Parsley

Different Names of Parsley: Persil, Petroselinum, Jaafari, Petersilie

Useful Parts of the Plant: Roots, leaves, fruits

Parsley is native to the South European countries and became popular only in the middle ages. There are two main types of parsley herb that are available which are the flat leaf variety and the curly leaf variety. Parsley grows well in soil that is a little moist and requires full sunlight. The best temperature in which it grows well is between 22-30oC. The plant is also known to attract different insects such as butterflies and bees towards it.

Nutritional Information and Properties:

With regards to the nutritional properties of parsley, it is known to rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamins B and A as well as iron, potassium, calcium and manganese.

Health Benefits and Therapeutic Uses:

One of the health benefits of parsley because of its diuretic properties is that it is used as natural treatment for the removal of urinary and kidney stones as well as to provide relief from painful urination.

The vitamin A in parsley is known to be helpful in maintaining good vision as well as minimizing the risk of diabetes and arteriosclerosis.

The medicinal benefits of parsley also include it being to control the levels of blood cholesterol as it is rich in anti oxidants. Thus parsley is also known to be very effective in maintaining good blood pressure and promoting good health of the heart.

Another one of the health benefits of parsley is on account of the presence of the essential oil Eugenol which is used in dentistry as an anti-septic agent and an anesthetic for gums and teeth

The medicinal uses of parsley are also on account of the presence of various minerals in this herb such as potassium which is an important component that is required to counter the effects of sodium and thereby control the blood pressure levels and the heart rate. Similarly the iron present in parsley helps in the production of red blood cells.

Health benefits of parsley also include it being very effective in preventing age related macular degeneration of the retina which is a common problem among the elderly. This is mostly because of the ultra-violet light filtering and antioxidant properties of parsley.

Parsley is also known to be effective in promoting weight loss as it promotes the metabolism of fat, proteins and carbohydrates.

Additionally, as one of the natural parsley remedies, the vitamin K present in parsley is known to promote good bone health and also tends to minimize the neuronal damage caused to the brain among those suffering from Alzheimer’s.

Parsley is also used as a natural treatment for medical issues such as inflammation and congestion of the bladder and the kidneys or even the presence of stones and gravel in the kidneys. The leaves and the roots of the parley herb are known to be very beneficial for the maintenance of good health of the spleen and the liver.

One of the parsley remedies for unmanageable and stiff fingers is to prepare some parsley tea and then consume it once cooled.

Another one of the uses of parsley is that it is used as a natural treatment for bad breath which may even be on account of chewing tobacco. In this home remedy the parsley should be dipped in some cooking vinegar and then chewed on slowly.

Precautions/ Side effects/ Warnings:

One the other hand there are certain side effects of parsley because of which it should not be given to pregnant women as it may result in muscle contractions of the uterus as well as uterine bleeding. Similarly people who have undiagnosed or untreated kidney problems should not consume large quantities of parsley as it may result in bleeding.. One should also not consume essential parsley oil in isolation as it is known to be toxic and may result in nosebleeds, bloody stools and kidney shutdown.