August 01, 2019
While not everyone loves the taste of cilantro, it has been used medicinally for thousands of years. One of these uses has been to prevent seizures in people with epilepsy. While it has been known that cilantro has anticonvulsant properties, it has been unclear exactly how it helps.
Researchers from The University of California, Irving, have now discovered the mechanism. Cilantro contains a compound called dodecanal. This compound binds to potassium channels in the brain, which in turn reduces seizure activity by reducing cellular excitability.
This discovery explains the molecular basis for why cilantro helps prevent seizures and points the way for the creation of new anticonvulsant medications that contain dodecanal. Other studies have also shown this controversial herb may have other medicinal applications due to its anti-cancer, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. So perhaps, even if you loathe the taste, you may now reconsider it as a useful herb.
Source: Science Daily
Read more: http://ow.ly/H4ce50vfs3n
