Parsley is one of the oldest and most versatile
herbs. It is certainly at home in the kitchen, but it is also valued
for its medicinal, cosmetic and domestic properties.
Parsley was one of the first plants used in wreath
making. Chaplets of it were worn at Roman and Greek banquets to
absorb the fumes of wine and thereby protect the diners from drunkenness
so they could prolong their drinking enjoyment. They also used parsley
as a breath-freshener.
Parsley contains significant amounts of vitamins
A, B and C, plus iron, calcium, magnesium and chlorophyll. Leaves
and seeds are used to relieve cramps, alleviate flatulence and act
as a diuretic.
Curly parsley is a hardy biennial usually cultivated
as an annual. Its bright green, tightly curled leaves make an excellent
border and potherb for the culinary garden.
'Neapolitanum', Italian parsley, also is a hardy
biennial cultivated as an annual. Large, smooth leaves are similar
to those of a fern. It may be cut in quantity for salad greens or
cooked as a vegetable.
Planting & Care.
If soil temperatures are cool, parsley is one of
the slowest herbs to germinate. Start from container plants, available
at nurseries. If you do start from seed, soaking them in water one
day before planting can improve germination. For ideal growth, plant
in deep, moist, fertile soil in full sun to partial shade. Thin
seedlings to 12 inches apart. If growing parsley in containers,
plant in at least a 6-inch pot to provide enough root space.
Harvesting and Use.
Parsley tea works well as a skin toner, reducing
oiliness and enhancing complexions. It is also said to prevent thread
veins and remove freckles. Apply the tea with a cottonball where
desired. For an effective facial mask, extract parsley's elements
with boiling water, cool, thicken with egg white or egg yolk and
apply to skin.
Parsley is considered by some herbalists to be a
desirable companion plant to roses, increasing vigor and flower
fragrance.
In cooking, parsley is the party girl of the herb
family — it brings dishes to the table in fancy dress. Use
this mild-flavored herb fresh as often as possible as an ingredient
in and garnish for sauces, salads, vegetables, potatoes, egg dishes,
soups and casseroles. To increase parsley's potency in dishes, use
it generously and include the stems — they are more strongly
flavored.
FYI
Parsley
Trivia
Eat
Parsley seeds daily to increase your fertility and virility.
Include sprigs of parsley in
a funeral wreath for a loved one.
Chew parsley seeds to counteract the
effects of too much alcohol.
Beware: any woman who sows parsley,
other than the mistress of the house, will become pregnant!
Read our Archived Herb Articles
Coriander, Cilantro,Coriandrum sativum Coriander, Cilantro was our herb of the month in September 2007. CLICK HERE
Lemon Balm,Melissa officinalis Lemon Balm was our herb of the month in August 2007. CLICK HERE
Basil, Ocimum basilicum Basil was our herb of the month in July 2007. CLICK HERE
Epazote,(Chenopodium amborsiodes)
Epazote was our herb of the month in June 2007. CLICK HERE
Sage,(Salvia species)
Sage was our herb of the month in May 2007. CLICK HERE
Lavender Lavender was our herb of the month in April 2007. CLICK HERE
Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis
Our herb of the month in March 2007. CLICK
HERE
Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis
Our herb of the month in February 2007. CLICK
HERE
Tarragon, Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa
Our herb of the month in January 2007. CLICK
HERE
Ginger, Zingiber officinale
Our herb of the month in November 2006. CLICK
HERE
Chamomile, Roman or German Chamaemelum nobile or Matricaria recutita
Our herb of the month in October 2006. CLICK
HERE
Nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus
Our herb of the month in September 2006. CLICK
HERE
Horsetail, Equisetum arvense
Our herb of the month in August 2006. CLICK
HERE
Cayenne,Capsicum frutescens
Our herb of the month in June 2006. CLICK
HERE
Lemon Verbena, Lippia citriodoro
Our herb of the month in May 2006 . CLICK
HERE
Scented
Geranium,(Pelargonium
species)
Our herb of the month in April 2006 and Herb of the Year 2006 . CLICK
HERE
Mexican Mint Marigold, (Tagetes Lucida)
Our herb of the month in March 2006. CLICK
HERE
Rose, Rosa Species Revisit Rose, our herb of the month in February 2005.CLICK
HERE
Sweet Bay, (Grecian Laurel)
Laurus nobilis
Our herb of the month in January 2006. CLICK
HERE
Herbs of the Bible
Our herb of the month in Decembers 2005. CLICK
HERE
Sage, (Salvia species)
Sage was our herb of the month in November 2005. CLICK
HERE
Lemongrass, (Cymbopogon citratus)Tender perennial Lemongrass was our herb of the month in October 2005. CLICK
HERE
Dandelion, Taraxacum
officinale Dandelion was our herb of the month in September 2005. CLICK
HERE
Borage, Borago officinalis Borage was our herb of the month in August 2005. CLICK
HERE
Basil,Ocimum basilicum Basil was our herb of the month in July 2005. CLICK HERE
Scented Geranium,
Pelargonium
species Parsley was our herb of the month in May/June 2005. CLICK
HERE
Parsley, Petroselinum
sativum Parsley was our herb of the month in March/April
2005. CLICK
HERE
Rose, Rosa Species Rose was our herb of the month in February 2005. CLICK
HERE
Arugula, Roquette, Eruca vesiceria sub, sativa Arugula was our herb of the month in January 2005.
CLICK
HERE
Calendula, Pot Marigold, Calendula officinalis Calendula was our herb of the month in December 2004.
CLICK
HERE
Winter Savory, Satureja
Montana Winter Savory was our herb of the month in November
2004. CLICK
HERE
Coriander, Cilantro, Coriandrum sativum Echinacea was our herb of the month in October 2004.
CLICK
HERE
Echinacea (Purple Coneflower) Echinacea was our herb of the month in September
2004. CLICK
HERE
Lemon Verbena Mint was our herb of the month in August 2004. CLICK HERE
Mint Mint was our herb of the month in July 2004. CLICK HERE
Hoja Santum Hoja Santum was our herb of the month in June 2004. CLICK
HERE
Lavender Lavender was our herb of the month in May 2004. CLICK HERE
Thyme Thyme was our herb of the month in April 2004. CLICK HERE
Oregano Oregano was our herb of the month in October 2003.
CLICK
HERE
Peppermint Ideas Peppermint was our herb of the month in August 2003.
Our readers sent in these ideas on how they use peppermint. CLICK HERE
