Parsley is an herb, which almost everyone uses as a spice. Parsley or garden parsley is native to temperate regions of the central Mediterranean. There are many culinary and medicinal benefits of parsley. Root, leaves and seeds of this plant are used to make medicine. The oil from parsley seeds is used in cosmetics. Due to the fact that parsley has antioxidant properties, acts like disease preventer, contains vital minerals, vitamins, fiber, acids and is a dietary herb (100 g of fresh leaves contain only 36 calories) it is used in American, European and Eastern cuisines. Parsley also used as a garnish and can be used in beverages. But to be true we don’t even imagine the value of this wonderful and healing herb. A great number of parsley health benefits are simply unknown to most of us.
Here is the list of health benefits of parsley. It is effective in treating:
- kidney stones;
- high blood pressure;
- urinary tract infections;
- constipation;
- colic;
- diabetes;
- gastrointestinal disorders;
- osteoarthritis;
- anemia;
- cough;
- skin problems;
- tumors;
- edema;
- liver problems;
- menstrual disorders;
- insect bites;
- loss of appetite.
As you see parsley benefits are uncountable. Simply adding fresh or dried leaves of this plant to your favorite salads, soups, stews and even beverages will bring you a lot of use. Two common kinds of parsley are most used all over the world: curly leaf and Italian flat leaf parsley. There many parsley recipes. You can safely experiment with this spice.
Parsley is safe in food amounts even for pregnant and breast-feeding women. For adults it is safe both in food and medicinal amounts. Sometimes parsley may cause such side effects as kidney or liver problems, anemia, and allergic reactions.