Parsley: health benefits and harms

Parsley is the usual greens for everyone, the most common spice in the beds of Russian gardens. Meanwhile, not everyone knows how parsley is useful, and how it can be used.

Types of Parsley

There are two main types of parsley - root and leaf. Both are close in terms of nutritional value and chemical composition. Only in the first case, parsley is grown for the roots, and in the second - for the sake of greenery.

There is also a popular variety of leaf parsley called curly. It is often used for decorative purposes, because it really looks unusual - it has dark green leaves with curved, as if corrugated edges, which form a rather large and dense rosette. The greens of this parsley do not turn yellow for a long time, retains freshness and a spicy aroma for a week after cutting. It also differs from the usual leaf variety in that it contains more mineral salts, carotene and ascorbic acid.

Separately, a hybrid of root and leaf parsley, which is called the Hamburg variety, should be mentioned. It differs in relatively larger root crops, whose spicy taste resembles both celery and parsnip at the same time.

What is the difference between parsley and cilantro

Both parsley and cilantro belong to the Umbrella family. Externally, these plants are very similar. But there are still certain differences between them.

1. Parsley leaves are larger, stiffer, have a bright green tint. They are more elongated in length, but are considered less wavy.
2. The main difference is the smell, it will help to "identify" the plant in just a few seconds. The fact is that cilantro leaves have a strong lemon-pepper aroma (decyl aldehyde contained in essential oil is responsible for it). This smell is considered by many to be too strong.
3. Cilantro seeds (better known as coriander) also have a strong odor. There is an opinion that it resembles the smell of a bug. But in fact, only unripe seeds possess this unpleasant property. If we are talking about ripe coriander, then it has a pleasant smell, which causes associations with Borodino bread.

What is more useful: cilantro or parsley

If we consider only the basic medicinal properties of these herbs, we can see that they both have useful qualities. So, in parsley, this is an anti-edematous, diuretic and anti-inflammatory effect. While cilantro has antiseptic, anthelmintic and analgesic properties.

However, parsley is considered more beneficial because it contains much more vitamins. For example, if 100 g of cilantro contains only 27 mg of vitamin C, then the same amount of parsley contains 133 mg. The same thing with vitamin K - 310 mcg and 1640 mcg, respectively.

In addition, cilantro has a specific taste and aroma. In some people, its smell causes disgust. While parsley with its milder taste and aroma is a more universal seasoning, since it does not cause any negative emotions.

Composition and calorie content

The energy value of any leafy greens is relatively small. For example, in parsley it is about 49 kcal per 100 g. But at the same time, the plant’s greenery, its seeds and root contain a huge amount of useful substances, the presence of which determines its medicinal properties.

The composition of both greenery and the root of parsley includes such beneficial substances:

1. Ascorbic acid, which is an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, it is necessary to strengthen the vascular walls.
2. Vitamin E is another powerful antioxidant necessary for metabolic processes and for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
3. Vitamin B2 (the modern name is riboflavin) - is responsible for the condition of the skin, improves vision, supports the normal functioning of the nervous system.
4. Vitamin B9, or folic acid - this substance is involved in the process of hematopoiesis, it is necessary to normalize the liver and increase cognitive abilities, folic acid is especially useful during pregnancy.
5. Vitamin PP - is involved in the production of gastric juice, is responsible for the normalization of oxidative processes.
6. Phosphorus - responsible for cognitive function and metabolism.
7. Salts of magnesium and potassium are necessary for the normalization of cardiac activity.
8. Iron - this element is involved in the processes of hematopoiesis, helps prevent anemia.

Also, parsley contains many essential oils. They have a wide spectrum of action, which allows their use in pharmacology, and in cooking, and in cosmetology.

Useful properties of parsley

General benefit

It is unlikely that a more useful plant can be found than parsley. This spicy herb:

1. It has diuretic and analgesic properties.
2. It has a carminative effect, that is, it allows you to cope with such a problem as increased gas formation.
3. Improves digestion.
4. It has a beneficial effect on blood formation in general and helps increase blood coagulation.
5. Increases immunity.
6. It has anti-inflammatory properties.
7. Helps relieve fatigue.

And this herb freshens the breath, which is very important in the presence of some diseases of the oral cavity.

