Parsley

Parsley (Zhou Ye Ou Qin)

Botanical Name: Petroselinum crispum, P. crispum radicosum group, P. neapolitanum

There are two main varieties of parsley, French curly leaf (P. crispum/aka Argon) and Italian flat leaf (P. neapolitanum). A well-known culinary herb, it is also used medicinally to help cleanse the blood and support the health of liver and kidney functions. Parsley is an excellent digestive herb with among other attributes, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and diuretic properties.

Remember to check with your doctor before trying new medicines or herbal remedies, especially if you are taking other medication where drug interactions are possible.

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How to use Parsley and take FULL advantage of it's healing powers!

Parsley (Xiang Cai)

Find out how to safely use this powerful herb and get specific recipes you can make use of immediately. Get Eastern and Western perspectives about HOW and WHY this herb works.

Western

Western Name: Parsley

Also Known As: Argon, Curly Parsley, Flat-Leaf Parsley, Italian Parsley, French Parsley, Rock Parsley, Garden Parsley

Organs/Systems: Kidney, Liver, Digestive System, Uterus

Key Actions: Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Hepatic, Antidiabetic, Diuretic, Carminative, Aperient, Emmenagogue, Galactagogue, Anthelmintic, Antihistamine.

Medicinal Uses: Detoxification, poor appetite, cystitis, edema, gonorrhea, urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney stones, bloating, constipation, gas, promote menses, nourish blood, heart disease, reduce risk of cancer, eczema, insect bites, swollen breasts, sprains, dandruff, inflamed eyes, menstrual cramping, stimulate uterine contractions, allergies, hay fever, coughs, asthma.

Eastern

Pin Yin: Zhou Ye Ou Qin (Petroselinum crispum)

Also Known As: Ou Qin (Petroselinum sativum)

Meridians: Stomach, Kidney, Bladder

Key Actions: Tonifies Blood, Promotes Digestion, Relieves Stagnation, Regulates Qi, Relieves Dampness, Clears Toxins, Warms the Middle

Medicinal Uses: Induces measles, urinary tract infections, jaundice, food retention, bloating, seafood or meat poisoning, anemia, asthma, congestion, gout, arthritis, lower blood pressure, poor appetite, constipation, stimulate uterine contraction, menstrual cramping, rheumatism, acid reflux, stomach cramping, colic, allergies, lice, skin ulcers, bruises, insect bites.

Basic Habitat/Botany:

Parsley is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae. In its first year of growth it will form a rosette of tripinnate leaves, in the second year it grows a flowering stem with fewer leaves and umbels with yellow to yellowish-green flowers.

Parsley is native to the Mediterranean region. It has now been naturalized and is grown in many parts of the world. It grows best in moist, well-drained soils with full sun.

Parts Most Frequently Used: Leaves, Roots, Seeds

Flavors/Temps: Leaves – Pungent, Bitter, Salty, Slightly Warming. Roots – Sweet, Neutral.

Caution: Considered safe. Large doses of parsley are not recommended for pregnant women as the herb can help to stimulate uterine contractions. Parsley can also increase blood clotting so large amounts of parsley may interfere with the blood thinning effects of Warfarin (Coumadin).

Key Constituents: Essential oils (including Apiol and Myristicin which have antibacterial properties), Vitamin A, C, and K, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Iron, Luteolin, Apigenin, Coumarins.

History/Folklore: Popular the world over, parsley is used in many culinary dishes for its light scent and fresh taste. The herb is especially popular in French, Meditattanean, and Iranian cuisine. Parsley is high in antioxidants, vitamin A, C, and especially vitamin K as well as minerals. As a healing herb, parsley is commonly used to cleanse and strengthen liver and kidney function.

Parsley leaves and especially the roots, are considered highly nourishing to blood. Parsley can help stimulate the uterus to cause uterine contractions that can help start and regulate a delayed menses. Large doses are not recommended for pregnant women for this reason.

Traditionally parsley was popularly and effectively used as a poultice to treat inflamed eyes, eczema, insect bites, swollen breasts, and to “dry up the milk” of wet-nurses. It has a long history of being served as a garnish that can be eaten to help promote digestion.

In ancient Greece, parsley was used to tonify digestion and to aid the female reproductive system. It was associated with Persephone, the goddess of the underworld. It was revered as a symbol of oblivion and death and often used as funerals to make wreaths for graves.

In ancient Rome, parsley was considered sacred and used in religious ceremonies and at burial and funeral banquets. It is believed that it was the Romans who introduced the plant to Britain.

St. Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th century nun and herbalist, recommended parsley as a tonic for the cardiovascular system.

European folklore says that parsley was best grown by pregnant women and witches. It was said that only a witch could germinate parsley. The best crops were planted on Good Friday. In the Middle Ages it was considered bad luck in Britain to destroy a parsley plant, because it would upset the spirits of the land. However, giving a sprig of parsley within a bouquet of flowers was considered to bring good luck and health.

In early Christian traditions, parsley is associated with St. Peter. It was laid at his altar to ensure good weather for farming or a large celebration.

Used externally parsley is useful for treating skin ailments including bruising, insect bites, lice, skin ulcers, and as an antifungal.

Chinese parsley is not actually parsley, but in fact, cilantro (aka coriander). In Oriental medicine parsley as we know it, is used to tonify blood, the Kidneys, Liver, and Bladder systems.

The word “parsley” is a merger of the Old English word petersilie, and the Old French word peresil, which both derived from the Latin petroselinum, meaning “celery” and “rock or stone”. A reference to a type of parsley grown in southern Italy, that in particular resembles celery with its thick leaf stems.

The P. crispum radicosum group of parsley is grown as a root vegetable instead of for its leaves. Root parsley is common in central and eastern European cuisine where it is used in soups, stews, and even eaten raw. It looks like parsnip but has its own unique flavor. The roots have a stronger diuretic action than the leaves. The roots look like a carrot root only they are a lovely cream-color.

Parsley is used as an ingredient in some fragrances and soaps.

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Did you know?

154% RDA

Parsley contains 154% of your daily recommended amount of vitamin K, an essential vitamin that supports bone health, skin, and heart health.
Facts

Release Water

Parsley is a diuretic and can help your body detoxify and release unwanted water weight through increased urination. This can help prevent kidney stones, reduce edema, an significantly remedy urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Fun fact!

Poultice

Traditionally a poultice of parsley was effectively used externally to help treat eczema, sprains, insect bites, and even to ease swollen breasts of pregnant women.

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ATENCIÓN: Todo el material proporcionado en este sitio web es sólo con fines informativos o educativos. No es sustituto del consejo de su profesional de la salud o médico. Esté sano. Sea feliz. Siéntase completo. Sea libre.

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