Parsley - Uses and Benefits

Alternative Names:

Petroselinum crispum

Herb Description

Parsley is one of the best known and most widely used culinary herbs and it has been cultivated for more than 2,000 years.This herb is native to Lebanon, southern Europe and Algeria . It takes its name from the Greek word meaning "rock celery" (parsley is a relative to celery).It is actually a biennial plant, but is usually planted as an annual because the first year leaves have the best flavor. The use of curly leaf parsley is mostly favored, because it can not be confused with poison hemlock like flat leaf parsley or chervil . parsley was used medicinally prior to being consumed as a food.

Parsley is available in two types: a curly-leaf type, which has a mild taste, and a flat-leaf type, known as Italian parsley and has a more pronounced pungency than the curly-leaf variety. Parsley is one of the most widely known herbs The leaves contains vitamin C, vitamin A, iron and essential, aromatic oils in good amount. Parsley leaves and seeds are commonly used in cooking.

Uses and Benefits

Parsley used to control high blood pressure also used as an emmenagogue. It relieve from period pain and menstrual irregularity, as well as rheumatism.Due to its diruretic properties, its root play great service in gravel, stone, and jaundice.

Raw parsley clear the blood, dissolves sticky deposits in veins, maintains the elasticity of blood vessels, facilitates removal of moderately sized kidney & gallstones,good to treats deafness and ear infections, and benefits the sexual system.If there is bad breath ,chewing parsley prevents from it.

Parsley helpful in : diuretic ,removing excess water from the body,slimming ,detoxifies ,boosting kidneys ,gout and arthritis ,contracting the uterus after childbirth ,menstrual pain ,period irregularity .

Its traditional benefits are: Congestion , Culinary , Depression & Rheumatoid Arthritis

Parsley root is more generally prescribed than the seeds or leaves in herbal medicine. It is used as a treatment for flatulence, cystitis and rheumatic conditions. Parsley is also helpful as a promoter of menstruation, being works well both in stimulating a delayed period and in relieving menstrual pain.

Side Effects

People having untreated kidney or gallbladder problems may want to avoid eating parsley .Parsley may lead the risk of bleeding or potentiate the effects of warfarin therapy.It may cause some sort of internal reaction due to skin allergy.

Parsley is one of the foods that contain measurable amounts of oxalates, naturally-occurring substances found in plants, animals, and human beings. When oxalates become too concentrated in human body fluids, they can crystallize and cause health problems.

During pregnancy use of parsley seed not recommended because it may uterine bleeding and cause muscle contractions in the uterus. Some studies reported occasional allergic skin or mucous membrane reactions .

Parsley oil is toxic in nature so should not be used in isolation . Using high doses of Parsley oil or preparations rich in the oil can be poisonous .Symptoms of poisoning are increased contractions of the bladder, intestines and uterus. Other side effects include excessive weight loss, nosebleeds, kidney shutdown,bloody stools.

Dosage

Fluid Extract : 2 ml 3 times daily.

Prescribed dose :crushed herb and root 6 gm daily .

Infusion: 2 gm in 150 ml water, 3 times daily.

Drug Interactions

None known.

Medicinal Uses of Parsley

Parsley is a vitamin and mineral powerhouse, and as such should be part of every medicinal garden.  Indoors, it adds greenery and makes an attractive, edible garnish for the kitchen shelf during the winter.  Outdoors, it can be planted with other herbs or flowers, and makes a pretty, green accent.  

Parsley contains a large amount of chlorophyll, and as such is a natural breath sweetener.  Eat the leaves right off the plant to combat breath odors.  

Throughout history, Parsley Teas have been used mainly as kidney stone, bladder infection, and jaundice medications, as well as digestive aids.   The root appears to be more effective than the leaves, but leaves can also be used. Leaves can be dried, pulverized into a powder, and inserted incapsules, if desired.  See the link below for more information.  Pregnant women should avoid all but small quantities of Parsley because it can be irritating to the kidneys.  

Externally, make an Oil of Parsley leaves and roots to repel head lice, and try making an Ointment for use on swellings.  Pound the leaves into a paste and mix with a little water or tea to use on skin for easing symptoms from bug bites and stings. A little oatmeal can be added to this mixture for better consistency.   Try dipping a cloth in unsweetened tea and place over closed eyes for 10 minutes to reduce fatigue and swelling of the eyes