The essential oils contained in parsley leaves are widely used in medicine and cosmetology. In the first case, they are used due to their antioxidants (it is proved that they have not only anti-inflammatory, but also antitumor properties). They also have an antiseptic effect, in particular, disinfect the oral cavity, therefore, they are an excellent prophylactic for stomatitis.

As for the use of parsley essential oils in cosmetology, they stimulate the activity of hair follicles, help smooth wrinkles and can even be used against cellulite.

For women

For the fair sex, parsley is especially useful. This is due to the presence of myristicin and apiol in its composition. It is thanks to these substances that the tone of the intestine, bladder and smooth muscles in the uterus increases. But the most important thing is that the mentioned compound apiol is a plant analogue of estrogen, the most important female hormone. It is thanks to this that parsley helps to normalize the menstrual cycle, make PMS manifestations less pronounced, and even completely remove pain, improve well-being during menopause.

Parsley is considered a very useful spice for the skin. It helps to get rid of age spots, which is especially important during hormonal surges, for example, during pregnancy or menopause. In addition, she cares for aging skin, helps maintain her tone.For teenagers, it is useful because acne can be treated with its juice.

And parsley helps stimulate digestion, remove toxins, and get rid of long-formed fat deposits. Some nutritionists recommend adding parsley to dishes during any diet, as its greens contain substances that suppress the feeling of hunger. Thanks to this, any restrictions are more easily perceived by the body. Not to mention the fact that the use of this green helps to fill the lack of enzymes and vitamins even with a strict mono-diet.

For men

The benefits of parsley for representatives of the strong half of humanity are to increase potency, improve the function of the prostate gland, increase blood circulation (this helps prevent inflammatory diseases and normalizes erectile function). All of its properties are due to the fact that it contains apigenin. This compound regulates hormonal balance, reducing the production of estrogen (the male body should synthesize it, but only in very small quantities) and stimulating the formation of the necessary testosterone.

Besides the fact that parsley helps to cope with many problems characteristic of the reproductive system, it is also useful in that it helps to quickly remove toxins from the body in case of alcohol intoxication.

During pregnancy

Expectant mothers are often wary of various spices, and this is understandable. It is believed that due to the content of myristicin and apiol, parsley greatly increases the tone of the uterus. However, for this to create a threat of abortion, parsley must be eaten literally in bunches. The same is true for potassium, which is considered harmful to expectant mothers. But in fact, if you use it in pregnancy in small quantities during pregnancy, then there will be no harm from parsley. On the contrary, starting from the 20–25th week of pregnancy, this greens will be the best way to prevent puffiness.

In addition, it is very important to ensure the supply of a sufficient amount of potassium to those expectant mothers who suffer from cardiovascular diseases, have pathologies of the kidneys and bladder. The fact is that potassium helps to quickly remove excess fluid and sodium from the body.

When breastfeeding

Many women are afraid during lactation to include parsley in their diet, since the substances contained in it, falling into breast milk, can cause a baby to become over-excited. In fact, this is not entirely true. To get just such an effect, you need to eat this spice in very large quantities. A moderate use will not cause any unpleasant consequences. If you just periodically add a little parsley to the finished soup or salad, then you can improve the composition of breast milk.

For kids

Among young mothers, there is an opinion that children should not give parsley, they say, it causes overexcitation. But, firstly, parsley seeds are a carminative, and tea from them, like dill water, can relieve pain with colic. Only you need to give it in a very small amount.

And secondly, parsley is very useful for children's teeth, because it contains a lot of fluoride of natural origin, and it is much more useful than its counterpart in synthetic toothpaste. Therefore, it is recommended to include such greens even in the diet of very young children, whose teeth began to be cut. Eating parsley will help make your teeth resistant to tooth decay, as well as brighten them and make them cleaner.

How to take parsley for weight loss

This greens contains many useful substances that accelerate metabolic processes. Also, it contains compounds that allow you to quickly cleanse the body of toxins. They support the liver, stimulate intestinal motility, normalize blood pressure. And present in large quantities in parsley (both in the leaves and in the roots), inulin regulates the level of glucose in the blood.

All this contributes to weight loss, but only if you use the benefits that this product provides. For example, parsley root can be used with a sufficiently strict diet to speed up getting rid of extra pounds and at the same time provide the body with all the substances it needs.

