Parsley root and herb are used for flushing therapies in diseases of the urinary tract such as urinary tract inflammation and irritable bladder. Another field of application is the prevention and treatment of accumulations of small kidney stones, the so-called kidney gravel. In traditional medicine, the drug is generally used to support the excretory function of the kidneys.
Parsley leaves can be applied externally in the form of poultices for skin problems to relieve itching.
Folk medicine use of parsley
Parsley was taken in the past in folk medicine as a diuretic (diuretic) for kidney and bladder pain and kidney gravel. Today, these applications apply equally, but in addition, one uses the root and the herb also as a stomachic for complaints of the gastrointestinal tract, as a menstrual stimulant and as a means to promote milk secretion in nursing mothers.
Parsley as a spice
The food industry further uses parsley essential oil to flavor sauces, meats, and spice extracts.
Application in homeopathy
In homeopathy, the fresh whole plant collected at the beginning of flowering is used for the therapy of kidney diseases, urinary tract inflammation, irritable bladder and other diseases of the draining urinary tract.
Ingredients of parsley
The roots of parsley contain, depending on the species, between 0.3 and 0.7% essential oil, which is composed of various sesquiterpenes, among others. The herb and roots also contain flavonoids, terpenes, furanocoumarins and phenylpropanes.
The plant owes its typical odor mainly to phthalides. Since the apiol contained in the essential oil can cause cardiac arrhythmia and miscarriage, only cultivated breeds with very low levels of apiol should be used. In the fruits, the concentration of apiol is particularly high, so therapeutic use is not recommended.
Parsley: indications for use
Parsley is used in the following cases:
- Diseases of the urinary tract
- Urinary tract infection
- Irritable bladder
- Kidney gravel
