Did You Know…the herb decorating your plate can also protect you from cancer, kidney infections, and more?
Parsley, the world’s most popular herb, is best known today as a garnish. But throughout history, when plant medicine was innately understood, that was definitely not the case.
Indeed, parsley was well known and widely revered for its curative properties. Now, science is catching up to what traditional healers have long known about this bright green herb’s ability to ward off illness, from cancer to kidney disease and more.
Healing Throughout History
Parsley has been cultivated for more than 2,000 years and has a long record of medicinal and ritual use. The ancient Greeks considered parsley to be sacred, and used it to crown the victors of athletic contests as well as to decorate tombs. The rise of the Roman empire brought with it the practice of using parsley as a garnish, the most popular and enduring use for this versatile herb.
Its success as a garnish seems to have overshadowed parsley’s health benefits. A sprig of parsley can provide much more than decoration. This delicious herb contains a wealth of nutrients, including…
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Sodium
- Thiamin
- Potassium
- Copper
Parsley is also a valuable source of volatile oil components—rare substances that provide exceptional health benefits.
Fortify Your Health with Volatile Oils
Ongoing research indicates that volatile oils have incredible and unusual protective powers. Parsley contains several, namely…
Myristicin
Limonene
Eugenol
Alpha-thujene
Animal studies have shown that myristicin inhibits the formation of tumors, in particular, tumors in the lungs. Myristicin activates an enzyme called glutathione-S-transferase, which neutralizes oxidized molecules that would otherwise damage your body.The activity of the volatile oils found in parsley qualify it as a chemoprotective food—specifically, a food that can neutralize certain kinds of carcinogens. Testing reveals parsley can protect you from the ill effects of cancer-causing substances like benzopyrenes (components of cigarette and charcoal grill smoke). |
Why You Need to Take Care of Your Kidneys
In addition to protecting you from environmental toxins, parsley can help to cleanse your body of harmful substances already introduced to your system. This function is especially crucial for the health of your kidneys. Your kidneys essentially filter your blood supply, so as you can imagine, keeping them healthy is essential to your overall well-being.
Every 30 minutes, your entire blood supply travels through your kidneys. As this takes place, your kidneys cleanse your bloodstream of waste, which is then expelled from your body in your urine. Excess stress can cause this system to malfunction, resulting in a urinary tract or even a kidney infection. Symptoms of a kidney infection include…
- Abdominal pain
- Back pain
- Persistent urge to urinate
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Burning sensation or pain while urinating
- Fever
- Blood in the urine
If you believe you have developed a kidney infection, it may be possible to use parsley as an alternative to harsh and often harmful antibiotic treatments. Herbalists recommend boiling parsley leaves, straining the liquid, and drinking it.
Enjoy Parsley, and Enjoy Life
Better yet: avoid an infection altogether by using parsley’s natural cleansing action to keep your kidneys—and the rest of your body—functioning smoothly. The next time parsley appears on your plate, acknowledge its true worth by eating it! As bonus, you’ll benefit from parsley’s impressive palate—and breath—cleansing abilities.
Of course if you wish to truly take advantage of parsley’s health benefits, experts point out that you’ll need to ingest more than a sprig. One option to maximize your dose would be to make parsley juice. Its fresh, vibrant taste can be enjoyed on its own, or in combination with fruits and vegetables of your choosing.