The menu of this diet may be as follows:

1. Breakfast consists only of a cup of natural coffee with 1 teaspoon of sugar, but without milk.
2. Second breakfast - 100 g of non-fat hard cheese or 200 g of cottage cheese, a cup of green tea.
3. Lunch - 100 g of boiled chicken or turkey, 1 tbsp. a spoon of parsley root crushed on a grater.
4. Snack - 1 boiled egg and 1 tbsp. spoon of parsley root.
5. Dinner - a glass of low-fat kefir.

On such a diet you can sit no longer than three days. Of course, it is contraindicated in gastritis, ulcers, inflammatory bowel diseases.

Decoction

Parsley broth is considered an excellent means for weight loss. It helps to remove excess fluid from the body and reduce swelling. In addition, its use reduces hunger, which allows you to refuse snacks and reduce portions, which also contributes to weight loss.

The broth should be prepared as follows: parsley leaves should be finely chopped, and then ceiling in a mortar, so that juice begins to stand out from them. After that, pour greens with boiling water (a glass of water for 2 teaspoons of plant material) and then cook this mixture over low heat for 15 minutes. After that, wait until the broth cools down, and strain it. Drink 100 ml (this is a small tea cup) whenever there is a feeling of hunger. This is best done in a course of two weeks. At this time, you also need to limit yourself to flour and sweet foods, refuse fatty foods, but you can eat boiled meat, buckwheat and rice, dairy products, vegetables and fruits.

There is another way to lose weight on a parsley broth. You need 100 g of greens, pour two liters of boiling water, simmer for 10-15 minutes, then cool, strain and add the juice of one lemon. This broth must be drunk a little, just a few sips. If hunger becomes especially strong, then, in addition to the broth, you can still eat a few slices of orange. In this case, you must follow a very strict diet. In this case, the duration of the course of treatment is no longer than 10 days.

Infusion

To prepare the infusion, you need to take 2 teaspoons of chopped parsley herb and pour a glass of boiling water, and then insist for 20-30 minutes. Before use, this tool is filtered. It is recommended to take 1 glass, on an empty stomach, in the morning, for two weeks. Then you definitely need to take a break for 14 days, and after that the course can be repeated again. If you observe certain restrictions on food, then during this time you can lose 4-5 kg.

Tea

Parsley tea can also help you lose weight. To do this, for 50 ml of boiling water you need to take 15 g of fresh parsley, which is previously crushed. In winter, when only greenhouse greens are on sale, which contain much less nutrients, you can take dried parsley - 2 tbsp. spoons in a glass of boiling water. Brew this product in the same way as regular tea, that is, insist for 5-10 minutes and certainly strain through a filter. It is recommended to drink it warm, adding a little lemon sugar or honey. This tea contains less biologically active substances, and it can be taken for several months in a row. But you need to remember that it has a certain calming effect.

The healing properties of parsley seeds

Parsley seeds contain many of the chemical compounds that are then present in adult plants. In folk medicine, they are used to stimulate appetite for gastritis with low acidity, improve digestion and intestinal motility, and normalize the menstrual cycle.

Most often, tea is brewed from them (1 tbsp.a spoonful of seeds per glass of boiling water), which also helps to remove pain from colic and seizures, to reduce the manifestations of inflammatory processes.

What is useful parsley root

Both in cooking and in folk medicine, parsley has found widespread use. Its greens contain fewer vitamins and minerals than leaf (although in general the chemical composition is identical). But the roots of this variety in terms of the content of organic acids, minerals, vitamins and essential oils significantly exceed the aboveground part.

Parsley root is used as an antiseptic for the oral cavity, and it is also an excellent option for enhancing immunity. And also parsley root:

1. Normalizes the liver and hepatobiliary system.
2. Removes toxins and reduces swelling.
3. It is a preventive and therapeutic agent for constipation.
4. It is used as an adjuvant in the treatment of prostatitis due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
5. Improves the functioning of the digestive system.
6. Regulates glucose in diabetes.
7. It speeds up the metabolism and is used as an adjuvant in the complex treatment of obesity.
8. It is used as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic in the treatment of rheumatism.

Moreover, in fresh medicine, both fresh and dried parsley root can be used. It is harvested in late autumn, trying to harvest before severe frosts occur.

Since parsley root contains even more biologically active substances, it should be used with more care than greens. In particular, it can adversely affect calcium metabolism.

