* Please Note: This information is based partly on Traditional Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Description
Parsley Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) A. W. Hill.
Family: Apiaceae.
Other Names: Persil (French); Petersilie (German); prezzemolo (Italian); perejil (Spanish).
Description: Parsley is a biennial herb (up to 1 m) with a fleshy root and finely divided, compound and curly leaves in a basal rosette. Greenish yellow flowers and small dry fruits are formed on erect double umbels in the second growing season. The wild form of common parsley, as well as the cultivated Italian parsley (var. neapolitanum) have flat, non-curly leaves. Turnip-rooted parsley is a cultivar with edible roots.
Origin: Europe and western Asia. It is cultivated as a garnish, salad ingredient, spice and to a limited extent as a medicinal plant in many parts of the world.
Parts Used: Mainly the leaves (Petroselini herba) and roots (Petroselini radix), less commonly the fruits Petroselini fructus).
Therapeutic Category: Diuretic.
Uses and Properties: Parsley leaf and root are employed to treat gastrointestinal and urinary tract disorders (treatment and prophylaxis of kidney gravel). The fruits have a more powerful effect and were traditionally used for painful periods but are no longer very popular because of potential negative side effects (abortifacient). Leaves have been applied topically as emulcent and itch-relieving treatment for skin problems.
Preparation and Dosage: A daily dose of up to 6 g of the dry leaf or root is recommended. Tea made from 2 g herb in a cup of boiling water can be taken three times per day. Parsley leaf, root or fruits (or more often extracts) are commonly included in diuretic, laxative and "slimming" teas and in other diuretic preparations.
Active Ingredients: Parsley contains an essential oil (fruits: 2-6%; herb: 0.5%) which has very high levels of the phenylpropanoids apiol, myristicin or allyltetramethoxybenzol, Furthermore, biologically active flavonoids (including apiin) and traces of furanocoumarins (e.g. bergapten, oxypeucedanin, psoralen).
Pharmacological Effects: Myristin and apiol have a terminal methylene group that is chemically highly reactive. They can bond to proteins or DNA. The diuretic activity is ascribed to the irritant and stimulant effects of the phenylpropanoids and flavonoids on the kidneys. Pure apiol is abortifacient in high doses. Myristicin is the stimulant and hallucinogenic principle present in nutmeg oil (Myristica fragrans).
Status: Traditional medicine; Pharm.; Comm. E+ (root, herb).
The leaves, seeds, fruit, and root of the parsley plant are all used for medicinal purposes. The root has a sweet, bland flavor, while the leaves are a bit spicy. The lungs, stomach, bladder, and liver are the systems of the body that most benefit from this herb. Specifically, parsley has a diuretic, carminative, aperient, antispasmodic, antiseptic, expectorant, antirheumatic, and sedative effect on the body. The seeds, in particular, have an emmnenagogue property not found elsewhere in the plant. Parsley is used primarily for urinary infections and for other disorders related to the urinary tract.
Where the biochemical composition is concerned, parsley conatins a volatile oil, apiin, bergapten, isoimperatorin, mucilage in the root, and sugar. The seeds are stronger in essential oil and include apiole, myristicin, pinene and other terpenes, flavone glycosides, furanocumarm, fatty oil, petroselinic acid. Finally, the leaves are similar but weaker in the above constituents.
The leaves and root are used for urinary tract infections, with the root particularly helping to dissolve and expel stones and gravel. All parts are good for digestive weakness and bronchial and lung congestion. The seeds are particularly beneficial for rheumatic complaints.
A good diuretic formula useful for helping to dissolve and eliminate urinary stones is equal parts parsley root, gravel root, half part each marshmallow root and ginger.
User Group Forum
Share your questions and information with the ZooScape community!
Sherri Kent - May 5, 2006, 18:50
#10000374
DOES IT HELP IN HAVING A MISCARRIAGE?
ZooScape Moderator - May 11, 2006, 14:34
#10000467
Although certain herbs are beneficial during pregnancy and can prevent anemia or help with a smooth delivery, Parsley should be avoided during this time.
I would like to be able to better assist you in helping to find an herbal product that is right for you, however, I am not sure what condition you are looking to treat. If you could please write back to us and let me know more about your situation, I would be happy to help you!
Directions
Hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 tea bag for each cup into the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the pot, cover and let steep for 2-4 minutes. Pour into your cup; add milk and natural sweetener to taste.
Iced tea brewing method: (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 5 tea bags into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of freshly boiled water over the tea itself. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into the serving pitcher straining the tea bags. Add ice and top-up with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste.
Cautions
Not recommended if you are pregnant as large amounts of parsley are a uterine stimulant.
Do not use parsley if you have a kidney infection.
Additional Information
TerraVita is an exclusive line of premium-quality, natural source products that use only the finest, purest and most potent ingredients found around the world. TerraVita is hallmarked by the highest possible standards of purity, potency, stability and freshness. All of our products are prepared with the highest elements of quality control, from raw materials through the entire manufacturing process, up to and including the moment that the bottles or bags are sealed for freshness and shipped out to you. Our highest possible standards are certified by independent laboratories and backed by our personal guarantee.
TerraVita exists to meet and ensure your family's health and wellness without the harmful effects or chemicals and prescription medications. We strive to make all of our products affordable and reliable and are constantly searching the market to maintain our affordability and to look for new ways to serve you and the ones you love. TerraVita has become a trusted household name for many families and can bring you and yours the very best herbal supplements, blends, teas and spices that are on the market today.
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
