Many are interested in the properties and features of parsley, so it is advisable to know what it looks like, whether it is a vegetable, and what benefits or harm it can bring. The article focuses on the rules for growing spices and the nuances of its storage.
Parsley - what is it?
Parsley is one of the popular healing plants donated to mankind by nature. In the first year, the root actively grows and greens are formed, and in the second year, seeds are formed. This is a perennial or annual herb, which is still a vegetable, despite the fact that it has a colossal resemblance to herbs. It is customary to refer to leafy vegetables, since leaves and roots (petioles) consume food.
The family of umbellate (or celery), of which parsley is a representative, is famous for such plants as dill, carrots and celery. All in the process of growth, flower-bearing shoots are formed, which should be removed to obtain high-quality raw material. This greenery is cultivated everywhere, except for the northern regions.
Spice was first discovered by the Spaniards in the wild, namely on the side of a mountain near a source of fresh water. The homeland of spicy grass is the island of Sardinia, located on the Mediterranean coast. After some time, the ancient Greeks began to use it, growing in the gardens of ancient Hellas. Spice was used as a remedy for healing wounds from bites of poisonous snakes and insects.
This genus of plants was considered sacred and therefore was not eaten. Often, the ancient Greeks used spice to make natural wreaths that were worn on the head.
Did you know? Since 2011, curly parsley seeds have been included in the register of State Consumer Supervision as substances with narcotic and toxic properties.
Chemical composition and calorie content
100 g of greens contains only 46 kcal, and root crops - 49 kcal.
Spice is rich in biologically active substances and vitamins A, C. For example, 50 g of herbs contains their daily norm. The composition also includes vitamins B, PP and K. The fruits contain up to 22% fatty oil: essential (from 2 to 6%), which consists of apiol and other valuable substances. Also, greens contain valuable for the body folic acid, iron, potassium, inulin, which regulates glucose metabolism in the blood and other trace elements.
There are two varieties of parsley:
- Sheet. Has two sheet shapes — plain or curly.
- Root.
Parsley Properties for Men, Women, and Children
Let us examine in more detail what benefit is the use of parsley to the human body. We will also get acquainted with what harm it can cause to health.
Benefit
Perennial parsley has long been considered the herb of women's health due to the high content of apiol (a natural analogue of the female sex hormone - estrogen). This component helps to alleviate the painful symptoms of many female disorders, including menopause, premenstrual syndrome, and an irregular menstrual cycle. It also reduces emotional and physical stress.
- A useful plant favorably affects not only the female body, but also the male:
- The roots and flowers of fresh grass are valuable in case of prostate disease, as they can split and remove kidney stones.
- A decoction of parsley in combination with celery, potatoes and carrots eliminates the hangover syndrome.
- This plant is a unique natural aphrodisiac. To enhance potency and libido, men should add this spice to their food. In this case, it is necessary to observe the measure in order to avoid unforeseen situations.
- From an annual parsley, you can prepare a mask that will help in the fight against baldness.
Greens are useful for anemia and cardiovascular disease. A decoction of the root of the plant can cure infectious diseases of the eyes.
Important! Greens are advised to regularly eat during pregnancy planning due to the content of folic acid in it, which has a positive effect on the development of the fetus.
Particular attention should be paid to the use of the considered greens for baby food.. Experts advise introducing a spicy plant into a children's diet after getting used to basic foods such as porridge, meat and vegetables. Pediatricians consider the optimal age for this to be 6–8 months and recommend starting to introduce boiled greens into the children's diet, adding it to soup or mashed potatoes. Fresh herbs are advised to be introduced into lure no earlier than 9 months of age.
These recommendations are suitable exclusively for healthy babies, if there are health problems, it is advisable to consult your doctor.
Harm and contraindications
The whole harm of parsley to human health lies in its chemical composition and quantity consumed. Uncontrolled consumption of spicy greens can oversaturated the body with myristicin. It is an active element in essential oils that can cause symptoms such as nausea, hallucinations, and dizziness.
The use of greenery should be abandoned if a person has problems with the pancreas or is ill with jade.
Women who have a baby need to be especially careful to eat this plant as it can interrupt pregnancy.
Important! If there is no likelihood of a miscarriage, then it is recommended to consume no more than 1-2 branches of parsley per day.
Application features
Thanks to its rich vitamin cocktail, the plant is used in cooking and traditional medicine.
Also using the diuretic effect of the plant, it is used to reduce high blood pressure, so hypertonics is recommended to regularly use the spice. Phytoncides (natural antibiotics) contained in the plant will help get rid of colds and diseases of the upper respiratory tract. To do this, you need to prepare an infusion and rinse it with an infected throat.
Traditional medicine recommends using fresh juice of the leaves of this greenery to cure gastric ulcer diseases. For this, it is advisable in 20 minutes. before eating, drink 1 tsp. decoction, which is also an excellent remedy for wrinkles. If you want to get rid of bad breath, chew the leaves of fresh parsley.
Growing rules
Grass seeds germinate already at temperatures from –3 ° to + 4 ° C. Young shoots tolerate frosts to –9 ° С. Root crops can winter in the ground and give early young shoots. The plant blooms in the second year of cultivation, approximately in the month of June.
It must be remembered that the spice is demanding on lighting and does not tolerate waterlogging of the soil. With a lack of moisture, the leaves of the plant and its root crop become stiff. For good parsley growth, fertile light soil should be used.
How can parsley be preserved for a long time?
Greenhouse spicy greens are not only devoid of vitamins and minerals, but also contain harmful nitrates and other chemicals. In this regard, it is advisable to think in advance how to keep parsley fresh for a long time.
Since greens do not belong to algae, it can be stored in the form of a “bouquet”. To do this, it is advisable to put a “bouquet” of spicy grass in a glass jar filled with cold water by a third. Such a composition at a low temperature can stand up to 2 weeks.
To keep the parsley fresh in the season, it is necessary to thoroughly clean it from spoiled twigs, soil. It should only be remembered that it is impossible to wash it at the same time. The peeled parsley needs to be collected in a bunch and wrapped in parchment paper or a tissue napkin and put in a cool place, preferably in a refrigerator.
Did you know? In 1937, the Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo issued a decree on "purging the Haitians." So, everyone who could not pronounce the word "perejil" (translated into Russian as "parsley") was executed.
Having familiarized yourself with the scientific name of parsley and with the nuances of its use, you can begin to use it. In addition, now you know how to keep the product for a long time.