The benefits of parsley juice

Parsley juice has the same properties as its herbs. However, it contains all vitamins, trace elements and bioflavonoids, as it were, in concentrated form, and therefore it is considered more useful. In addition, entering the body with liquid, these substances are better absorbed.

How to squeeze juice

To prepare parsley juice, you need to prepare greens - thoroughly rinse, chop in any way convenient for the hostess, for example, you can cut the stems and leaves with a knife or process in a blender. Then squeeze the juice from the resulting mass. To do this, you need to put it in a kind of filter made of gauze folded into several layers.

It is believed that the more operations are done manually, the more useful the resulting juice will be. The fact is that in contact with metal, oxidative processes always occur, due to which some of the unstable chemical compounds are destroyed.

The resulting juice should be used immediately. You can’t just store it in the refrigerator. Unless you can freeze juice in ice tins and use it not for food but for cosmetic purposes. For this, it can even be diluted with purified boiled water (of course, cold), since a high concentration of biologically active substances is not needed for the skin.

Dried parsley: benefits and harms

Dried parsley has almost the same properties as fresh herbs. Of course, a certain amount of useful substances is destroyed, but most of it is preserved. It is only important to comply with all drying rules, so that in the future such a product will benefit.

How to dry

The drying process in this case will be the same as for any other spicy greens from the garden. This means that the greens must be thoroughly washed, shaken off the remaining water from it, dried on a fabric or paper towel. Then place enough thick white paper on trays or spread sheets. In no case should parsley be dried on newspapers, since printing ink contains harmful substances that can be absorbed into stems and leaflets.

Parsley needs to be dried in the open air, but it is best in the shade or under a canopy, since oxidation processes begin when in contact with direct sunlight. Theoretically, you can do this in the kitchen in a city apartment, if there is enough free space for this.

It is better to lay out greens on paper in a thin layer to provide air access to all parts of the plant. In the process, the greens will need to be periodically stirred up a little for uniform drying, this is done manually. This will take several days. You just need to wait for the leaves and stems to break. After that, they can be crushed and filled up for further storage in a glass jar or paper bags.

It should be noted that not only leaves can be dried, but also parsley root. Only it is preliminary recommended to cut into thin enough bars to speed up the process. It will take more time to dry it than greens. But in winter it will give the soups and side dishes a pleasant taste. And for medicinal purposes it can be used.

The benefits of parsley with kefir

Parsley with kefir is an excellent combination of products for detoxifying the body, that is, removing the accumulated toxins from it. In addition, it allows you to get rid of puffiness and even extra pounds. True, the diet on kefir with parsley is among the very stringent, so you can follow it no longer than three days in a row. A more sparing option is to replace one of the meals with a glass of kefir with parsley. Best if it is an afternoon snack or dinner. However, in the latter case, you need to try to ensure that it takes place no later than 18-19 hours, since parsley still gives a diuretic effect.

Such a drink contains literally all the substances necessary for the body, including amino acids, vitamins, potassium and calcium. This drink is prepared as follows - take a glass of kefir to take 90 g of parsley. Greens should be washed, shake off excess water, put in a blender bowl, pour kefir and beat all these ingredients until a homogeneous mass is obtained.

Parsley in medicine

In medicine, parsley is used mainly as an anti-inflammatory agent, it is also necessary to improve digestion, normalize metabolic processes, regulate kidney and liver function, whiten teeth, etc. In addition, parsley is considered an excellent natural breath freshener, and it is very useful for gums, as it reduces their bleeding.

With diabetes

It has been proven that parsley contains inulin, which is involved in glucose metabolism, which is why it is useful in diabetes. In addition, parsley helps to get rid of excess weight, which is either the cause of this disease, or at least - an aggravating factor.

Important: the glycemic index of parsley is 5 units.

With pancreatitis

In acute pancreatitis, any herbs are contraindicated. In chronic pancreatitis, parsley, or rather, its greens, is one of the few permitted spices. It can be added to soups, meat and fish dishes. But in herbal medicine for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis, parsley root is used. Below, among the recipes of traditional medicine, this option will be considered.

With gastritis

Parsley is recommended for gastritis with low acidity, as it stimulates the production of gastric juice. It is advisable to do this on an empty stomach.

With gastritis with high acidity, parsley is one of the few permitted spices. But you can use it only if it is a chronic form of the disease and the stage of remission.

