- Parsley is native to the Mediterranean and has reportedly been used for more than 2,000 years as an herbal remedy, seasoning, and garnish. In ancient Rome, parsley was a sacred herb of burial and was served at funeral banquets. This is thought to be the origin of the modern use of parsley as a garnish decorating plates of food. Romans wore garlands of parsley in the belief that it would excite the brain and stimulate the appetite. Later, victors of athletic contests were crowned with garlands of parsley.
- The forms of parsley most commonly used for medicinal purposes are Petroselinum crispum (curled-leaf parsley) and Petroselinum neapolitanum (Italian parsley, also known as flat-leaf parsley). Chinese parsley, also known as coriander or cilantro, is a different species, Coriandrum sativum.
- Parsley has traditionally been used as a digestive aid, breath freshener, laxative, diuretic, general-purpose tonic, abortifacient (miscarriage inducer), and a poultice applied to the skin for treatment of burns, bruises, insect bites, and itching.
- There is evidence that parsley may act as an antioxidant, diuretic, or blood sugar-lowering agent. Parsley is currently used in Turkey to treat diabetes and in Germany as a diuretic in the treatment of high blood pressure.
- Parsley is available in capsule form as an oil, root, leaf, or seed preparation. The oil is the strongest form, followed by the seeds. These two more powerful preparations should be avoided during pregnancy, because they may cause uterine contractions and induce abortion.
- Parsley is listed in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list.
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ingredients
Parsley (Petroselinum spp., Petroselinum crispum, Petroselinum neapolitanum)
Contents
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