Benefits, Uses & Side Effects of Parsley

Parsley or garden parsley is also known as Petroselinum crispum scientifically. It is native to the central and eastern Mediterranean region.

Most people use parsley as an herb while some may even use it as a vegetable. 

Parley has been used as an ingredient for garnishing in many countries of Europe and Asia. Its medicinal properties make it not only safe for consumption but beneficial for our health too.

Its medicinal uses vary from the kidney to menstrual treatments, making it a very versatile herb for consumption. Topical applications of parsley have equally huge benefits.

Constituents and Properties of Ginger:

Parsley is rich in antioxidants and antibacterial properties. These can be extracted from its plant extract. Apart from these, parsley contains two unique properties.

• The first type is volatile oil components

including myristicin, limonene, eugenol, and alpha-thujene.

• The second type is flavonoids

including apiin, apigenin, crisoeriol, and luteolin. (Stated by ‘WHF’)

Health Benefits of Parsley:

• Rich Source of Antioxidants

The volatile oil components and flavonoids of Parsley are compounds that prevent our bodies from damage caused by free radicals.

These antioxidants from Parsley have abilities of strengthening our body’s natural defense system. Parsley’s main antioxidants include flavonoids, carotenoids and Vitamin C.

The flavonoids are said to reduce the risk of heart diseases, colon cancer and diabetes problems. Beta carotene and lutein in parsley can prevent lung cancer.

Vitamin C in parsley enhances the immune system and helps fight worse chronic diseases. Daily consumption of dried parsley may help increase its benefits as conducted in a study conducted in 2014 (NCBI).

• Power-packed with Nutrients

Parsley or dried parsley offers more nutrients than any other herb. About 100 gram of parsley contains the following nutrients.

Protein, Carbs, Fibre, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Folate, and Vitamin A. (Food Data Central)

This is a low calorie herb for people who require vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.

• An Anti-cancer Herb

The most common cause of cancer is oxidative stress. It is caused by an imbalance in antioxidants and free radicals that may develop a chronic disease leading to cancer.

The flavonoids and other antioxidants in parsley certainly reduce oxidative stress, thus reducing risk of cancer.

Furthermore, the Vitamin C content in parsley is said to be great in reducing risk of cancer up to 7% and DNA mutations too.

• Cardioprotective

Vitamin B folate, dietary folate and other minerals in Parsley have shown to reduce heart health risks. Coronary health is defined by dietary folate intake.

Dietary folate in Parsley can prevent the damage to your nerves and veins.

It also helps preventing conditions that may lead to heart diseases. For instance, having lower homocysteine levels may negatively affect heart health.

Hence, Parsley’s compounds are great as they provide an adequate amount of homocysteine.

• Antibacterial

Parsley extract is said to fight bacteria and heal the affected skin almost immediately.

In a study conducted recently, parsley extract was shown to have antibacteria activity against yeasts, molds, a common, infection-causing bacteria known as S. aureus.

Consumption of parsley can kill the bacteria in the stomach that may cause food posioning such as Listeria and Salmonella.

• Protects your Kidney

Kidney problems are very common, especially kidney stones. Kidney stones occur because of mineral depositions that may make it difficult or painful to urinate.

Consuming parsley breaks down the kidney stone as it reduces urinary calcium and protein secretion.

A study concluded that parsley behaves as an antiurolithiatic drug as it decreases urinary calcium excretion, increasing urinary pH, dieresis, decreasing urinary protein excretion and its nephroprtective activity.

It is recommended to use it in pharmaceutical forms as it is safe and effective as antiurolithiasis remedy.

• Anti-inflammatory

Parsley can have an anti-inflammatory effect because it’s high in antioxidants like vitamin C, A, and E, which are great remedies for inflammation.

Dried parsley consumption can help reduce the risk of arthritis and osteoarthritis. Other inflammatory diseases, swelling, sores and nervous damage can be treated using this anti-inflammatory herb.

• Collagen-Generating Herb

The collagen generating vitamin is present in Parsley: The mighty Vitamin C. Including parsley in your diet helps you get rid of fine lines, wrinkles and dry and patchy skin.

Parsley is hence recommended to be inculcated in your diet if you’re ageing faster than before; your body needs collagen to hold the skin firmly.

• Protects your Bones

“Ten sprigs of parsley is enough to reach your daily dose of vitamin K,” says Capriglione.

It helps protect the bones from being brittled and fractured every now and then.

• Boosts Digestion

This herb has a soothing effect on your digestive system. Parsley leaves have compounds that contain anti-bloating properties.

This can relieve you from gas and bloating. It also speeds up the digestion.

• Improves Oral Health

“Parsley acts as a natural breath freshener, especially after consuming garlic or onion,” says Capriglione.

Further research states how chewing parsley leaves can refresh your gums and prevent growth and multiplication of germs and bacteria.

Parsley is also used in mouth washes to remove the plaque buid up.

• A Dieuretic Herb

Parsley contains dieuretic properties that can treat edema, also known as fluid retention. This is the best benefit of parsley as most people need detoxification.

Not removing the excess fluid from the body can cause serious digestive issues.

Dieuretic herbs are also prescribed to treat high blood pressure. This therapeutic herb is put in use in many medicines to treat edema and high blood pressure.

• Prevents Nausea & Vomiting

The carminative properties of parsley oil can relieve and treat indigestion, nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting. It reduces stomach aches too.

Parsley’s essential oil is used in many medicines since it has chemoprotective properties.

So the nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy (a cancer-treating therapy) can be treated with dried parsley, parsley medicines or parsley essential oil.

Side Effects of Ginger:

Parsley is “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) as a food by the U.S.

Food and Drug Administration. Adverse reactions are primarily allergic, including cross reactions to other members of the Apiaceae family, such as carrot, celery, and fennel.

Although Parsley is extremely safe for consumption, consuming any parsley supplement without doctor’s recommendation or prescription should be avoided.

According to WebMD, the following are some minor side-effects of Parsley.

• Diabetes: It might lower blood-sugar levels.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding mothers: It is linked to abortion only when eaten in large quantities.
• Bleeding disorders: It may clot the blood.
• Kidney Disease: It might worsen your condition if you have a kidney disease.
• Edema: It may help the body hold onto more salt than usual.

Conclusion:

Parsley is extremely safe and effective when eaten and used in a limited amount.

It is a tasty herb with many medicinal properties.