The Parsley Plant: More Than Just a Garnish

The Romans used the parsley plant, giving it to gladiators before their fights. Today, it is still more than just a seasoning plant. However, wild parsley must be taken care of since it can easily be mistaken for poison.

Parsley Plant Scientific Facts

1. Scientific synonyms: Petroselinum crispum (Miller) Nym., Apium crispum Miller, Apium Petroselinum L.
2. Other names: Common parsley, garden parsley, rock parsley.
3. French: Persil.
4. Spanish: Perejil.
5. Environment: Native to the eastern Mediterranean region, it is cultivated almost worldwide.
6. Parts of the plant used medicinally: The leaves, the fruits, and the root.

Healing Properties and Uses

The parsley plant contains apiin (the same glycoside found in celery) and flavonoids, which give it diuretic properties; an essential oil rich in apiol and myristicin, to which the plant owes its emmenagogue (promotes menstruation), vasodilator, and stimulating properties. It also contains vitamins A, C, and E (tocopherol), phosphorus, calcium, iron, and sulfur.

Parsley is a healthy seasoning plant that must never be forgotten since it contains vitamins A and C. Moreover, it is a natural remedy recommended in the following cases:

1. Edema (retention of liquids) and cellulite;
2. Coronary insufficiency;
3. Lack of urine, mild renal insufficiency;
4. Lack of appetite, anemia;
5. Recovery, physical exhaustion. In this case, parsley root is especially recommended;
6. Dysmenorrhea (irregular, scant, or painful menstruation). The fruit is mainly used for treating these ailments;
7. Apply a poultice of fresh leaves on the skin for insect bites (spiders, wasps, etc.). It calms pain and reduces any possible inflammatory reaction of the bite.

Parsley tea (made explicitly from leaves, fresh juice, and seeds) is an excellent remedy for difficult or suppressed menstruation, coughs, asthma, and dropsy. The root of the parsley plant is suitable for jaundice. It is also an excellent treatment for obstruction of the spleen and liver due to stones and difficult urination. It helps the proper functioning of the thyroid.

The plant leaves have continuously been used to remedy bladder infections, primarily when taken with equal parts marshmallow and echinacea root. However, it is a warming herb; therefore, it is best to abstain from it during inflammation and acute infections, especially of the kidneys. Parsley can also expel worms, freshen breath, and relieve gas.

Weak or sensitive people can benefit from a soup cooked with several parsley root slices. The fresh juice of the leaves (two ounces daily combined with apple juice) is a fantastic blood tonic and treatment for simple anemia. It is suitable for prostate disorders, obesity, indigestion, high blood pressure, fluid retention, and bed-wetting.

Parsley root can be used as a decoction, combined with burdock, chicory, and dandelion, making one ounce of roots per pint of water simmered for about one hour. The plant contains a substance that aids in the prevention of cancer cells. Additionally, the high chlorophyll content of the leaves makes the herb very helpful in treating cancer. The parsley seeds contain apiol, an efficient and safe emmenagogue for dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea. Combine it with black haw, buchu, and cramp bark for female issues. Fresh juice can be taken daily. Parsley juice has been used in external applications to treat blepharitis and conjunctivitis.

How to use Parsley

1. Infusion
2. Juice of the fresh plant. Take 2-3 spoonfuls before every meal.
3. Poultices with fresh mashed leaves form a paste that will be applied to the affected area.

Infusion (leaves): Steep for five to fifteen minutes and take six ounces two to three times daily. Decoction (root and seeds): Simmer for five to fifteen minutes and take six ounces two to three times daily. Tincture: Take thirty to sixty drops (1/2 to one teaspoon) two to three times a day. Fluid Extract: Take ½ to one teaspoon two to three times daily. Fresh Juice: Take two ounces two times daily. Powder: Take two to five #0 capsules (10 to 30 grains) daily.

WARNING! Pregnant women should avoid consuming high amounts of parsley since it has specific oxytocic properties (contracts the uterus), which could cause miscarriage.

DISCLAIMER: All content on this website is presented solely for educational and informational objectives. Do not rely on the information provided as a replacement for advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified medical expert. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any preexisting medical concerns, talk to your doctor before using any herbal or natural medicines.

REFERENCES

1. George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. vols. 2 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 583. Print. [parsley plant]
2. Vance Ferrell Harold M. Cherne, M.D. The Natural Remedies Encyclopedia [Book]. – Altamont, TN: Harvestime Books, 2010. – Vol. Seventh Edition: 7: pp. 172.
3. https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-parsley
4. https://www.medicinenet.com/21_impressive_health_benefits_and_uses_of_parsley/article.htm