Parsley is a member of the carrot family, but a bright green biennial herb; it is also used as a spice in the Middle East. This herb has been cultivated since the Romans times, not only used for culinary purposes, it also has a high herbal medicinal use. In ancient times parsley was used for chaplets (prayer beads) and as a funeral decoration.

Italian - Flat Leaf Parsley

Common Curly Parsley

Parsley has three leaves on short stems that bunch in threes at the tips of 8in (20cm stalks. The leaves of common parsley are dark green with divided tips that curl tightly (curly leaf parsley), but Italian parsley is lighter in colour and more deeply divided and feathery (Flat leaf parsley). A common parsley plant can grow from 9 to 18 inches tall and spreads to about 9 inches. Whilst parsley is a biennial, it is often grown as an annual.

Sow the seeds thinly, you can put them on the top of the soil and water them in, germination will take about two weeks. Parsley can thrive in partly shady areas, this easy to grow herb can withstand poor soil and poor drainage. Pick the parsley leaves when they begin to curl and are a sufficient for your needs.

Parsley is the most widely used culinary herb in the world. This slightly peppery flavoured herb is more commonly used as flavouring and garnish, there are more than 30 varieties, and the most popular are curly-leaf or the stronger Italian flat-leaf parsley. Fresh parsley is available all year round sold in bunches, it is also available dried, but bears little resemblance to the fresh. Parsley Oil can also be made using the stronger Italian leaves. Soak parsley in a marinade of oil and lemon juice, it will improve its taste enhancing properties. When cooking use Italian flat leaf and reserve the English curly variety as a garnish to enhance freshly made salads.

This herb is not just a garnish, it is an incredible source of minerals and vitamins and is high in chlorophyll and, therefore, useful for detoxifying. Parsley has many herbal properties, including being a diuretic, carminative, antispasmodic, expectorant, sedative, anti-rheumatic and antiseptic. This herb is also used to sooth the urinary tract inflammations, infection and to get rid if excess water in the system, whilst the root is used for dissolving stones from the urinary tract system and the gall. All the parts of parsley can be used to aid digestion and for bronchial and lung problems. The seed of the parsley can be used to treat rheumatic complaints. Parsley tea can help control high blood pressure.

Back to A-Z of Herbs