Parsley

Petroselinum crispum

Herbs & Roots. Western & European.

Also called Flat-leaf parsley, Curly parsley, Italian parsley, Garden parsley

Pinyin: Ōu Qín

Spanish: Perejil

Vitamin K can blunt warfarin

A green herb from the carrot family, used as a garnish and eaten as a food rich in vitamins K and C.

Did you know? Old folk sayings claimed parsley seeds had to travel to the devil and back before they would sprout.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

Kidneys, bladder & UTIs. Used as a mild water pill for bloating and kidney complaints. Modern trials are missing.
Traditional proof
Mouth, gums & teeth. Chewing parsley for bad breath is a popular idea. No good trials support it.
Not supported

Parts of the body

Kidneys & bladder, Mouth & throat

Traditional use

Western herbalists used parsley as a diuretic, a mild water pill, and for bloating and kidney complaints. Some old herbals also used it to bring on periods, a use now seen as risky.

How it is classified

Herbal actions: Diuretic, Nutritive, Antioxidant. Energy: neutral.

How people take it

Used as a garnish and herb in salads, sauces, soups and tabbouleh. Root is eaten as a vegetable in parts of Europe. No medicine dose is set.

Food, tea and juice.

Where to get it

Native to the Mediterranean and grown worldwide. Sold fresh as flat-leaf or curly, dried, and in health stores as teas, juices and extracts.

Be careful

Food amounts are fine for most people, but parsley is high in vitamin K, which can blunt warfarin, a blood thinner. Concentrated parsley oil (apiol) can damage the liver and kidneys, and very large amounts may cause miscarriage. Handling large amounts and then going into strong sun can cause a burn-like rash.

Avoid if: pregnancy (large amounts or extracts); kidney disease.

Mixing with other things

Works well together
A classic tabbouleh pairing with bulgur, lemon and olive oil.
Works well together
Core herbs in chimichurri and other herb sauces.
Works well together
A common combination in herb sauces, soups and butters.
Works well together
Core herbs in bouquet garni, along with thyme.
Use caution
Blood thinners (warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix, daily aspirin)
Very high in vitamin K, which can reduce warfarin's effect. Keep intake steady and tell your clinic about big changes.

The honest take

Parsley is a nutritious food with real vitamin K and vitamin C. Claims that it clears kidney stones, bloating or bad breath are mostly tradition or untested. Medicine-size doses and extracts carry real risks.