Cilantro, Hazardous to Your Health?
By: Shoshanna Levy
Published: June 1, 2011

The USDA found 34 unapproved pesticides on routine testing of the herb cilantro. They have no idea why the herb contained so many pesticides, and are planning to do more testing. The funny thing is, before I even read the article, I knew why. Cilantro is a powerful chelating tool. Chelation literally means claw in Latin. This claw-like action means that cilantro is effective at pulling toxic metals out of the body (chelation), but it also pulls from it's environment (soil, air). This is one herb that needs to be grown organically and in soil that has been tested for metals.

Comments:
Beth
June 1, 2011

I had no idea. That kinda scares me. I’m trying my first herb garden this year. Would it be a good idea to grow it in a pot rather than the ground? Would it be easier to control the soil in a pot?
Thank you
Beth
shoshanna levy

Yes, unless you've tested your soil for metals I would grown in a pot. And of course, grow it organically!