Be careful when bathing with coriander leaves to treat measles.

Recently, many people have claimed that coriander seeds and leaves can prevent and treat measles. "We shouldn't hastily dismiss the benefits of traditional herbal remedies, but misunderstanding their uses and not knowing how to use them can turn these seemingly harmless leaves into something harmful to health," said herbalist Dinh Cong Bay, General Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Medicinal Herbs Association.

Coriander, also known as cilantro, is a herb that, according to modern medicine, is beneficial for people with nervous exhaustion, depression, migraines, stress, and muscle pain. It helps reduce pain in rheumatism, arthritis, muscle spasms, and is also used to treat colds. Furthermore, coriander helps the body eliminate toxins. Coriander essential oil contains antioxidants and is effective in treating viral and bacterial infections of the respiratory and digestive systems, as well as urinary tract infections.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner Dinh Cong Bay, coriander has a spicy taste, warm nature, and fragrant aroma. It has the effect of promoting sweating (making the rash appear faster), reducing toxicity, and alleviating systemic poisoning (especially in children with measles); it strengthens the stomach and stimulates digestion, and is used for people with diarrhea and indigestion. Coriander seeds and leaves are used for children with early-stage measles, before the rash appears, or for those with prolonged fever but with few or no rashes – which can easily lead to dangerous complications. Coriander promotes the rapid and even appearance of measles, increases peripheral circulation, allowing the measles toxins to be expelled, and alleviates the toxic state. It can be used externally or orally.

For external use: Grind 100-120g of coriander seeds into a powder, boil with 150-200ml of water and 100ml of white wine for about 5 minutes (or crush the entire plant, including the stems and leaves, and boil for a short time). Cover tightly and let the decoction cool to a slightly warm temperature of about 37-39°C. Soak a clean cotton gauze pad with the decoction and wipe the neck, limbs, back, chest, and abdomen (in order from top to bottom: back first, then abdomen).

For oral consumption: Boil 12-15g of dried coriander seeds in 100ml of water for about 5 minutes, strain the liquid, and drink warm after meals in one or two portions. Alternatively, soak 20g of dried coriander seeds in 1/2 liter of boiling water for about 10 minutes, add a little sugar, and drink warm twice a day.

However, physician Dinh Cong Bay noted that children need to be vaccinated against measles according to the regulations of the health sector. During a measles outbreak, 4-8g of dried coriander seeds can be boiled in water and given to children to drink for 7-10 days. Treating measles in children requires good care, a proper diet, and maintaining hygiene to prevent secondary infections and complications. In particular, coriander seeds and coriander leaves should not be used when the measles rash has fully appeared, during the full-blown stage, or during the recovery period. Note that patients with measles who have stomach ulcers should only use the remedy externally; it should not be taken orally.

Traditional medicine practitioner Dinh Cong Bay emphasized that bathing in coriander water in general (including coriander seeds and leaves) is one of the methods of treating diseases by affecting the body through the nervous system, lymphatic vessels, and blood vessels under the skin. However, this bathing must be clearly indicated for each disease and individual condition. In young children, whose skin is very sensitive and has poor protection, allergic reactions are unavoidable when bathing with coriander leaves. Coriander seeds and leaves contain many essential oils, which are highly irritating to the skin. Furthermore, during bathing, scrubbing can cause skin abrasions; or if the child's skin develops rashes, abrasions, or sores, it can worsen the disease and easily lead to infection, which is dangerous. In the case of measles with respiratory complications such as pneumonia, inhaling too much essential oil from coriander seeds and leaves can accelerate disease progression and potentially lead to respiratory failure.

“Bathing with coriander leaves and seeds properly helps keep children's skin clean and healthy. But that's only one method of preventing and treating measles. The most important thing is still vaccination and avoiding contact with infected people. Before bathing with herbs, consult a doctor. Do not bathe immediately after a meal as it causes blood vessels to constrict, easily leading to insufficient blood supply to the abdominal cavity and heart, resulting in poor digestion, dizziness, and rapid heartbeat. Also, do not bathe when hungry as it can cause exhaustion and fainting. Do not bathe before bedtime, especially when feeling unwell or tired. The water temperature should not exceed 39 degrees Celsius as it can cause dizziness and lightheadedness in children due to insufficient blood supply to the heart and brain,” advises traditional medicine practitioner Dinh Cong Bay.

According to Health and Life