You say cilantro, I say coriander. Although it has two names, cilantro is a single plant, sometimes called Chinese parsley. Its leaves are known as cilantro; the seeds are called coriander. The pack the same medicinal benefits: both ease indigestion and prevent wound infection.

Coriander has a long history as a digestive aid. In Egypt, the seeds have been found in pharaohs' tombs, presumably to prevent indigestion in the afterlife. While no one has been able to attest to its post-mortem healing properties, recent studies have supported its use as a stomach soother for both adults and colicky babies.

What' s more, it has wound healing benefits, which were first discovered by the ancient Romans, who used both the leaves and seeds to preserve meats. The herb contains an antioxidant that helps prevent animal fats from turning rancid. It also contains substances that kill meat-spoiling bacteria and fungi. These same substances in cilantro also prevent infection in wounds.

To make a medicinal tea, use 1 teaspoon of dried leaves or crushed seeds ( or ½ teaspoon of powdered seeds) per cup of boiling water. Steep for 5 minutes. Drink up to three cups a day before or after meals. Both forms of the herb can:

• Improve digestion: The herb has been shown to improve tummy troubles of all kinds, from indigestion to flatulence to diarrhea. "Both cilantro and coriander have been shown to settle the stomach, " says James A. Duke, Ph.D., a botanist retire from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and author of The CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Drink a cup of the tea when stomach discomfort strikes.
• Relieve colic: Weak coriander tea may be give children under age 2 for colic. It's safe for infants and may relieve their pain-and help you get some much-needed sleep.
• Prevent infection: Cilantro and coriander contain substances that kill certain bacteria and fungi, thereby preventing infections from developing in wounds. Sprinkle some dried coriander seeds or leaves on minor cuts and scrapes after thoroughly washing the injured area with soap and water.
• Soothe arthritis pain: Intriguing new studies suggest that cilantro and coriander have anti-inflammatory effects. Since the pain of arthritis is cause by inflammation, a cup of this tea may help you.

"I've never heard of any problems with cilantro or coriander," says Daniel B. Mowrey, Ph.D., director of the American Phytotherapy Research Laboratory in Salt Lake City and author of The Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine. If there's a sticking point, it's that some people just don't like the flavor, which is reminiscent of curry.

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