Background

Cilantro refers to the leaves of the coriander plant. It is commonly eaten as a food or used as a spice. Cilantro can also be used as a medicine.

Cilantro is used for cancer, measles, toothache, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

In foods, cilantro is used as a flavoring agent.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: Cilantro is LIKELY SAFE when taken in food amounts. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if it safe when used in larger amounts as medicine. Some people might experience allergies after eating cilantro. There is one report of hives, facial swelling, and throat swelling in a man who ate cilantro.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if cilantro is safe. When cilantro comes in contact with the skin, it can cause hives or itching.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if cilantro is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Bleeding disorders: Cilantro might slow blood clotting. There is concern that cilantro might increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders when eaten in large amounts.

Surgery: Cilantro might slow blood clotting. There is a concern that it might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery when eaten in large amounts. Stop using large amounts of cilantro at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

The appropriate dose of cilantro depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for cilantro. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight (Photosensitizing drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Some medications can increase sensitivity to sunlight. Cilantro might also increase your sensitivity to sunlight. Taking cilantro along with medication that increases sensitivity to sunlight could increase the chances of sunburn, blistering, or rashes on areas of skin exposed to sunlight. Be sure to wear sunblock and protective clothing when spending time in the sun.

Some drugs that cause photosensitivity include amitriptyline (Elavil), Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), norfloxacin (Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), ofloxacin (Floxin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), gatifloxacin (Tequin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Septra), tetracycline, methoxsalen (8-methoxypsoralen, 8-MOP, Oxsoralen), and Trioxsalen (Trisoralen).

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Cilantro might slow blood clotting. Taking large amounts of cilantro along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.

Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Cilantro might slow blood clotting. Using it with other herbs that have this same effect might increase the chance of bruising and bleeding. Some herbs that might slow blood clotting are angelica, anise, arnica, asafoetida, bogbean, boldo, capsicum, celery, chamomile, clove, fenugreek, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, horse chestnut, horseradish, licorice, meadowsweet, onion, Panax ginseng, papain, passionflower, poplar, prickly ash, quassia, red clover, turmeric, wild carrot, wild lettuce, willow, and others.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.

Action

Cilantro might help remove metals such as mercury, lead, and aluminum from the body. Removing these metals from the body might help some antibiotics and antiviral medicines work better. Cilantro might also help eliminate certain bacteria that cause infections.