For the intestines

Parsley is used to enhance intestinal motility and improve digestion. It should be noted that it reduces the risk of increased gas formation, therefore, it is used for irritable bowel syndrome.

For constipation

With these kinds of problems, nutritionists most often advise just adding fresh parsley to various dishes, although you can also drink infusions and decoctions.

With gout

With this disease, any herbs should be used with caution.But in this case, there are direct contraindications, since the use of parsley can lead to a violation of salt metabolism, which is the main reason for the development of gout.

For the liver

For the hepatobiliary system, parsley is useful as a detoxifying agent. In folk medicine, it is advised to prepare such a tool on its basis: mix the juice of three lemons with a cup of chopped fresh parsley and five sprigs of steamed celery. All this is literally mashed in a blender, add 6 cups of water and then beat again until smooth. It turns out a drink that you need to drink a cup three times a day before eating. The duration of treatment is 3 days, then you need to take a break. In the presence of gastritis and peptic ulcer, this remedy is contraindicated.

With hemorrhoids

With this disease, it is very important to establish the right digestion process. To do this, it is advised to consume more leafy greens, but the main thing is parsley, since it also has anti-inflammatory properties and helps strengthen blood vessels.

With cholecystitis

The therapeutic diet for cholecystitis allows the use of parsley - but not more than 60 g per day. In addition, you can add a root to the vegetable soup - no more than 30 g, because otherwise there is a risk of the formation of oxalate stones.

From edema

Parsley contains apiin and potassium. Due to this, it has a diuretic effect, but, unlike finished pharmaceutical preparations, its use does not lead to hypokalemia. The diuretic properties of parsley make it an effective remedy for edema. However, it should be understood that neither juice, nor decoction, nor the infusion of this plant does not affect the cause of edema, and the disease itself still needs treatment.

Parsley-based traditional medicine recipes

In traditional folk medicine, both seeds and leaves, and roots, and parsley essential oil are used. So, greens have always been used to treat bruises and insect bites, and its juice was also considered an effective remedy for lice and skin parasites. Parsley essential oil was used to normalize the menstrual cycle and treat various gynecological diseases (but in general it should be used with extreme caution, since it also gives an abortive effect).

Parsley seeds are a carminative. Based on it, tea is most often brewed, which eliminates flatulence and pain with colic. But a decoction of seeds is considered an excellent remedy for arrhythmia and heart failure, especially if these pathologies are accompanied by swelling.

Finally, the root is often used as a diuretic for kidney diseases, and it is also part of home remedies for diabetes and pancreatitis.

Many parsley-based recipes are approved by official medicine. For example:

1. With pancreatitis, you need to take about 0.5 kg of parsley root, wash thoroughly, pour boiling water over it and cut into pieces. Put this mass in a pan with thick walls and pour milk so that it completely covers the plant material. Put the pan in a not too hot oven on a low heat so that the milk is heated, but at the same time it can not boil. When it thickens a little, strain the obtained product and take 1-2 tbsp every hour. spoons. The entire cooked volume must be drunk literally in one day. This remedy can be drunk even immediately after an attack of acute pancreatitis.
2. In diabetes mellitus, the parsley decoction described above must be taken 1 tbsp. spoon three times a day.
3. Another option for diabetes is to pour 50 g of crushed roots into a glass of boiling water, leave for 45 minutes, strain and take 2 tbsp. tablespoons twice a day - in the morning on an empty stomach and in the evening half an hour before bedtime.
4. For hypertension, 15–20 g of fresh parsley leaves should be brewed with a glass of boiling water and insisted for 20 minutes. This is a little drink during the day. For a day you can drink no more than two glasses of infusion.
5. From high blood pressure there is another recipe - 2 tbsp.tablespoons crushed in a mortar of seeds pour a glass of boiling water and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Then the drink is infused for half an hour. You need to drink it for 1 tbsp. spoon four times a day.

Parsley in cosmetology

Parsley is often used for skin care. The juice of this plant helps to improve complexion, gives the skin smoothness and elasticity. With regular use, it even allows you to get rid of age spots, since it has a slight whitening effect. Also, this tool is considered effective against acne, since parsley normalizes the sebaceous glands.

