Parsley Health Dictionary

Also contains apiole and myristicin (volatile oils) coumarins and flavonoids.

Action: anti-microbial, anti-spasmodic, anti-rheumatic, emmenagogue, laxative, mild brain tonic, diuretic, carminative, expectorant, gastric tonic, uterine tonic. A warming remedy for cold conditions, wasting, cachexia; avoided in fevers. Mild activator of adrenals and thyroid gland. Galen, Greek physician, advised it for disorders of womb and bladder.

Uses: Retention of excess fluid in the tissues, dropsy, bladder disorders, painful urination for those who pass water only after long intervals. Absent or painful menses. Windy colic. Inflammation of the prostate gland. PMT and menopausal hot flushes. To dispel fatigue. Mashed and unheated, leaves were once applied to the breasts of nursing mothers to arrest the flow of milk. Rich in minerals, calcium, potassium.

FAMILY: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)

SYNONYMS: P. hortense, Apium petroselinum, Carum petroselinum, common parsley, garden parsley.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A biennial or shortlived perennial herb up to 70 cms high with crinkly bright green foliage, small greenish-yellow flowers and producing small brown seeds.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to the Mediterranean region, especially Greece. It is cultivated extensively, mainly in California, Germany, France, Belgium, Hungary and parts of Asia. The principal oil-producing countries are France, Germany, Holland and Hungary.

OTHER SPECIES: There are over thirty-seven different varieties of parsley, such as the curly leaved type (P. crispum), which is used in herbal medicine.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: It is used extensively as a culinary herb, both fresh and dried. It is a very nutritious plant, high in vitamins A and C; also used to freshen the breath. The herb and seed are used medicinally, principally for kidney and bladder problems, but it has also been employed for menstrual difficulties, digestive complaints and for arthritis, rheumatism, rickets and sciatica. It is said to stimulate hair growth, and help eliminate head lice.

The root is current in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia as a specific for flatulent dyspepsia with intestinal colic.

ACTIONS: Antimicrobial, antirheumatic, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, depurative, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hypotensive, laxative, stimulant (mild), stomachic, tonic (uterine).

EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam distillation from 1. the seed, and 2. the herb. (An essential oil is occasionally extracted from the roots; an oleoresin is also produced by solvent extraction from the seeds.)

CHARACTERISTICS: 1. A yellow, amber or brownish liquid with a warm woody-spicy herbaceous odour. 2. A pale yellow or greenish liquid with a heavy, warm, spicy-sweet odour, reminiscent of the herb. It blends well with rose, neroli, cananga, tea tree, oakmoss, clary sage and spice oils.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: 1. Mainly apiol, with myristicin, tetramethoxyally benzene, pinene and volatile fatty acids. 2. Mainly myristicin (up to 85 per cent), with phellandrene, myrcene, apiol, terpinolene, menthatriene, pinene and carotel, among others.

SAFETY DATA: Both oils are moderately toxic and irritant – myristicin has been shown to have toxic properties, and apiol has been shown to have irritant properties; otherwise non sensitizing. Use in moderation. Avoid during pregnancy.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE

Circulation muscles and joints: Accumulation of toxins, arthritis, broken blood vessels, cellulitis, rheumatism, sciatica.

Digestive system: Colic, flatulence, indigestion, haemorrhoids.

Genito-urinary system: Amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, to aid labour, cystitis, urinary infection.

OTHER USES: Used in some carminative and digestive remedies, such as ‘gripe waters’. The seed oil is used in soaps, detergents, colognes, cosmetics and perfumes, especially men’s fragrances. The herb and seed oil as well as the oleoresin are used extensively in many types of food flavourings, especially meats, pickles and sauces, as well as alcoholic and soft drinks.