Coriander (Cilantro) Benefits the Stomach According to Daoist Tradition

Coriander, traditionally believed to have been brought back by Zhang Qian from his mission to the Western Regions, is also known as Hu Sui; due to its distinctive fragrance, it is widely called coriander. Coriander is delicious and edible, one of the "Five Strong-Smelling Foods" in Daoism, and commonly used as a seasoning in home cooking. Coriander is pungent and warm in nature, entering the spleen, stomach, and lung meridians. It has functions including aiding digestion, relieving gas, inducing sweat, resolving exterior conditions, promoting eruption of rashes, awakening the spleen, regulating qi, and stimulating vitality. Clinically, it assists in treating spleen-stomach disharmony, poor appetite, nausea, and common colds. In summer, the body loses substantial energy, requiring enhanced spleen function to continuously absorb nutrients and maintain health. At the same time, excessive consumption of cold drinks and fruits can damage the spleen and stomach, causing many people to suffer from "summer discomfort"—manifested as loss of appetite and fatigue. Strengthening the spleen and boosting qi often effectively stimulates appetite and revitalizes spirits. Thus, eating coriander regularly in summer can enhance digestion and awaken the spleen.
Coriander Salad: 150 grams of fresh coriander, 15 grams of ginger, 2 red chilies. Wash and drain all ingredients. Slice ginger and chilies, soak in warm water for 30 minutes, drain, place in a bowl, add salt and sesame oil, mix well. This dish opens the appetite, awakens the spleen, harmonizes the middle energizer, and regulates qi—ideal for poor appetite, indigestion, and spleen-stomach disharmony.
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Coriander Noodles: 100 grams of fresh coriander, 500 grams of fresh noodles, 1 red chili. Wash coriander and slice chili. Boil 1500 ml of chicken or beef broth, add noodles, cook until 8–9 parts done, then add coriander, chili, and a pinch of salt. Cook until coriander is infused with flavor, then serve. This noodle dish opens the appetite, harmonizes the middle energizer, and enhances appetite—suitable for abdominal distension, poor appetite, and fatigue.
Coriander Pork Liver Soup: 100 grams of fresh coriander, 250 grams of fresh pork liver,适量 ginger. Wash coriander, slice pork liver, mince ginger. Heat oil, add 500 ml water, boil, add pork liver and ginger. When liver is nearly cooked, add coriander and salt. This soup nourishes the liver and stomach, promotes appetite—suitable for belching, acid reflux, poor appetite, and dizziness caused by spleen-stomach disharmony.
Bean-Coriander Soup: 10 grams of yellow beans, 30 grams of coriander. Soak and wash yellow beans, add water and boil for 15 minutes, then add coriander and continue boiling for another 15 minutes. This soup disperses wind-cold, resolves exterior conditions, strengthens the spleen, and nourishes the stomach—helpful for preventing and assisting in treating influenza.
Coriander Rice Porridge: 10 grams of coriander, 5 grams of maltose, 50 grams of rice. Wash coriander, chop finely or cut into small pieces, place in a bowl with maltose. Wash rice, add 2 bowls of water, cook into porridge, filter out the broth, pour into the coriander-maltose bowl, cover, steam over water until maltose dissolves. This porridge dispels wind-cold and detoxifies—ideal for children with cold-induced common cold.
Additionally, dysentery patients can grind coriander seeds into fine powder, mix with red sugar water, take on an empty stomach, 10 grams per dose, 2–3 times daily.
Note: Coriander is warm in nature. Those with bad breath, body odor, or gastric ulcers should avoid it.