Parsley Garden.

Parsley Garden

An annual or biennial herbaceous plant of the Apiaceae family, 50–90 cm high. The root is vertical. The stem is erect, opposite from the middle.

The leaves are long-petiolate, double and triple pinnate, shiny above, matte below. In the 1st year of life, a rosette of basal leaves develops, in the 2nd year - a stem. Blooms in June - July.

The flowers are small, greenish-yellow. The fruit is a grayish-brown two-seeded seed, consisting of two semi-fruits, with a characteristic odor. Ripens in July - August.

Garden parsley is widespread throughout Russia. Cultivated as a garden crop. To obtain early production, seeds are sown before winter or early spring, planting them to a depth of 3 cm.

Used in cooking as a seasoning and vegetable. Parsley preparations are widely used in cosmetics. Use fresh parsley juice mixed with a decoction of the root and lemon juice to remove age spots and freckles.

A decoction of the root protects the skin from sunburn, which makes it possible to use it for photoallergies and as a remedy to protect against sunburn.

Medicinal raw materials are seeds, roots, leaves and stems. Seeds are collected as they ripen, roots in autumn, leaves and grass - during the flowering period of plants in the 2nd year of life. The grass and leaves are dried in the open air, protected from direct sunlight or in a warm, ventilated room. The seeds are dried.

The grass is stored in cloth bags for 2-3 years, roots - no more than a year, seeds - 3-4 years.

Parsley seeds are rich in essential and fatty oils and contain flavonoids and coumarins. The leaves and roots contain large amounts of vitamin C and carotene, as well as folic acid, flavonoids and tocopherol.

The plant has a diuretic, choleretic, antispasmodic, detoxifying and antiseptic effect. Parsley is used as a diuretic for kidney and cardiovascular diseases accompanied by edema. Infusion and decoction of seeds and leaves give positive results for kidney stones, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the urinary tract, especially due to spasm of the smooth muscles of internal organs.

Parsley preparations are prescribed for indigestion and urination in children, bloating, dyspepsia, uterine bleeding, for the regulation of menstruation and prostatitis. The use of the decoction is effective for decompensated heart defects. The high content of vitamins allows it to be used for asthenic conditions, after operations, as well as for inflammation of the gastric mucosa with reduced secretion and as a prophylactic agent for preserving vision.

Externally, a decoction of parsley is indicated for abscesses, bruises, bites of mosquitoes, bees and wasps. In concentrated form, it is used for lice as an antiparasitic agent.

To prepare a decoction of seeds, herbs, leaves or roots, pour 1 tablespoon of raw material into 1 glass of hot water, boil for 30-40 minutes, cool, filter through three to four layers of gauze and bring the volume to the original volume.

Take 2 tablespoons 3-4 times a day before meals. A more concentrated preparation is obtained by increasing the raw material by 3-4 times.

When using an infusion of seeds, pour 1/2 teaspoon of raw material into 2 glasses of cold water, leave for 8-10 hours and filter through two or three layers of gauze.

Take 2-3 tablespoons 3 times a day. Contraindications to the use of parsley preparations are different stages of pregnancy.