Leaves - raw or cooked[2, 4, 5, 9, 16, 21, 27]. Parsley is frequently used as a garnish or as a flavouring in salads and many cooked dishes, but has too strong a flavour to be eaten in quantity for most palates. It is an ingredient of the herb mix 'bouquet garni'[244]. The leaves should be harvested regularly in order to encourage fresh growth and get maximum yields[244]. The leaves are difficult to dry but are easily frozen[200]. For drying they require a well-ventilated room that receives long hours of sunlight - the leaves need to be quite crisp if they are to store[245]. Very rich in iron, iodine and magnesium, parsley is also a good source of other minerals and the vitamins A, B and C[201, 244]. The stems can be dried and ground and used as a food colouring[183]. A tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves, it is rich in vitamin C[21, 183]. An essential oil is obtained mainly from the leaves - it is used as a commercial food flavouring[46]. The leaves yields about 1% essential oil, whilst about 6% is obtained from the seed[7]. Some caution is advised on the use of this plant, especially the essential oil. See the notes above on toxicity.

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


Parsley is a commonly grown culinary and medicinal herb that is often used as a domestic medicine. The fresh leaves are highly nutritious and can be considered a natural vitamin and mineral supplement in their own right[254]. The plants prime use is as a diuretic where it is effective in ridding the body of stones and in treating jaundice, dropsy, cystitis etc[4, 238]. It is also a good detoxifier, helping the body to get rid of toxins via the urine and therefore helping in the treatment of a wide range of diseases such as rheumatism[254]. The seed is a safe herb at normal doses, but in excess it can have toxic effects[254]. Parsley should not be used by pregnant women because it is used to stimulate menstrual flow and can therefore provoke a miscarriage[7, 238]. All parts of the plant can be used medicinally, the root is the part most often used though the seeds have a stronger action. Parsley is antidandruff, antispasmodic, aperient, carminative, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, galactofuge, kidney, stomachic and tonic[4, 7, 9, 21, 165, 201, 238]. An infusion of the roots and seeds is taken after childbirth to promote lactation and help contract the uterus[238]. Parsley is also a mild laxative and is useful for treating anaemia and convalescents[244]. Caution is advised on the internal use of this herb, especially in the form of the essential oil. Excessive doses can cause liver and kidney damage, nerve inflammation and gastro-intestinal haemorrhage[238]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women or people with kidney diseases[238]. A poultice of the leaves has been applied externally to soothe bites and stings[4, 7], it is also said to be of value in treating tumours of a cancerous nature[4]. It has been used to treat eye infections, whilst a wad of cotton soaked in the juice will relieve toothache or earache[244]. It is also said to prevent hair loss and to make freckles disappear[244]. If the leaves are kept close to the breasts of a nursing mother for a few days, the milk flow will cease[7]. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Petroselinum crispum Parsley for infection of the urinary tract, kidney and bladder stones (see [302] for critics of commission E).

Landscape Uses: Border, Container, Massing. A good companion plant, repelling insects from nearby plants[20, 54]. The juice is an effective mosquito repellent when it is rubbed into the skin and is also used to relieve the pain of stings and bites[7, 244]. An essential oil obtained from the plant is used in perfumeries for men[238]. An infusion of the leaves is an excellent rinse for dark hair and also helps in the treatment of dandruff[201]. Dynamic accumulator.

Special Uses