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PARSLEY

Petroselinum crispum Mill Nym ex A W Hill

Description

It’s a herbaceous, biannual, hairless, scented plant with a fleshy creamy-white tap-root which smells very different than the rest of the plant and resembles carrots scent. There are many variations cultivated. The green stem might grow as high as 80 cm, with longitudinal grooves filled with a spongy and branched marrow. Leaves are multiple pinnated and radial with a long cylindrical petiole of up to 14 cm long. Flowers are yellow or yellowish-green, displaced in terminal compound umbels. The corolla is composed by five round and curved petals that take alternate places with five stamens of whitish anthers. Each flower has a short-lived two-celled ovary. Nectar is secreted by a yellow epigynous disk with two 1 mm long diverging styles. It blooms in spring (late May and June). The fruit is pale brown-green, small (around 3 mm), globular and oval-shaped.

It is probably original of the Eastern Mediterranean regions (east part of Europe or west side of Asia). Nowadays it is cultivated all around the world. It spontaneously grows in grassy places, on walls, rocks, hedgerows (Petrosilum means: grows amid rocks).

The ancient Greeks held parsley to be sacred, as it symbolized joy and entertainment. It was by the Middle Ages when the practice of using parsley as a garnish began. Charlemagne ordered its cultivation everywhere; that’s how it became an essential seasoning for vegetables.

Part used

Aerial parts, and sometimes, its fruits and root.

Indications

Internal use

  • Urinary infections: administered along with plenty of fluids.
  • Kidney lithiasis: prevention and treatment, along with plenty of fluids.
  • Dysmenorrhea.

External use

  • Pediculosis.
  • Contusions, scratches, chilblains and insect bites: due to its emollient, trophic and antipruritic topical actions.

Bibliography

- Bruneton, J. (2001). Farmacognosia. Fitoquímica. Plantas medicinales. 2ª Edición. Acribia, S.A. Zaragoza.

- Cañigueral, S., Vila R., Wichtl M. (1998). Plantas medicinales y drogas vegetales para infusión y tisana. OEMF International. Barcelona.

- Chevallier, A. (1997). Enciclopedia de las Plantas Medicinales. Acento. Madrid.

- Lastra, J.J., Bachiller L.I. (1997). Plantas medicinales en Asturias y la Cornisa Cantábrica. Trea. Gijón (Asturias).

- Vanaclocha B., Cañigueral S. (eds.) (2003). Fitoterapia, Vademécum de Prescripción. Masson. Barcelona.

- Berdonces i Serra, J. Ll. (2001). Gran Enciclopedia de las Plantas Medicinales. Tikal. Madrid.