Parsley:
Parsley is one of the best known and most widely used herbs.
It is actually a biennial, but is usually cultivated as an annual
because the first year leaves have the best flavor. The crisp,
tight foliage of the curly parsley is the most attractive variety to
use fresh as a garnish, but the flat-leaved Italian parsley has a
superior flavor when cooked. The curly variety grows 10 to 12
inches tall and the Italian about 18 inches, although a dwarf
variety is available. In the second year, 2-foot-tall flower stalks
appear, and their blossoms ripen into seeds. Seeds collected
from second year plants and dried thoroughly will keep for two
or three years.
By the middle ages, parsley made its appearance in herbal
medicines. It has been given credit for curing a great range of
human ills, especially those having to do with the dineys and
liver.
Although we tend to think of it only as a decorative green on
our plates, parsley is a course in vitamin therapy all by itself. It
contains vitamin A, more vitamin C per volume than an orange,
several B vitamins, calcium and iron. The distinctive odor
common to all parts of the parsley plant is the work of volatile
oils, one of which, parsley camphor, has been extracted for
medicinal use. Containing two important chemicals, apiole and
myristicin, parsley has significant diuretic and mild laxative
qualities.
It can help eliminate bloating, excess water weight, can ease the pain of flatulence (gas), and colic and has a reputation for
bringing on delayed or suppressed menstruation. In one study, it has been shown to have antihistamine qualities which
may be useful in relieving allergy symptoms.
Incorporating parsley into your diet, in normal amounts, would be of benefit to your overall health. Excessive amounts of
parsley (as in infusions and tinctures) can cause negative side effects in pregnant women and may cause kidney irritation.
Modern science has confirmed many of these claims. Parsley is rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamins A and C,
and compounds that clear toxins from the body. It also reduces inflammations, contains histamine inhibitors and is a free
radical scavenger. Commercially, oil from the seeds is used to scent Oriental style perfumes and colognes. Because of the
high clorofil content, it acts as a great breath freshener. Science has even isolated a compound, apiol, which is now used
in medications to treat kidney ailments and kidney stones.
Topic Shorts
www.tripple-d.com
|
