Parsley leaves were used by the ancient Greeks and Romans in order to flavor and garnish foods. An ancient Greek physician by the name of Galen recommended parsley for epilepsy and water retention. Additionally, it was used as a breath freshener. This herb was well known by the Middle Ages as a healing remedy for a host of conditions. Nicholas Culpeper, a seventeenth-century herbalist, prescribed parsley for water retention, menstruation problems, kidney stones, bladder conditions, and coughs.

This herb is often recommended as a preventive herb. It is so nutritious that it increases the resistance to infections and disease. The roots and leaves of parsley are very good for all liver and spleen problems that are caused by jaundice and venereal diseases. Parsley is extremely effective in treating the kidneys, as it provides essential nutrients that help cleanse the blood filtering system. The herb helps to protect and strengthen the urinary tract. It is both mild and gentle as a diuretic. Parsley can help to reduce high blood pressure. It is said that this herb contains a substance in which cancerous cells cannot multiply. It should be noted that this herb should not be used during pregnancy. This is because it brings on labor pains and can dry up a mother’s milk after birth.

Studies that have been done on parsley have found diuretic properties. The apiol and myristicin in the seeds of the oil are believed to be the active components that are responsible for the diuretic activity. Parsley tea is often prescribed in Germany to help reduce high blood pressure. Diuretics are sometimes used to treat this condition. Additionally, this herb may be used to treat congestive heart failure when retention is a problem. However, any use of parsley should be monitored and supervised by a physician. A product that contains eighty-five percent in Russia is used to induce contractions during labor. Apiol and myristicin are also believed to stimulate uterine contractions. In vitro studies have concluded that some mild antibacterial and antifungal activity in parsley extracts.

The leaves of the parsley plant are used to provide antibacterial, antifungal, antilithic, antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, galactagogue, hepatic, lithotriptic, nervine, parasiticide, gentle purgative, and stimulant properties. The primary nutrients found in this herb are calcium, chlorophyll, cobalt, copper, iron, potassium, riboflavin, silicon, sodium, sulfur, thiamine, and vitamins A, B, and C. Primarily, parsley is extremely beneficial in dealing with blood impurities, cystitis, gallstones, jaundice, kidney inflammation, absent lactation, urine retention.

Additionally, this herb is very helpful in treating allergies, hay fever, arthritis, asthma, lower back pain, low blood pressure, breath odor, cancer, coughs, conjunctivitis, gonorrhea, gout, indigestion, liver disorders, absent menstruation, sciatic nerve problems, pituitary problems, prostate problems, rheumatism, thyroid problems, tumors, varicose veins, and venereal diseases.

For more information on the many beneficial effects provided by parsley, please feel free to consult a representative from your local health food store with questions. Remember to always choose name brand vitamins and herbs to ensure quality and purity of the product you buy for better health and wellness.

Author Bio: Look for quality parsley leaf at VitaNet ®, LLC Discount Vitamin Store. http://vitanetonline.com/

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: Parsley Leaf, Diuretic, gallstones, Reduce Water Retention, Water herbs