Hi Herbal Hiveans. Here's the another in my new series of posts covering how to use the herbs in our garden.
I got things a bit out of whack last week, I posted one herb post to my blog, not to this community, then I pressed 'publish' instead of 'schedule' for another. Things are back under control now that I've got my glasses on!
You can find the earlier posts in this series by wandering back through our blog. Once I've quite a few, I'll make an index page for them for your ease of use. This installment is about Parsley.
Common names: Parsley
Taxonomic name: Petroselenium crispum
Family: Apiaceae
Uses: Food, tonic, fluid problems, gas, Tarterous slime
Area of origin: Mediterranean
Warnings: While Parsley has uses in pregnancy, it should only be used by experts in that situation and should be avoided for general use by pregnant folks.
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is a well known kitchen herb that has useful medicinal properties. Both the flat leaved and the curled leaved varieties can be used for the same purposes. P. sativum is a synonym of P. crispum, so don’t get confused, they’re the same thing. P. crispum is otherwise called ‘Curly Parsley’ and ‘Italian’ or ‘Flat Leaf Parsley’ is a variety of P. crispum called P.crispum var neapolitanum taxonomically.
The whole of the Parsley plant can be used, root, leaf and seed. The seeds are the most potent part of the plant, being high in useful oils. The root is the next most useful, and the leaves the least, though their ease of harvesting and availability make them the most commonly used part.
Parsley’s most common use is as a remedy is for helping the bladder and kidneys. It is rich in Sodium and Potassium, elements that regulate the balance of fluids. Here Parsley excels but normalizing that balance, reducing or increasing each as needed to reach it. Parsley also contains an oil that is specifically good for the kidneys. It is suitable here too as it helps maintain the small vessels of the body, of which the kidneys are full.
It is a diuretic, helping move fluids through the urinary tract. This makes it excellent for all of the ‘-itis’ problems of the urinary tract, cystitis, nephritis etc, as well as for high blood pressure and fluid retention. Another traditional use of Parsley is for softening areas that are hard and dehydrated. It’s high Sodium level helps draw water to these areas.
According to one source, if you have a ‘crawling in your urethra’, Parsley is the remedy you need! Also…if you have a case of ‘Tarterous slime” then Parsley is for you!
Parsley is also used for easing stomach gripes and colic, it’s carminative properties help cases of gas.
I’ve read too that this herb helps maintain proper functioning of the adrenals and thyroid, but I haven’t been able to follow that up yet.
A bit of a warning again - this wonderful herb, usually relegated to kitchen duties, has a stimulating effect on the uterus, but should not be used by the inexperienced. Expert use in pregnancy only.
To make tea, simply place a teaspoonful or two of dried or fresh herb into a cup of hot water. Cover the cup while the brew steeps so that you don't lose any of those precious oils.
*Here's a bit of trivia - Tarterous Slime is the old name for the discharge from the genitals that came with a case of Syphilis in the old days!
