The Coriander Oil kills bacteria by damaging the membrane that surrounds the bacteria cell.
Researchers at a Portuguese University have found that coriander oil can be used effectively in treating E.Coli poisoning and other food-borne infections, including those caused by salmonella organisms. Further, the oil can be used to treat infections caused by at least twelve types of organisms.
The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Beira Interior in Portugal. Coriander is more commonly known in the United States as cilantro. Coriander oil is extracted from coriander seeds. Researchers tested coriander oil, and found that it was effective in eliminating twelve strains of bacteria.
In most of these cases, they found that the coriander oil killed off the bacteria, and reduced bacterial growth in all of the cases. The coriander oil was tested and found effective against salmonella enterica, E. coli, Bacillus cereus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, more commonly known MRSA. Researchers found that a solution containing 1.6 percent of coriander was enough to achieve these results.
So how is something as innocuous as coriander effective in treating e.coli poisoning and kill off deadly bacteria? The answer lies with the effect of the coriander oil on the membrane that surrounds the bacterial cell. The study found that the coriander oil damages this membrane, disrupting the barrier that exists between the cell and the environment. As a result, essential processes that are necessary to the survival of the cell, like respiration are inhibited. Ultimately, the cell dies.
Researchers are confident enough about the results of the study to believe in the use of coriander oil in therapies to treat some of the deadliest food poisoning illnesses, including those caused by E. coli and salmonella. An estimated 6 million Americans contract foodborne illnesses every year. These kill approximately 5000 Americans each year. Damages from food poisoning run into billions of dollars, and include not just medical and hospitalization expenses of patients, but also lost hours of work. Additionally, billions of dollars worth of food have to be discarded annually because of bacterial contamination. The Portuguese researchers believe that it’s high time medical science considered the use of coriander oil in the treatment of these diseases.
They also believe that the healing powers of coriander can be utilized with great effect to prevent illnesses by including these in lotions, potions, rinses and pills.
However, Los Angeles food poisoning lawyers believe that it’s far too early to expect any clinical applications of coriander oil. The studies that have shown the effect of coriander oil in killing harmful food poisoning-causing bacteria have been conducted in a lab setting. There is little we know about how the coriander will work in the real world.