For face

The best tool in cosmetology is ice based on parsley or the juice of this herb. These ice cubes rub the skin in the morning and evening. This procedure replaces the usual washing, gives a light whitening effect, tones the skin. It is important only to move the ice cube correctly - from the center line of the face to the right or left, in the direction from bottom to top. And, of course, it is very important to prevent hypothermia during such procedures.

You can freeze for cosmetic ice both the decoctions and infusions described above, and the juice of the plant, and mineral water with parsley. You can also cook the following masks:

1. For oily skin. Parsley is chopped in a blender so that juice is formed. On 1 tbsp. A spoonful of the resulting mass is added about the same amount of sour cream and mixed, and then the mixture is applied to cleansed skin for 20 minutes, after which it is washed off with warm water without the use of additional funds. Instead of sour cream, you can take fruit yogurt or any puree and low-fat kefir.
2. From acne. This mask needs parsley root. It is washed, cleaned, ground to a state of mashed potatoes, taken from this 1 tbsp. spoonful of raw materials, mixed with raw egg white and lemon juice and applied to clean skin for 15 minutes, and then washed off. Some cosmetologists advise using garlic instead of lemon, but the smell will be appropriate.
3. For aging skin. Take dill and parsley in equal quantities, chop, from this volume 2 tbsp. tablespoons are poured with milk, add 2 ml of olive oil, mix and apply to the skin for 20 minutes. Parsley-based compresses also help.
4. For dry skin. Oatmeal is boiled in milk as usual, only without the addition of sugar and salt, then 50 g of cereal is mixed with 2 tbsp. tablespoons chopped parsley, add 1 tbsp. a spoonful of sour cream and the resulting mixture is applied to the face for 20 minutes.

A broth of parsley can be wiped on the face where there are problem areas with acne or traces of inflammation. It replaces the finished lotion.

For hair

1. To give the hair a healthy shine, a parsley broth is used - 50 g of chopped herbs per liter of boiling water. The tool is insisted for 15 minutes, filtered and used for rinsing.
2. Parsley juice is considered a good tool for hair growth. It can be rubbed into the scalp at least every day. But more often it is used once a week with any additives, for example, honey or burdock oil.
3. To strengthen the hair, you can also make a mask based on crushed parsley seeds (1 teaspoon), which are mixed with castor oil (2 teaspoons) and a small amount of alcohol, which in this recipe plays the role of preservative. The resulting product is rubbed into the scalp instead of lotion.

Cooking Application

Parsley is the most important herb in Russian cuisine, but it plays an equally important role in European and even Asian culinary traditions. In most cases, when the recipe says “add greens” - this means that we are talking about parsley and some kind of supplement to it. And one of the advantages of parsley is that it goes well with almost any of them. Its main companion is, of course, dill. But she is “friends” with basil, celery, spinach, and even cilantro and green onions.

Parsley can be added to any salads and snacks, it is suitable for soups, vegetable stews, various fish and meat dishes. It is sprinkled with fried eggs and even some types of unsweetened pastries.

Parsley root has also found widespread use in cooking. It is put in soups, stews, various dishes from vegetables, it can be part of the filling in stuffed zucchini or pepper. Also, the root of this herb is added to aspic and aspic.

Harm and contraindications

A large number of biologically active substances that are part of parsley, brings not only benefits. In some cases, this spice can even do harm. As already noted, in large quantities, parsley can significantly increase the tone of the uterus, so during pregnancy in the first trimester it must be consumed in very small doses so as not to provoke a miscarriage.

In addition, it should be noted that parsley contains substances that, when consumed in large quantities, can lead to the formation of oxalate kidney stones. Therefore, with a tendency to form such calculi, the use of parsley is contraindicated. Also, this spice should be excluded from the diet in the presence of acute jade or cystitis, as well as gout.

How to choose and store parsley

You should buy only fresh parsley. It should have leaves of a saturated green shade and an elastic stem. Be sure to check it out. The cut should be fresh. If the leaflets look lethargic, even if there are no signs of decay, it is better to refuse the purchase, since such greens will not remain for long even in the refrigerator. If there is an unpleasant odor from the side of the cut, then you definitely do not need to buy such greens, since this means that it was stored with violations of conditions.

You can extend the freshness period only for quality greens. To do this, parsley should be placed in cold water so that its stems are in it, and left at room temperature for several hours. Without a refrigerator, greens can be stored for only 1-2 days. In the vegetable section of the refrigerator, she will "live" a week. But for long-term storage, only one method is suitable - freezing, and it will be discussed below.

