Cilantro Allergies

Cilantro comes from the leaves of the coriander plant and is often compared to parsley, sometimes it is even called Chinese parsley. Cilantro is native to Asia and Africa although it has been cultivated in

North America for many years. The herb is used in mainly Asian and tex-mex cooking or as a garnish. Cilantro when used as a herbal seasoning can be finely chopped making it hard for people with cilantro allergies to spot when mixed into a salad. It is also used in combination with several other herbs so it can also be difficult to detect which herb is causing your allergy symptoms.

Cilantro Allergy Symptoms

Vomiting

Tingling in mouth

Itching

Hives or skin rash

Upset stomach

Anaphylactic shock is rare

Tightness in throat or swelling

Allergy symptoms from cilantro usually occur in a matter of minutes after eating it, although rarely stomach and digestion problems can happen hours after consuming it.

If you have cilantro allergies dining out can be very difficult. Most restaurants will not list cilantro as a ingredient on their menu and its almost impossible to guess what dishes it will be used in. The best thing to do is ask your waiter or waitress to let the chef know you have a cilantro allergy.

Though the allergy is not as common as peanut and other food allergies they are growing. Whether this is do to the fact that more people are becoming allergic or because cilantro is being used in more and more dishes. If you think you may have a cilantro allergy the best thing you can do is see a doctor and get tested.