We don’t give parsley much thought, but we should: This herb does more than make your plate look pretty. Parsley, which is often used to add colour and taste to salads and soups, is much more than just a table garnish.
Parsley is a flowering plant native to the Mediterranean. The two most common types are French curly-leaf and Italian flat-leaf. Over the years, parsley has been used to treat conditions like high blood pressure, allergies and inflammatory diseases.
# Breast Cancer ProtectionLiving a lifestyle that reduces your cancer risk is wise here are habits that prevent breast cancer. Parsley may have specific protective benefits against breast cancer. It contains a chemical compound called apigenin that is known to help inhibit breast cancer cell growth.
# Fights InflammationIt’s one of the more troubling general symptoms—inflammation can actually be deadly. Parsley helps because it’s high in antioxidants like vitamin C, A, and E, which can help soothe inflammation. This can help reduce the risk of arthritis, an inflammation of the joints.
# Prevents Lines and WrinklesEating parsley benefits your complexion. The herb is high in vitamin C, and vitamin C makes collagen, which gives skin its structure and strength. Collagen helps to iron out fine lines and wrinkles. Make a vitamin C-packed salad with some greens (including parsley), orange pieces, and finish with a lemony vinaigrette.
# Strengthens BonesTen sprigs of parsley is enough to reach your daily dose of vitamin K. Getting an adequate amount of vitamin K in your diet may help protect against bone fractures, as it helps make the protein for bones and blood clotting.
# Helps with DigestionSettle your stomach with the help of this soothing herb. It can help aid in digestion and help reduce bloating. It contains compounds that enable the expulsion of gas from the body. Add some flat leaf parsley into your dinner before a big night out.
# Freshens BreathAlthough it may not be able to kill all those sulfur compounds that cause bad breath, but eating some of the herb can help freshen the breath and mask any bad odours. Parsley acts as a natural breath freshener, especially after consuming garlic or onion.
# Helps with Bladder InfectionsSuffer from UTIs? Consider adding some parsley into your diet. Homeopathic practitioners use this to treat urinary tract infections and kidney and bladder stones. It contains chemicals that cause muscle contraction in the intestine, bladder, and uterus. Hence, indigestion, UTIs, and menstrual cramps were often treated with concoctions of this herb.