Parsley

Looking back through history, the herb parsley has been used for cooking as well as for medicinal purposes.

It has also been used for a bit more as well, the early Greeks used to use Parsley to make crowns for their Olympian winners.

In Hebrew tradition they used Parsley as part of their Passover as a symbol of spring and rebirth. Parsley can be traced all the way back to Hippocrates who used it for medicinal purposes for different cures and as an antidote for poisons.

When looking at herbs, traditions have changed, varieties have got bigger, but even through all that, Parsley has just remained Parsley, curly or flat leafed, no change at all really.

Being quite versatile Parsley can be used as a herb or as a garnish, it does not matter people still seem to love it.

Very often used fresh or dried, fresh is more popular and has very easy access when purchasing it or growing it. Storing it can be simple, just wrap it in a damp paper towel and place it in a bag or tub and store it in the fridge.

It can be used for all kinds of sauces and salads, and can pretty much be added to anything,it is even used often to color pestos.

In earlier times, many ailments that were thought to be caused by a lack of Vitamin C was treated with Parsley, such as for bad gums and loose teeth, even for brightening what were considered dim eyes.

The Greeks once had a partial fear of Parsley because it was associated with Archemorus, who was an ancient Greek. Ancient tales were told that Archemorus when just a baby was left on a parsley leaf by his nurse and was eaten by a serpent. For this reason the Greeks were scared of Parsley, it sounds kind of silly now but it took a while for them to get over that.

Parsley has also been used to regulate menstrual cycles because parsley contains apiol which mimics estrogen, the female sex hormone. Another use has been to ward off Malaria and is said to have been very successful in doing so along with aiding with water retention as well.

A lot of these are old wives tales as some might call them, but if you consider them for just a moment they can make some sense.

There are a few of these old remedies still being used in part today, such as the use of Parsley for kidney stones, as a diuretic, for rheumatoid arthritis, as a stimulant, for menstrual regulation, to settle the stomach, and as an appetite stimulant.

Parsley juice can be purchased at some herbal stores and it can be very healthy for you.

Although bear in mind it might not have the greatest taste, so it might be wise to be mixed with other juices to enhance the flavor.