ancient Greeks also used parsley medicinally and considered it sacred. They adorned athletic victors and tombs of the deceased with sprigs of parsley and celery leaves. Celery leaves were mentioned as medicine in the famed epic Odyssey by Greek poet Homer. Only during the Middle Ages did celery and parsley begin to be used as food.

All of these healthy herbs are rich in antioxidants and flavonoids that cleanse toxins, fight infections and heal the body. While all of them are high in vitamin C, critical for boosting the immune system, each plant provides other vitamins and minerals that offer unique healing properties. Carrots are known for being the largest powerhouse of vitamin A (beta carotene), important for eye and lung health. Celery is rich in key minerals important to fluid balance - potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium.

Celery – A Healthy Herb?

Celery is considered by most to be a vegetable used for dips, salads and soups. The stalks are most often eaten, however, the leaves, roots and seeds are also edible and are potent cleansers. Celery leaves were used for healing by the ancient Greeks and later as a seasoning by the Romans.

Celery is an excellent source of vitamin C and is high in electrolyte minerals necessary for fluid balance. It is high in potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium. It acts as a diuretic, stimulating urine production and ridding the body of excess fluids. Fluid balance is extremely important during your detox and this healthy herb is the best one for the job. Celery also lowers cholesterol and reduces blood pressure.

Use celery raw for dips, salads, or fresh juicing as well as adding it to your cooked recipes. Be sure to include the leaves as they have even higher vitamin C, calcium and magnesium than the stalks. The leaves don’t store as long as the stalks, so use them first. If your celery “wilts,” due to its high water content, soak or sprinkle it in cold water. It’s also very important to buy celery organic as it is one of the “dirty dozen” - the 12 foods carrying the highest pesticide residue when grown conventionally.

Cilantro – A Healthy Herb for Cleansing Microbes

Cilantro is an aromatic herb used traditionally in Latin, Indian and Chinese cooking. It greatly enhances the flavor and nutrient content of these dishes. Its leaves and seeds (known as coriander) are anti-inflammatory and help to reduce cholesterol and blood sugar.

The cilantro leaves are also antimicrobial and anti-bacterial. They fight off infections and other bugs in the body. Their cleansing and healing properties have been particularly noted for fighting Salmonella, a food-borne bacteria. Cilantro is also a powerful cleanser of heavy metals in the system. When used in larger quantities it can clear out trace metals, such as mercury left over from dental amalgams and vaccinations.

Cilantro is best used fresh. It should be vibrant and deep green when purchased. Coriander can be used as whole seeds or ground powder. Even though dried herbs and spices are widely available in supermarkets, explore the local spice stores or ethnic markets in your area or shop online for higher quality. These stores feature an expansive selection of dried herbs and spices that are superior in quality and freshness to those offered in regular markets. For a high quality line of organic, non-irradiated herbs and spices, check out Mountain Rose Herbs.

Parsley – A Healthy Herb for Cleansing the Liver

Parsley is perhaps one of the most underappreciated healthy herbs. It is too often thought of as a simple garnish and tossed aside. Yet this has powerfully cleansing and healing properties. Parsley neutralizes toxins in your liver, inhibits abnormal cell growth (preventing tumors and cancers), and boosts the immune system.

Parsley has an impressive array of nutrients including vitamins C and A, chlorophyll, calcium, sodium, magnesium, and iron. It improves digestion, promotes urination and relieves mucous based conditions such as excess weight, swollen glands, and bladder and kidney conditions. 1

Parsley and some of the other healthy herbs in the umbrella family contain “volatile oils” as well as flavonoids for fighting free radicals. The volatile oils are what work at the cellular level to cleanse toxins while the flavonoids, like vitamins A and C, stimulate healthy lungs, joints and heart. Asthma and arthritis are reduced using these potent herbs.

Curly or Flat Italian parsley have the same healing properties. The Italian variety tends to be more flavorful and best used in cooking with other strong flavors. Curly parsley can be more bitter. The Italian variety can be dried more easily, while curly parsley actually takes well to freezing for later use. For a powerful dose of cleansing parsley, try our Super Pesto recipe.

The Other Healthy Herbs – Carrots, Fennel, Dill and Cumin

Carrots hardly need an introduction. While not exactly an herb, carrots are in this family and their green tops are much more than a garnish. Made famous by the cartoon character Bugs Bunny, they are popular and widely used in cooked and and raw dishes such as salads. They are known for having the highest beta carotene content of any food and are thus very healing for the eyes and lungs.

Carrots have also been used medicinally for centuries. Vitamin A regulates blood sugar and protects the lungs and eyes from toxins. The green stalks of carrots are high in vitamins and can be used in your green smoothies. Carrots come in a variety of colors – orange, red, purple, white – but the deeper the orange color, the more beta carotene they possess.

Beta carotene remains stable when cooked and heat actually breaks down the fiber in carrots making some of the nutrients more available. Try our Carrot Burdock Stirfry for a delicious detoxifying meal.

Fennel possesses volatile oils, fiber, folate and potassium. It protects the liver and is anti-inflammatory. It has a taste like licorice or anise and its white bulb is crunchy like celery. The white bulb, green stalks and leaves can be used fresh and the leaves and seeds can be used as a dried herb. The fresh stalks make a delicious addition to stir-fries, salads and or a great vegetable scoop for dips.

Dill is also know to be antibacterial and can be used fresh or dried. The leaves and the seeds are healing and flavorful. It is most known for pickling cucumbers, thus famous for “dill pickles,” but it can be used in a variety of dishes – soups, stir fry or dips.

Cumin seeds are also in this family and are beneficial for digestion and stomach health. They are also high in iron which is good for energy and immune function. Cumin’s unique and strong flavor is integral to traditional cooking in Mexico, India and the Middle East.

¹Healing With Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition (3rd Edition), by Paul Pitchford

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