Parsley benefits contraindications Many people have asked us about parsley, its benefits, but also its contraindications and side effects. Here we will detail these, but before we ask ourselves: What is, really, parsley? Where is he native from?
Parsley is a biennial herb belonging to the genus Petroselinum of the Apiacea family, native to the Mediterranean region. It has bright green leaves that are used as an herb, spice, or vegetable, especially in Mediterranean, European, and American countries.
Parsley got its name from the Greek word petros meaning ‘stone’ as this herb is often found growing in the midst of rocks. The ancient Greeks made wreaths from leaves of parsley because they believed that using them would prevent the poisoning.
In the Iliad, the Greeks were said to feed their horses parsley to make them run faster during races or battles. However, parsley was also associated with death: the saying ‘to need parsley’ means to be terribly ill without being expected to survive, and for this reason it was not usually served on plates.
Like the Greeks, the Romans did not typically eat parsley, instead using it for other purposes, including feeding it to chariot horses and growing it around their gardens as a border. At Roman weddings, wreaths of parsley leaves are also given to newlyweds to ward off evil spirits.
It was also cultivated for its medicinal uses, as a reliever for dysmenorrhea, an antidote for poisons, and even as a treatment for baldness.
Its medicinal properties were used even before being used in the kitchen. Parsley is often used to decorate potato, rice, fish, chicken, goose, lamb, and meat dishes, as well as in stews and soups. It is also the main ingredient in Italian and English sauces, and in the popular Lebanese dish called tabbouleh.
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parsley benefits
Prevents halitosis or bad breath Nobody likes to have a conversation with a person who has bad breath. Make it a habit to integrate parsley into your food. It has antibacterial properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria that promote bad breath in the mouth. You can chew a sprig of parsley after each meal to freshen your breath. Eating parsley can help eliminate body odor and treat excessive flatulence as well.
It’s anti-cancer It contains a flavonoid called myricetin. Myricetin is also found in blueberries, black currants, and sweet potatoes. The higher the myricetin a plant contains, the more aggressive it becomes in combating skin cancer.
The bright green color of garden parsley shows that it is completely full of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll has been shown to be effective in creating a line of defense against the carcinogenic agents of heterocyclic amines that are generated when roasting meat at high temperatures. Charred meat has been linked to various types of cancer. If you like to barbecue, pair it with green vegetables to reduce the effects.
Apigenin is also found in parsley. Researchers at the University of Missouri conducted a successful study in which they used the naturally occurring chemical to shrink tumors caused by breast cancer.
Promotes bone health Vitamin K deficiency can cause bone fractures. This vitamin has the ability to alter your bone matrix. The vitamin K it also plays a crucial role in calcium absorption and urinary calcium excretion in the body. With just 10 sprigs, parsley can provide you with an adequate amount of the vitamin K your body needs.
It has the variety of vitamins and minerals that help your body build strong bones. Vitamin C also helps in this area, since collagen needs the synthesis of vitamin C. You need collagen to build support around your bones; otherwise, your bones will become brittle and vulnerable to fractures.
It is already common knowledge that vitamin C plays a vital role in preventing common illnesses like colds and flu. Parsley is also a good source of beta carotene. He beta carotene It is an antioxidant that helps protect the body from free radicals that accelerate the effects of aging.
Whitens the skin and gives a clearer complexion He glutathione It is one of the most important antioxidants. Weekly IV glutathione reserve sessions or glutathione treatments are very popular in Asia. Men and women undergo these types of treatments to achieve a “whiter” and clearer complexion. If you are young and care about your appearance, you can whiten your skin simply by integrating parsley into your meals. Myristicin in parsley activates glutathione production.
Parsley can also help reduce acne. Vitamin C inhibits inflammation, while Vitamin K speeds up skin healing and decreases redness. It can also help fade acne blemishes over time.
Promotes healthy hair Before cosmetic manufacturers created shampoos and conditioners, parsley was used as a hair tonic to disinfect the scalp, stimulate hair growth, and add shine. Parsley contains an antioxidant flavonoid called apigenin. Apigenin controls the Hair loss according to recent studies. Parsley also contains a large amount of copper which helps to preserve the color of your hair.
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Parsley contraindications and side effects in general terms
It is not recommended to apply parsley seed oil on the skin as it can cause extra sensitivity to the sun and can also cause rashes. The same applies to parsley leaf oil.
For people who are about to have surgery, stop taking parsley two weeks before the operation as it can lower blood sugar levels.
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Parsley contraindications in pregnancy and lactation
If a woman is pregnant, she should avoid taking more than 35 grams of parsley per day, since this herb contains emmenagogues, which stimulate menstrual flow and can cause abortifacient effects if taken in high doses.
Emmenagogues are taken to stimulate menstrual flow when menstruation is absent due to hormonal changes, disorders, conditions such as oligomenorrhea, or medications and contraceptives.
Large amounts of celery and parsley leaves can have uterotonic effects (induces contractions), so it is avoided during pregnancy. The ingestion of more than 10 drops a day of essential oil can cause an abortion in severe cases.
Parsley is also used as a galactofuge, which consists of reducing the amount of milk produced by lactating mothers, since its compounds inhibit the production of breast milk.
It is better to limit the intake of parsley leaves during pregnancy or lactation. Always consult your doctor and/or medical professional before making dietary changes, as well as taking herbs or supplements, as these changes may cause future health problems.
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parsley contraindications to lose weight
Parsley should not be consumed in large quantities when you are in the process of losing weight, as it could cause anemia, liver and kidney problems.
Prolonged use of natural diuretics, such as parsley, can cause dehydration and other dehydration-derived problems.
For people with kidney disease and who want to lose weight, using parsley is not recommended as it contains chemicals that can worsen the disease.
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