Scientific Name/Common Name: Petroselinum crispum / Parsley
Part(s) Used: herb and root
Constituents/Active Ingredients: Approximately 0.3-0.7% essential oil with the main compound being the myristicin (20%); apiole (18%); beta-phellandrene (12%); p-mentha-1,3,8-triene and other predominantly monoterpene compounds. The herb also contains flavonoids including, largely, apigenin (eg. Apiin = apigenin-7-apiosyl-glucoside) and luteolin. The herb also contains traces of furanocoumarins including bergapten.
Overview: Parsley herb is commonly used as a food and spice around the world and is listed in the British Herbal Compendium as a diuretic, carminative, and spasmolytic. Parsley root is also listed in the German Commission E Monographs as a diuretic, for treating and preventing urinary tract conditions and urinary tract gravel. Parsley is also traditionally used as an expectorant and treatment for bronchitic cough, as well as for treating bone and joint complaints. Parsley herb is a superior food medicine containing high levels of fibre, provitamin A carotenoids, vitamin C, folate, and other antioxidants. The dark green leaves and stocks are also sources of calcium and boron for bone health. Bright green parsley, as a rich source of the green plant pigment, chlorophyll, is also recommended as a powerful breath freshener.
Traditional Use/Benefits/Body Systems: Nutritive, diuretic for urinary system, carminative for digestive system, breath freshener.
Clinical Studies/Scientific Research/References: Bradley PR (ed). 1992. Parsley herb. In British Herbal Compendium. Volume 1. A Handbook of Scientific Information on Widely Used Plant Drugs. British Herbal Medicine Association, Bournemouth, Dorset, pp. 168-169. Wichtl M (ed). 1994. Petroselini radix – Parsley Root (English translation by Norman Grainger Bisset). In Herbal Drugs and Phyto-pharmaceuticals. CRC Press, Stuttgart, pp. 71-372.
Disclaimer: This information in our Herbal Encyclopedia is intended only as a general reference for educational purposes. It is not a replacement for medical advice. This content does not provide dosage information, cautions/contraindications, or possible interactions with prescription drugs. Please consult any relevant product labels for detailed information on use and with a medical practitioner for individual health advice.
