Parsley Petroselinum crispum

Common Names

Parsley

Botanical Name

Petroselinum crispum

Family

APIACEAE or UMBELLIFERAE Carrot Family

• Medicinal Uses & Health Benefits

  Parsley is so familiar we often pass it over for more exotic plant remedies, yet this attractive staple of the herb garden is a versatile medicinal food and an absolutely must have in any well stocked kitchen. Parsley leaves and root are high in iron content and rich in vitamins A, B, C and trace minerals. Parsley adds color and aids digestionof the foods we eat and acts to prevent gas and bloating.

  Both parsley leaf and root can be used in teas as a diuretic to rid the body of excess water. This may explain its folklore reputation for helping gout and rheumatism.Parsley does inhibit the histamines that trigger allergies so may help treat sinus infection and congestion. ⁵¹ Parsley is also an emmenagogue, meaning it can help to bring on delayed menses, so don't use it in concentrated doses while pregnant. ^{Hoffman 571}
  
  
  Parsley Side Effects: The whole herb used in food rarely causes any problems. Concentrated extracts should be avoided by those with kidney inflammation Don't use parsley in medicinal doses if you are pregnant, it can stimulate the uterus.
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  How to Use: Parsley

  Herbal Remedies using : Parsley Preparation Methods & Dosage :Tea, tincture, fresh or dried herb. One of the best ways to get the medicinal "good" out of parsley is to juice the fresh leaves, but this takes a whole lot of parsley to get just a small amount of intensely, green, herbaceous liquid. Throw some bunches of parsley in when you juice carrots and apples instead of trying to juice it alone. Tea made from fresh parsley is another good way to use the whole herb. If you would like sweet breath after dinner, simply chew a fresh sprig of parsley, often handily served as a plate garnish in restaurants. Basil, dill and cilantro also contain chlorophyll, which acts as a breath freshener. Parsley leaves can be crushed and applied repeatedly to a bruise. This remedy may help speed the disappearance of black-and-blue marks.