Culantro — known in Vietnamese as mùi tàu or ngò gai and scientifically as Eryngium foetidum — is far more than a flavorful kitchen herb. Beyond its distinctive aroma that enriches soups, noodles, and stews, this modest plant has a long history in both traditional medicine and modern herbal research for its health benefits.

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A Natural “Green Pharmacy” in Your Kitchen

Studies show that both the leaves and roots of culantro contain high concentrations of essential oils, particularly eryngial and eryngione, compounds with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties (Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2019). The seeds are rich in calcium, iron, phosphorus, carotene, and riboflavin, while the leaves provide vitamins A, B1, B2, and C—making culantro not only a culinary enhancer but also a valuable dietary supplement.

In traditional Asian and Caribbean medicine, culantro is described as warming, aromatic, slightly bitter, and used to “disperse wind,” support digestion, and relieve pain and inflammation. Modern pharmacological studies have partially confirmed these effects, citing potential benefits for respiratory health, liver function, and infection control (PubMed Central, 2021).

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Health Benefits of Culantro Water

1. Freshens Breath and Fights Oral Bacteria

A simple home remedy: Boil 30 g of fresh culantro leaves in 200 ml of water, add a pinch of salt, and use this as a mouth rinse three times daily. Its essential oils possess natural antibacterial action, helping eliminate odor-causing bacteria in the mouth. (WebMD, Herbal Mouth Rinses Review, 2023).

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2. Improves Skin Health and Fades Dark Spots

Culantro extract is rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C and flavonoids, which can help neutralize free radicals and improve skin tone.

• Chop a handful of leaves, soak them in warm water for two hours, strain, and use the infusion to cleanse or mask the skin twice daily.
  Consistent use may help reduce pigmentation and brighten the complexion naturally (Healthline, 2023).

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3. Supports Digestion and Relieves Bloating

Traditional Vietnamese medicine uses culantro juice to treat indigestion, colitis, and mild liver inflammation. Crush washed leaves, squeeze out the juice, and take one to two teaspoons three to five times daily. Its volatile oils stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes, helping food move more smoothly through the stomach and intestines (NIH, Herbal Digestive Aids, 2022).

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Traditional Healing Recipes with Culantro

⚠️ Note: The following are traditional uses. These remedies can complement—but should not replace—professional medical treatment.

🌿 For Gastritis

Boil 20 g culantro root with 20 g licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and drink warm twice a day to soothe stomach discomfort.

🌿 For Nausea or Indigestion

Combine 20 g culantro with 6 g lemongrass, 12 g perilla leaves, and 6 g fresh ginger. Simmer gently and sip warm tea to calm the stomach and reduce bloating.

🌿 For Diarrhea or Abdominal Pain

Mix culantro (20 g) with lemongrass, perilla, and fresh ginger (12 g each). Boil in 500 ml of water until half remains, strain, and drink throughout the day.

🌿 For Cold or Flu Relief

Simmer 40 g culantro with 10 g fresh ginger, 8 g wormwood (Artemisia vulgaris), and 12 g Chromolaena odorata leaves. Drink hot to promote sweating and clear nasal congestion.

🌿 For Mouth Ulcers

Rinse fresh culantro and húng chanh (Plectranthus amboinicus) leaves in salted water, chew slowly, and swallow the juice. Their antibacterial oils can help soothe mouth sores.

🌿 For Allergic Rashes or Skin Itching

Grind fresh culantro leaves, filter the juice, and apply directly to affected skin twice daily. Its cooling, anti-inflammatory effect may relieve irritation.

🌿 For Early-Stage Measles

Boil 9 g culantro with 3 g peppermint and 3 g thuyền thoái (silkworm husk) to promote sweating and detoxification.

🌿 For Eye Inflammation

Wash fresh culantro leaves in saline, air-dry until slightly wilted, boil them, and use the steam to bathe the eyes gently.

🌿 For Kidney Stones (Folk Use)

Combine 30 g culantro root with 16 g Plantago major (plantain) and 16 g Desmodium styracifolium (coin-leaf herb). Simmer and drink once daily to support urinary health.
Note: Seek medical advice before using any herbal preparation for kidney conditions.

🌿 For Nighttime Bed-Wetting in Children

Dry and chop 20 g each of culantro, pennywort, and Eleusine indica (goosegrass), plus 10 g Euphorbia hirta. Boil and drink as tea for 5–10 days per cycle.

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How to Grow Culantro at Home

Culantro thrives in warm, humid climates and prefers partial shade—too much sunlight can make the leaves tough.

• Soil: Loose, rich, and well-drained with organic compost.

• Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

• Harvest: Cut mature leaves from the outer edges; regular pruning encourages new growth.
  With care, a single pot of culantro can supply your kitchen — and your herbal remedies — all year long.

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The Takeaway

Growing culantro is like keeping a small “green medicine cabinet” at home.
Rich in vitamins, minerals, and essential oils, this humble herb supports digestion, oral hygiene, and immune health.
However, always remember:

• Herbal remedies are complements, not substitutes for prescribed medication.

• If you have chronic illness, allergies, or take other drugs, consult a doctor before using culantro medicinally.

As the World Health Organization’s Traditional Medicine Strategy (2023) emphasizes: “Evidence-based use of traditional herbs can enhance wellbeing, provided that safety and quality are ensured.”