Thy food your Medicine - Parsley Parsley or garden parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is a species of Petroselinum in the family Apiaceae, native to the central Mediterranean region (southern Italy, Algeria, and Tunisia), naturalized elsewhere in Europe, and widely cultivated as a herb, a spice, and a vegetable. Parsley is a popular culinary and medicinal herb, which is recognized as one of the functional food for its unique antioxidants, and disease preventing properties. This is a wonderful, fragrant rich biennial herb contains valuable volatile oils and flavonoids. The volatile oil known as myristicin has chemoprotective benefits which means it can neutralize cancer causing agents and has been shown to prevent tumor growth. Flavanoids like apigenin and luteolin found in parsley act as antioxidants to protect cells from oxidative damage and stress. Parsley is a good source of minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and magnesium. 100 g fresh herb provides 554 mg or 12% of daily-required levels of potassium. Potassium is the chief component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure by countering the effects of sodium. Additionally, Parsley is also rich in many antioxidant vitamins, including vitamin-A, beta-carotene, vitamin-C, vitamin-E, zea-xanthin, lutein, and cryptoxanthin. The herb is an excellent source of vitamin-K and folates. Zea-xanthin helps prevent age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) in the retina of the eye in the old age population through its anti-oxidant and ultra-violet light filtering functions. Parsley leaves are also rich in many essential vitamins such as pantothenic acid (vitamin B-5), riboflavin (vitamin B-2), niacin (vitamin B-3), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) and thiamin (vitamin B-1). These vitamins play a vital role in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism by acting as co-enzymes inside the human body. It is, perhaps, the richest herbal source for vitamin K; provide 1640 µg or 1366% of recommended daily intake. Vitamin K has been found to have the potential role in bone health by promoting osteotrophic activity in the bones. It has also established role in the treatment of Alzheimers disease patients by limiting neuronal damage in the brain. Parsley also helps prevent and aid in the treatment of the following ailment • Anemia-prevention • Bladder infection prevention and treatment • Digestive aid • Kidney health • Bad breath treatment • Anti-arthritis • Blood tonic and purifier • Natural diuretic • Gas reduction • Indigestion soother • Immune booster The best way to use parsley is when it’s fresh. It can be dried or frozen but loses much of its flavor that way. The easiest way to receive parsley health benefits is by simply eating it. This is especially true for digestive ailments or bad breath. Simply chew on a few twigs of parsley and you should see quick benefits. Alternately, you can always make a tea, using 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley per 2 cups of water. Steep for several minutes before straining, and enjoy. You can also add parsley to your foods for the nutritional perks. It makes a perfect addition to green smoothies too, upping their detoxification power. This is the time to start preventive health care, include Parsley in your diet and you will be glad you did!
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 07:41:36 +0000