Familiar to many as a dinner plate garnish, parsley was commonly used by the Greeks and Romans as a digestive aid and a breath sweetener. Hippocrates, Dioscorides, and Pliny wrote about its properties for treating a range of problems.
During the Middle Ages this herb was used to guard against the plague, and more commonly, a salve made from the seeds was used to treat head lice. Parsley remained popular in Europe through the sixteenth century for a range of culinary and medicinal purposes. In addition, parsley has been used to make green dyes.
This plant’s genus name is derived from the Greek petros, meaning “rock” or “stone” and refers to its habitat of rocky soil in the Mediterranean region. Selinon is the Greek name for wild parsley. 39
Medicinal Uses
Amenorrhea, anemia, appetite stimulant, arthritis, bad breath, bladder infection, breastfeeding weaning, bruises, dandruff, digestive system support, eye problems, flatulence, gout, hair care, hay fever, indigestion, inflammation, insect bites and stings, kidney stones, mastitis, menstrual cramps, menstrual cycle problems, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), rheumatism, sciatica
Precautions and Contraindications
The herb: Excessive amounts of the seeds can be toxic; avoid during pregnancy and while nursing; those with kidney disease should avoid.
The essential oils: May irritate the skin in some.
Parts of Plant Used
Herbal remedies: Leaves, roots, and seeds
Essential oils: Seeds
Culinary purposes: Leaves and roots
Growing and Harvesting
Parsley reaches about twelve inches tall and grows in clumps or rounded mounds. Long, erect leaf stems grow from the crown of the plant. The pinnate leaves are deep green and have curly, ruffled edges. Tiny, yellow-green flowers grow in umbels on separate stalks and bloom from midsummer to autumn in the second year. The gray-brown seeds are oval, ribbed, and approximately an eighth of an inch long. The white root looks like a small carrot.
|
Type |
Zone |
Light |
Soil |
Moisture |
Height |
Spacing |
|
Biennial |
5 |
Full sun to partial shade |
Loam |
Moist |
12" |
8–10" |
Parsley does well in average garden soil but does even better when it is well composted. It is at home in a container on a porch or in the house on a sunny windowsill. It also makes a nice addition to hanging baskets. Parsley is propagated by sowing fresh seeds, however, they are very slow to germinate. This herb is a good companion to most vegetables, but it does not like being planted next to any type of mint. Although parsley is a biennial, it is best grown as an annual as it does not produce many leaves in the second year.
Leaves can be harvested after the plant has at least eight of them, and can be taken from the outer stalks throughout the season. Cut the stems about an inch above the crown of the plant. It can be pruned back to encourage a second harvest. Use a microwave or dehydrator, as parsley leaves lose their flavor and color when air dried. Freezing works well. Harvest the seeds just before they begin to fall.
How to Use the Herb
Often regarded as a decorative garnish and thrown away, this seemingly humble little herb is a nutritional powerhouse and worth working into the diet to maintain good health. It is rich in vitamins, calcium, iron, and other minerals. In addition to being a tonic for wellness, it is good for those with anemia or recovering from illness.
Parsley is also rich in zinc, and is good for men’s reproductive health. It goes well with most foods except for sweets. Parsley is part of the bouquet garni and fines herbes mixtures because it brings out the flavor of other herbs. Chopped parsley can be used to flavor cooking water for pasta or added to soups, stews, veggie dishes, fish, and poultry. When sautéing fish, add several handfuls of parsley leaves to cook along with it. For a warm-up meal on a chilly night, make a potato leek soup that’s just a little different.
Leek and Potato Soup with Parsley
4 tablespoons butter, margarine, or oil
1 pound potatoes, cubed
1 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped
or ½ cup dried parsley leaves, crumbled
3 medium sized leeks, sliced
4 cups vegetable broth
4 cups water
Salt and pepper to taste
Melt the butter, add the leeks and sauté for about 3 minutes. Add the water, vegetable broth, and potatoes. Simmer on medium heat for 45 minutes. Mash the potatoes in the pot, add the parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir well and simmer for another 15 to 20 minutes. Serve hot with warm, crusty bread.
For other culinary uses, try a parsley-infused oil for cooking or fresh parsley leaves in equal amounts with basil for pesto. Combine equal parts of parsley, rosemary, and sage in red wine vinegar to use on salads or grate fresh parsley root to sprinkle on a salad. Parsley also makes a nice herb butter. As for that decorative garnish, don’t throw it away as parsley can remove the smell of onions and garlic from the breath.
For remedies, the root is more effective than the leaves, and the seeds are stronger than the root. In addition to an essential oil, there is also an oil made from pressed parsley seeds, which is very potent and must be used in small amounts.
Parsley is good for almost any urinary tract problem. As a diuretic, it is especially useful for bladder infections because passing more urine helps remove bacteria from the system. This also makes it an aid in treating kidney stones. A decoction made from the root and used for a hot compress can be applied to the bladder or kidney area to help relieve discomfort. In addition, tea made from parsley helps cleanse the blood and rid the body of toxins. When using Flush the System Parsley Tea made with the roots, drink two to three cups a day while treating a condition. When it is made with the seeds, limit your intake to two cups a day.
Flush the System Parsley Tea
1 teaspoon dried root, chopped
or ½ teaspoon seeds, crushed
1 cup boiling water
When using the root, let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, and then let it steep for 10 minutes. When making the tea with seeds, steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain before drinking.
Parsley is also an aid for gout, arthritis, and rheumatism because it flushes waste from inflamed joints. The diuretic properties that make it effective for urinary tract issues also help alleviate premenstrual bloating and other PMS discomforts. Parsley tea can aid with amenorrhea or help stimulate a late menstrual cycle. It also relieves cramps. Drink two or three cups of tea a day or take a quarter of a teaspoon of tincture four times a day.
Parsley Leaf Tea
1–2 teaspoons dried leaves, crumbled
1 cup boiling water
Pour the water over the leaves and steep for 10 to 15 minutes.
Parsley tea helps dry up breast milk after weaning. A poultice of the leaves can be used to treat the discomfort of swollen breasts and mastitis.
The tea can also be used to stimulate the appetite and to treat indigestion and flatulence. Parsley’s anti-inflammatory properties inhibit the release of histamine, making this a good herbal tea to drink during hay fever season. Also, use the tea to make a warm compress for the eyes to relieve puffiness.
A poultice made from fresh parsley leaves is effective in relieving bee, mosquito, and wasp stings. When the poultice is used to treat bruises, the discoloration usually subsides in a couple of days. In addition, an infusion of the leaves makes a nice rinse for dark hair to make it shinier. A parsley rinse will also help treat dandruff.
How to Use the Essential Oils
The color of parsley essential oil ranges from yellow to amber. It has a woody spicy, herbaceous scent.
Parsley oil is effective in relieving pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Use it for massage to ease arthritis, rheumatism, and sciatica.
Rub the Pain Away Parsley Massage Oil
3 drops coriander essential oil
2 drops parsley essential oil
2 drops clary sage essential oil
1 tablespoon carrier oil
Mix the essential oils together and then combine with the carrier oil.
39. Jeanne D’Andrea, Ancient Herbs in the J. Paul Getty Museum Gardens (Malibu, CA: J. Paul Getty Museum, 1989), 68.