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Using Parsley
Petroselinum Crispum also known as
Parsley, has been known as a medicinal herb for over 2000 years by the Greeks
and other cultures. Parsley is now grown all over the world. The Greeks believed
the seeds and the roots helped in kidney and bladder ailments and was used as a
diuretic, they also believed that using parsley helped to sooth them. In
addition to aiding in stomach and kidney ailments, it also strengthened the
digestive system and helps to alleviate liver problems. As seen in folk
medicine parsley is recommended for women who have an irregular menstrual cycle.
Parsley leaves are a good source of many vitamins and minerals, which include
iron, potassium and vitamin C.
Have you ever tried a Parsley drink, do
you know how to make one?
A medieval German herbalist Saint
Hildegard of Bingen prescribed parsley wine to improve blood circulation. It was
believed to help in cases of heart conditions.
Combine 10-12 large sprigs
of parsley with 1 quart of red or white wine with 2 tbsp of white wine vinegar.
Boil for 10 minutes, then add 9 oz of honey. Strain the mixture and pour into
bottles. Take 1 tbsp three times a day.
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Parsley Spread
2 bunches parsley
2 shallots
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup of cream cheese
2 tbsp. lemon juice
salt
white pepper
2 scallions
4 large tomatoes
cayenne pepper
1. Wash the parsley in cold water
and strip the leaves from the stalks. Coarsely chop the parsley. Then
peel and dice the shallots.
2. Mix together the heavy cream,
cream cheese, lemon juice, parsley and shallots. Season to taste with
salt and white pepper.
3. Peel the scallions, cut into
thin rings. Dice 2 tomatoes, season with salt and cayenne pepper to
taste, mix the scallions.
4. Cut the remaining 2 tomatoes
into 1/2" slices. Cover them with the parsley spread and with the tomato
scallion mixture. |
Parsley used to help
fight Osteoporosis
To fight against
Osteoporosis, sometimes high doses of calcium are taken as a supplement,
but this can impair the body's absorption of manganese, which helps build bone.
Parsley enhances manganese absorption, when it is eaten with foods that contain
copper and zinc like shellfish and whole grains.
Therapeutic
Effect: Parsley is a diuretic that purifies the blood and accelerates
the excretion of toxins. It helps to stimulate the appetite and aids in
digestion and metabolism. This herb can also help ease bloating, stomach cramps,
nausea, and arthritis symptoms. If eaten regularly it reduces the heart rate and
lowers blood pressure. Parsley can also be used to keep your breath fresh if you
chew on the leaves, and to treat kidney stones brew up some parsley in a tea.
Kitchen Tips
1. Never cook the parsley, doing so
destroys the vitamins and minerals. To help keep the flavor chop the parsley
right before using it and it to hot foods at the last minute.
2. Try to avoid the dried parsley, because
it has less taste, and its not as healthy as the fresh kind.
3. Try and add some parsley as a
complement to a dish such as, potatoes, smoked salmon, trout, poultry, pasta and
veggies.
4. Save your self time by chopping and
freezing fresh parsley. Make sure you wash it and dry it before you freeze it,
you can also chop it up as well.
5. To keep your parsley fresh, sprinkle it
with water, wrap it up with towels, and keep it in the fridge. You can also keep
it in a glass of water, but remember to put it in the fridge.
6. Give Italian parsley a try, it has more
flavor and nutrients, then the curly type.
Jen W
About the author: Jen W is a work at home
mother of 3 beautiful children she is also the owner of
New Wave Design Virtual Assistant
Services and Website Design. Jen also owns several businesses such as
J and J Consignment Shop,
New Wave Graphics and of course
The Informer.
Notice: You are free to use these articles
that Jen writes as long as you maintain all parts of the article including the
bio and this notice. Copyright 2005 all rights reserved!
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