If you’re lucky enough to have culantro (Eryngium foetidum) growing in your garden, you’re nurturing more than just an herb—you’re cultivating a powerful gift of nature. Often overshadowed by its more familiar cousin, cilantro, this bold tropical plant offers far more than just a burst of flavor.

With a rich aroma, robust taste, and a wide range of traditional uses, culantro deserves more attention. From adding depth to your cooking to offering natural remedies, this herb is a must-have for gardeners and home cooks alike.

What Exactly Is Culantro?

Culantro, also known by names like “long coriander,” “sawtooth herb,” or “ngò gai” in Vietnamese, is a leafy tropical herb popular in Latin American, Caribbean, and Southeast Asian cuisines. Unlike cilantro, which has delicate leaves, culantro features long, serrated, dark green foliage.

Its flavor is deeper and more pungent than cilantro, which makes it a perfect ingredient for robust dishes like stews, soups, curries, and marinades. Its ability to withstand cooking heat also gives it an edge in recipes that require long simmering.

Nutritional Powerhouse in Leafy Form

Culantro isn’t just a culinary treat—it’s a nutrient-dense herb that contributes to overall health. It’s packed with essential vitamins like A, C, and K, all of which support vital functions in the body, including vision, skin repair, immunity, and blood clotting.

The herb is also rich in minerals such as iron, calcium, and phosphorus, helping maintain bone strength and muscle function. By simply adding a handful of culantro to your diet, you could be giving your body a valuable nutritional boost.

Culantro and Digestive Health Support

For generations, culantro has been valued in folk medicine for its digestive benefits. People have long used it to ease stomach discomfort, reduce bloating, and manage indigestion in a natural and gentle way.

Its carminative properties help calm the digestive tract, making it a great go-to remedy after heavy meals or when dealing with mild food intolerances. Incorporating culantro into your regular meals may help promote better digestion and gut health.

Anti-Inflammatory Benefits You Can Feel

Culantro is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These characteristics make it beneficial for people suffering from chronic inflammation, whether it’s joint pain, arthritis, or muscle soreness.

Its phytochemicals help neutralize free radicals in the body, which may reduce oxidative stress and cellular damage. Whether you’re active or aging, culantro could be a simple, natural way to manage inflammation.

Traditional Respiratory Remedy

One of the lesser-known but highly valued uses of culantro is for respiratory health. In traditional medicine, the herb has been used to treat asthma, colds, and congestion thanks to its antimicrobial and expectorant properties.

Culantro tea or infused oils have been used to open airways, ease coughs, and fight off infection. While not a replacement for medical treatment, it can be a useful home remedy for seasonal colds or mild respiratory issues.

Natural Detoxification with Culantro

Supporting the liver and flushing toxins from the body are two more ways culantro earns its title as a “natural healer.” In herbal medicine, it’s often included in detox teas and tinctures to help the body eliminate waste and impurities.

Its natural diuretic effects encourage urination, which helps with detoxification and maintaining fluid balance. Regularly consuming culantro-infused teas or adding it to your food can be a gentle yet effective way to support your body’s cleansing processes.

Culinary Uses of Culantro in the Kitchen

Culantro’s strong flavor can elevate a wide range of dishes. Unlike cilantro, which loses its essence under heat, culantro stands up well during cooking, making it excellent for longer-cooked meals.

You can chop fresh culantro leaves and toss them into soups, stews, or rice dishes. It also works wonderfully as a base for spice rubs, salsas, and sauces. Its deep aroma adds complexity to marinades for meat and seafood.

Medicinal Uses Beyond the Plate

Culantro is more than just a food ingredient—it can be used topically and in herbal remedies. For example, making a tea by steeping the fresh leaves in hot water is a popular way to relieve digestive issues and boost immune health.

Another traditional use is making a poultice by mashing the leaves and applying them directly to insect bites, minor wounds, or rashes. This may reduce swelling and promote healing, thanks to the herb’s anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

Tips for Growing Culantro at Home

Culantro is surprisingly easy to grow and care for, making it perfect for both beginner gardeners and seasoned green thumbs. It prefers a tropical or subtropical climate, but with the right care, it can grow in pots almost anywhere.

For best results, grow culantro in partial shade. Too much sun can cause the plant to bolt quickly. It thrives in well-drained, rich soil and needs consistent moisture. Water it regularly but avoid waterlogging, which can harm the roots.

Harvesting and Propagation Tips

To keep your culantro plant productive, regularly harvest the outer leaves and allow the center to continue growing. This not only keeps the plant looking fresh but also encourages new leaf development.

At the end of the growing season, let a few plants go to seed. You can collect these seeds and replant them for future crops, ensuring a continuous supply year after year. This sustainable approach makes culantro an excellent addition to any edible garden.

Why Culantro Deserves a Place in Every Garden

Culantro offers more than just flavor—it’s a symbol of health, resilience, and tradition. With its wide range of benefits and uses, this underappreciated herb is truly a natural treasure. From soups to teas, from healing wounds to detoxifying the body, culantro delivers.

By growing and using culantro, you’re not only enhancing your meals but also tapping into centuries of traditional wisdom. It’s a small plant with a big impact—easy to grow, simple to use, and rich in health benefits.

Final Thoughts: Embrace Culantro’s Full Potential

Whether you’re a gardener, a home cook, or someone exploring natural wellness, culantro deserves a spot in your routine. Its medicinal legacy, strong flavor, and easy cultivation make it a practical and powerful plant for everyday life.

So go ahead—plant culantro in your garden, use it in your meals, and keep a few leaves handy for a homemade remedy. Nature has given us an herb that not only feeds the body but supports it from the inside out. 🌿