Anyone with high blood fat should use this seed: just about $0.20 per handful, and every part—from leaves to roots—is medicinal

This is a familiar culinary herb that not only enhances the flavor of dishes but also offers many health benefits, especially in helping to reduce blood lipid levels.

According to Dr. Pham Viet Hoang, former Deputy Director of Tue Tinh Hospital (Hanoi), culantro (also known as sawtooth coriander, Eryngium foetidum) is not just a common herb. From its leaves and roots to its seeds, it is considered a valuable medicinal plant, particularly for supporting the reduction of blood fats.

Among the different parts of culantro, the seeds are rich in fiber, which helps cleanse the body and lower blood cholesterol levels. People with high blood lipids can regularly boil culantro seeds to drink as a way to help reduce cholesterol and “cleanse” the blood.

How to use the seeds:
Wash 5 grams of culantro seeds, then grind or crush them. Add about 300 ml of water, strain to remove the residue, then boil the filtered liquid and simmer gently for about 3 minutes. Let it cool and drink.

In addition, culantro leaves have a mildly spicy taste and a slightly warming nature. In traditional medicine, they are believed to affect the lung and spleen meridians, helping to regulate qi, strengthen digestion, relieve indigestion, and dispel cold. This herb is especially suitable for people who often experience bloating, poor digestion, chest heaviness, or fatigue due to qi stagnation.

How to use the leaves:
Wash one handful of culantro leaves and boil them with 1 liter of water and a few slices of ginger. Simmer for 10–15 minutes, let it cool to warm, then divide into 2–3 servings throughout the day. This drink helps relieve stagnation, promote urination, and support digestion in a gentle, comfortable way.

Culantro is also considered beneficial for kidney health. It may help support the treatment of kidney stones by lightly roasting the leaves over a flame until wilted, then decocting them with three bowls of water until only one bowl remains. Divide this into three doses to drink during the day. The recommended course is 7–9 days, and it is best taken before meals.

Who should avoid using culantro?

Although it is a vegetable, when used for therapeutic purposes, culantro should be consumed appropriately. People who tend to have excessive internal heat—such as those who frequently experience constipation, acne, or mouth ulcers—should limit its use, as its warming properties may worsen these symptoms.