It is recommended to store root parsley in the same way as carrots. Dug out the roots should be sorted out, cut the leaves, get rid of broken or spoiled copies. Then lay out the root crops selected for storage in boxes with sand and place them in the cellar. Some farmers advise even slightly moistening the sand for longer storage, but it is already important not to overdo it.

In a city apartment, parsley root is stored in the refrigerator, but for this you need not a plastic bag, but a paper or fabric bag.

Is it possible to freeze

Both leaf and root parsley can be frozen for long-term storage. If everything is done according to the rules, then this spice can be stored in the freezer for at least 7–8 months, or even several weeks longer.

The following methods are used for this:

1. Freezing whole stems. Parsley is cleaned, washed, sorted, at the same time removing coarse stems, and then dried on paper napkins. After a while, until the greens have not lost freshness, it is collected in bundles, wrapped in plastic bags and sent to the freezer.
2. In chopped form. The first stage of preparation of greens will be the same as described above, only parsley is cut with a knife, and then packaged in special bags or plastic boxes for freezing.
3. In the form of portioned cubes. Parsley for this also needs to be carefully prepared, only cut it very finely, and then placed in ice molds, adding literally a few drops of water to each compartment. The very next day, these forms can be taken out of the freezer, transferred to a more compact box and returned back.

Parsley root can also be frozen.To do this, the roots are sorted out, leaving only the healthiest, then cleaned of the skin and small side roots and slightly dried on paper towels. After that, the root can be either finely chopped or grated on a coarse grater and the resulting mass can be frozen in storage bags.

Some housewives chop the prepared greens literally to a puree state, then a small amount of olive or other vegetable oil is added to the resulting mass and frozen in portioned ice tins as described above.

Of course, you can’t put such parsley in a salad that does not undergo heat treatment. It is used for soups, meat dishes, sauces, vegetable stews. But such parsley contains much more vitamins than greenhouse. Yes, and her taste and aroma is much more intense. But all the same, taking into account the fact that part of the nutrients are destroyed during freezing, a little more can be added to dishes than fresh summer parsley would have been.

How to eat parsley

This green, although very useful, is not at all as simple as it is commonly thought. Therefore, you need to use it only by the rules, so as not to harm the body.

How much can you eat per day

Doctors say that you can eat up to 50 grams of parsley per day. Since its juice is more concentrated, it should be consumed with extreme caution. And finally, during pregnancy, the amount of fresh parsley should also be reduced.

Can I eat at night and on an empty stomach

Very often glossy magazines suggest eating parsley at night. Of course, it really helps to lose weight by getting rid of puffiness. But it can cause discomfort due to the diuretic effect throughout the night.

As for whether it is possible to eat on an empty stomach, then it is better to abstain, because due to the high content of essential oils the gastric mucosa will be very irritated.

Is it possible to eat stems

Parsley stalks are not consumed fresh, but they can be used in cooking - for example, put a bunch of such stems in a hot broth when it is boiled so that they better reveal their taste and aroma (then they can be thrown out). Often onions and carrots are fried together with a bunch of parsley stalks, especially if these vegetables are then used to make the sauce.

Also, parsley stalks, if they are long enough, are used to bind pancakes or other fillings - this is more convenient than using leaves. Shredded and dried stems can be mixed with salt to create a spice mix.

Is it possible to eat blooming parsley

Parsley inflorescences, as a rule, are not eaten raw. But many housewives use them in the same way as dill inflorescences, that is, they put them in jars with pickled cucumbers and tomatoes for a more delicate taste and aroma.

Is it possible to give animals parsley

You can and should give parsley to small domestic rodents such as guinea pigs, hamsters and rabbits, but not more than twice a week. Dogs and cats are given parsley even less often. Greens for all these animals are needed in order to provide the body with vitamins. But birds like budgies cannot be given parsley. The essential oils contained in it are harmful to them.

Interesting facts about parsley

The name of this herb - "parsley" - comes from its Latin name Petroselinum crispum, which translates as "growing on a stone." This is a seemingly inconspicuous, but amazing plant, 100 g of which contains more vitamin C than in lemons. Its healing properties have been known since ancient times. And, according to the legends, parsley was especially appreciated by the French Queen Maria Medici, believing that this is an excellent remedy for blues and depression.

Parsley photo