Herbs - Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

What Is It?

Parsley is a herb commonly known for its culinary use. Used by the Greek physician, Galen for disorders of the womb and bladder. Parsley tea was also used in the trenches of World War I for soldiers suffering kidney complications following dysentery. The root, leaves and seeds have medicinal properties in herbal medicine, but today the leaves are commonly used.

Action

Parsley contains volatile oils, apiole and myristin as well as coumarins and flavonoids, which account for its diuretic, carminative, spasmolytic and uterine tonic action. It is also a nutritive herb and is a rich source of vitamins A, C, E, Folic Acid, Bioflavanoids, Calcium, Potassium, Silicon and iron.

Uses

Our experts recommend Parsley for:

• Anaemia
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Cystitis
• Gastritis
• Headaches
• Kidney stones
• Ligament strain
• Non-specific urethritis
• Prostatitis

Other information

• Parsley is also used for:
  • Dyspepsia
  • Eliminates smell of Onions and Garlic on the breath
  • Water retention
  • Rheumatic conditions and Gout- helps eliminate uric acid
• Parsley tea is an old country remedy to help digestion, especially after large celebration meals. Use a handful of chopped Parsley to a pint of boiling water, cover and leave for ten minutes, strain, keep in the fridge and drink three glasses a day for Cystitis or fluid retention around a period.
• Parsley is available as tablets, capsules or tincture.
• Parsley can be used in tincture form for children aged above 3 years of age. Herb tincture dosage is lower than adult levels. A simple guide for children is one drop per stone of weight.

Cautions

• Generally there are no side effects from Parsley tea or Parsley herbal supplements.
• Parsley should not be used during pregnancy and is not recommended if you have a kidney disorder.
• When this article was written there were no well-known negative drug interactions with Parsley.