Parsely: Uses, herbal medicine, Synonyms, Effects, and Side Effects

Parsley is believed to be native to the Mediterranean regions of Europe and western Asia, and it is grown in various varieties there, as well as in North and South America, India, Japan, South Africa, and Australia. The plant is used as a spice and in herbal medicine. The drug is obtained in Germany and partly imported from Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Parsley root in herbal medicine

In herbal medicine, the roots (Petroselini radix) and leaves (Petroselini herba) and, more rarely, the fruits (Petroselini fructus) of parsley are mainly used. Since the therapeutic use of the parsley fruit is not justifiable, the following explanations only refer to the parsley root.

 

Parsley: special characteristics

Parsley is a biennial herb that grows up to 1 m tall with curly or pinnate leaves and fleshy roots. For example, the wild form of the plant has non-ruffled, smooth leaves.

The inconspicuous, green-yellowish or sometimes reddish parsley fruits are arranged in double umbels; they appear in the second year.

Properties of Parsley Root

The root, cut lengthwise once, is about 15 cm long and 2 cm thick. The cut drug consists of yellowish-white to yellowish-red root pieces with a wrinkled surface. Dark brown, shiny oil veins can be seen in the bark, seen in cross-section.

The root gives off a peculiar aromatic smell. The taste of parsley root is sweet and slightly spicy.

Parsley – application

Parsley root and herbs are used for flushing therapies in urinary tract diseases, such as inflammation and irritable bladder. Another application area is preventing and treating accumulations of small kidney stones, the so-called kidney gravel. In traditional medicine, the drug is generally used to support the excretory function of the kidneys.

Parsley leaves can be applied topically in poultices to relieve itching on skin problems.

Folk medicinal use of parsley

Parsley was already used in folk medicine as a diuretic for kidney and bladder pain and kidney gravel. Today, these application areas apply equally, but the root and the herb are also used as a gastric remedy for complaints of the gastrointestinal tract, as a menstrual stimulant and as a means to promote lactation in nursing mothers.

 

Parsley as a spice

In the food industry, the essential oil of parsley is also used to flavour sauces, meat and spice extracts.

Application in homeopathy

In homoeopathy, the fresh whole plant, collected at the beginning of the flowering period, is used to treat kidney diseases, urinary tract inflammation, irritable bladder and other urinary tract diseases.

 

ingredients of parsley

Depending on the type, the roots of the parsley contain between 0.3 and 0.7% essential oil, which is composed of various sesquiterpenes, among other things. The herb and roots contain flavonoids, terpenes, furanocoumarins, and phenylpropanes.

The plant owes its typical smell primarily to the phthalides. Since the apiol contained in the essential oil can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and miscarriages, only cultivated breeds with a deficient proportion of apiol should be used. The concentration of apiol is exceptionally high in the fruits, so therapeutic use is not recommended.

Parsley: indications for use

Parsley is used in the following cases:

• Diseases of the urinary tract
• urinary tract infection
• Repeatedly
• kidney semolina

Parsley – Dosage

Parsley root is taken as an infusion and in other preparations with low essential oil content. However, the root is only included in a tea mixture to indicate rheumatism. Due to insufficient data, no approved finished medicinal product with a fixed indication is currently available.

The right dose

Unless otherwise prescribed, the average daily dose is 6 g of the drug.

 

Parsley as a tea preparation

To make your tea from parsley, pour boiling water over 2 g of the finely chopped root (1 teaspoon corresponds to about 2 g) and pass through a tea strainer after 10-15 minutes.

As a mild diuretic, 2-3 cups of tea can be drunk throughout the day.

Contraindications

Due to its essential oil, parsley root should not be taken during pregnancy.

Taking parsley root is also contraindicated in the case of inflammatory kidney diseases and water deposits in the tissue ( oedema ) that can be traced back to an impairment of the heart or kidney function.

 

Special notes on the use of parsley

Because of the toxic effect of pure essential oil, it should not be taken alone. When eating parsley leaves in various dishes, however, the side effects mentioned are not to be expected.

Care should always be taken during flushing therapy to ensure adequate fluid intake, i.e. at least 2 litres a day, to prevent a lack of water.

Parsley root should be stored dry and protected from light.

Parsley – synonyms

German plant name: Parsely

German synonyms of the plant: Common parsley, garden parsley, garden parsley, bulbous parsley, root parsley, curly parsley, Peterling, Peterle, Peterchen, Bittersilche, bucks kraut, honeysuckle, herb, silk, standing lettuce

Latin plant name: Crispy parsley

Latin synonyms of the plant: Petroselinum crispum (MILLER) NYMAN FROM AWHILE, Petroselinum crisp, Apium latifolium Mill., Apium Petroselinum L., Apium Hortense, Apium laetum, Apium Romanum, Apium vulgare, Carum Petroselinum, Carum vulgare, Helosciadium oppositofolium, Ligusticum Levisticum, Petroselinum hortense, Petroselinum Macedonian, Petroselinum petroselinum, Petroselinum Romanum, Petroselinum sativum, Petroselinum vulgare, Selinum petroselinum, Sium oppositifolium,

German drug name: Petersilienwurzel

German synonyms of the drug: Peterleinwurzel

Latin drug name: Petroselin radix

Latin synonyms of the drug: Parsley root, Parsley root

English name: Parsley root (Droge); Common Parsley, Garden Parsley

Plant family Latin: Apiaceae

Plant family German: doldenblütler

 

Parsley – effect

The diuretic effect of parsley is mainly attributed to the phenylpropanes and flavonoids, which have kidney-irritating and stimulating properties. In higher concentrations, apiol has an astringent (contraction-promoting) effect on the uterus.

Parsley: Possible side effects

In rare cases, allergic reactions of the skin or mucous membranes can occur. Phototoxic reactions are possible, especially in very light-skinned people.

There are currently no known interactions with other agents.