Description
Dr MB’s Parsley Leaf Extract
500mg pure Oil
What Is Parsley
Parsley, which has the scientific name petroselinum crispum, is a species of Petroselinum, a member of the family of Apiaceae plants. Other plants in the Apiaceae family include carrots, celery and other herbs, like cumin, dill and anise.
It is originally native to the central Mediterranean region, where even today it’s still the highlight of many of the area’s regional recipes. Parsley herb and parsley essential oil have been used as natural detox remedies, diuretics, and antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agents for centuries in folk medicine.
Countries and regions such as southern Italy, Algeria and Tunisia were some of the first growers of this healing herb.
The impressive health benefits of this herb come via its active ingredients, which studies show include:
- phenolic compounds
- antioxidant flavonoids
- carotenoids
- ascorbic acid
- essential oils like myristicin and apiol
- various nutrients like vitamins K, C and A
According to a 2013 report in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, parsley has been used as “a treatment of gastrointestinal disorder, hypertension, cardiac disease, urinary disease, diabetes and also various dermal diseases in traditional and folklore medicines.”
Parsley Benefits
Although more formal research is needed, there’s some evidence that parsley uses and benefits may include helping fight the following symptoms and disorders:
- Inflammation
- Oxidative stress/free radical damage
- Anemia
- Bladder infection
- Digestive problems, including irritable bowel syndrome
- Kidney stones
- Bad breath
- Arthritis
- Bloating/edema
- Gas
- Acid reflux
- Constipation
- Poor immunity
- Skin problems
- Certain types of cancer
1. High Source of Flavonoid Antioxidants
What is parsley good for in terms of anti-aging and immune-boosting benefits?
It contains a range of protective vitamins and flavonoid antioxidants that are responsible for many of the disease-fighting parsley benefits being researched today. These antioxidants include luteolin, apigenin, lycopene, beta-carotene and alpha-carotene.
Antioxidants help slow the aging process by fighting free radical damage, or oxidative stress, along with inflammation within the body. This is important because free radical formation is known to contribute to almost every age-related disease, including cancer, heart disease, neurodegenerative diseases and eye disorders.
When adults were given high quantities of the herb, they showed a significant improvement in lowering oxidative stress levels compared to those who didn’t receive it, according to a study done by the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration’s Institute of Food Safety and Toxicology in Copenhagen, Denmark. During the study participants were initially given a diet that didn’t contain sources of antioxidants.
The researchers noticed that when the subjects were on the restricted diet, their oxidative stress markers rose, but when parsley was added to their diets during the second half of the study, it was found to help reverse the signs of oxidative stress thanks to its status as a high-antioxidant food.
2. Provides Beneficial Essential Oils that Fight Cancer
Parsley contains unique elements in its oil known as volatile oil components — myristicin, limonene, eugenol and alpha-thujene. These powerful oil components benefit the body’s immune system and help fight cancer formation, in particular by slowing tumor growth, neutralizing oxidative stress and fighting off carcinogens, according to research studies.
This herb is sometimes called a “chemoprotective” plant because it helps protect DNA from damage, stops cell mutation and helps induce apoptosis, or the death of harmful cells.
One of this herb’s beneficial compounds, called apigenin, has been found to “inhibit progestin-dependent synthesis of human breast cancer cells, significantly delaying the development of, and decreasing the incidence and multiplicity of mammary tumors,” according to research done in 2013 by the American Association of Cancer.
3. Acts as Natural Diuretic and Helps Relieve Bloating
Strong evidence exists that parsley can be used as a natural diuretic to help relieve water retention and ease bloating, according to a 2002 review done at the American University of Beirut.
In the study, people given parsley seed extract showed a significant increase in the volume of urine they produced over the 24 hours following.
Parsley benefits digestive health because it helps stimulate kidney production of urine and draws excess water out of the abdomen, where it can cause discomfort and indigestion.
4. Improves Digestion and Kidney Health
Parsley and its essential oil are used to treat a number of gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders, including gas, constipation, bloating, indigestion and nausea.
According to Ayurveda practices, parsley benefits digestion because the essential oil can help increase bile production and beneficial gastric juices that are needed for proper enzyme functions involved in food and nutrient absorption. The essential oil can be added to a bath or diluted and rubbed on the stomach area for relief.
Why is parsley good for the kidneys? According to studies, parsley benefits for the kidneys include potentially lowering your risk of kidney stones and helping regulate the body’s pH level by reducing acidity.
A 2017 study concluded that “parsley acts as antiurolithiatic drug through decreasing urinary calcium excretion, increasing urinary pH, dieresis, decreasing urinary protein excretion and via its nephroprtective activity.”
5. Has Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties
Parsley benefits skin and dental health by fighting off infections and bacteria. Its essential oils are believed to be effective at eliminating fungus — plus it clears up bacteria-caused blemishes on the skin.
The parsley oil held within the plant’s leaves, roots and seeds is considered antimicrobial. It’s used in soaps, detergents, perfumes and other hygiene products for its ability to kill bacteria and odors.
Parsley oil is very strong and can cause a skin reaction or topical burn. As such, do not apply it directly to the skin.
Instead mix it with a carrier oil like coconut, olive or almond oil, and then apply to the skin in order to avoid any reactions.
6. Helps Reduce Bad Breath
Another one of the many parsley benefits is that it’s a great way for how to get rid of bad breath. It is a natural breath freshener because it kills the bacteria in the mouth that cause odors.
7. Good Source of Bone-Protecting Vitamin K
Parsley provides high levels of vitamin K, an essential nutrient for maintaining bone density, fighting bone breaks and fractures. As a vitamin K food, this nutrient works together with the other bone-building nutrients in the herb — calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D and magnesium.
8. Contains Immune-Boosting Vitamin C
Parsley benefits your immune defenses due to its high levels of antioxidants, including vitamin C and vitamin A. Vitamin C helps maintain a healthy gut environment, where much of the immune system is actually located.
High intakes of vitamin C foods correlate with lower levels of inflammation and help prevent diseases like atherosclerosis (dangerous plaque buildup in the arteries), arthritis, colon cancer, diabetes and asthma.
9. Helps Protect Eye and Skin Health by Providing Vitamin A
Parsley benefits for eyes are due to its high content of two antioxidants — pro-vitamin A carotenoid and beta-carotene — that are used by the body to boost eye health. These antioxidants protect the retina and cornea from damage as someone ages, helping prevent eye disorders like macular degeneration and cataracts.
Vitamin A also fights signs of aging on the skin, protects eyes and skin from UV light damage, and may be able to help prevent skin cancer.
10. Provides Folate Needed for Heart Health
Because it’s a vital B vitamin that plays a critical role in protecting your heart, folate deficiency is very dangerous. Parsley benefits cardiovascular health because we need folate in order to convert homocysteine, a type of amino acid found in the blood.
Homocysteine is a potentially troublesome molecule that can cause damage to blood vessels when uncontrolled, potentially leading to a heart attack or stroke.
11. Helps Balance Hormones
Parsley seeds have traditionally been used as an important spice in Asian countries and in India for normalizing menstruation, treating amenorrhea (loss of menstrual cycle) and decreasing menstrual pain. It’s believed to help balance hormones — important for fertility and preventing symptoms of PMS.
Another one of the parsley benefits? Since it helps prevent neural tube defects that can result when a folate deficiency takes place, the folate within this herb is also important for a healthy pregnancy.
