Health Benefits of Eating Parsley
The first time I saw parsley on my plate, my Mother told me it was just a garnish and not to eat it. She honestly thought it wasn't edible. My Mom was an old fashioned cook that didn't use spices except for salting and peppering. She thought any spices were just an extra expense.
For years, I didn't eat parsley. When I saw it in soup, I just thought it was for the added color.`I even grew parsley in my garden and only used it to garnish plates for parties. Parsley has been used as a medicinal drug for over 2500 years. In the beginning parsley was only used for medicinal purposes. They didn't realize that you could eat it.
Benefits of Eating Parsley
Parsley is beneficial for bad breath. Try not only using it for yourself, but for your pets too. The reason parsley works for bad breath is because it has a high content of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll helps neutralize bad odors.
Parsley has a high content of iron and the added Vitamin C helps to absorb the iron. Young girls especially have trouble with iron deficiency and should be sure to eat it.
Parsley contains flavanoid apigenen. The apigenen is found in several fruits and vegetables and has been found to halt the growth of two kinds of cells that cause leukemia. Flavinoids are antioxidents that prevent damage to the body caused by oxygen molecules. They are hoping that it may help prevent leukemia entirely. Apigenen may interfere with other treatments for leukemia, so it isn't being used for people that already have it.
Parsley also neutralizes other chemicals that can cause cancer.
It is also supposed to be good to fight ear infections and other hearing problems. Other than the Vitamin C content, I would question this, but it is worth a try.
Parsley provides Vitamin K that helps the body with blood clotting.
It provides Vitamins A and C which are antioxidants and help prevent premature aging of the body. Parsley contains 3 times as much Vitamin C as oranges. The leaves contain more Vitamin C than any other vegetable. The A and C also have anti-inflammatory effects.
Use it for insect bites and it may help the swelling and itching to go down. Just rub the raw parsley on the bite.
Parsley is also a good source of potassium and calcium. Potassium is necessary for the life of all cells. Calcium is need for strong bones, especially for those with osteoporosis.
Don't Eat in Large Quantities
If pregnant, don't eat it in large quantities, because it may cause contractions. If you have had kidney stones in the past, don't eat too much parsley because the plant is high in oxalates which could cause another episode.
Overall parsley is a very healthy addition to your diet. It is especially popular in potato dishes and soup. Start adding more of it to your diet for all of its healthy benefits.
Make Your Own Parsley Tea for a Delicious and Expensive Start to Your Morning
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