Petroselinum, Parsley

Picture Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491

Picture Parsley
New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563

 Picture Macedonian Parsley
New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563
Picture Darstellung und Beschreibung Pharmacopoea Borussica, Berg, 1861

Picture PARSLEY ROOT
1, Longitudinal section with recurved cortex and ridge
of pith. 2. Annulate surface.  3. Transverse section
showing round resin cavities.
Squibb’s Atlas of the Official Drugs, Mansfield, 1919
Picture Members CLICK HERE for the PRO VERSION

Botanical name:


Petroselinum spp.
  1. Garden Parsley: P. hortense (P. crispum and P. sativum used similarly)
  2. Macedonian Parsley: P. macedonicum
  3. Stone Parsley: Sison amomum

Parts used:


Root; Seed

Temperature & Taste:


Warm, dry. Pungent, Sweet. Mountain and Macedonian Parsley were regarded as warmest

Classifications:


2D ATTENUATERS OF CONGEALED BLOOD.    2K. RESOLVENT.    2Q. ANODYNE
3A. SUDORIFICS & DIAPHORETICS.    3F. LITHONTRIPTIC.    3G. EMMENAGOGUE.    3H. LACTAGOGUE
4i. UTERINE

Uses:


1. Clears Damp, Warms the Kidneys, Promotes Urine:
-obstructed Urine; difficult, painful or dribbling Urine; Cystitis
-Edema, Prostatitis
-Gravel, Stone of Bladder and Gall Bladder (seed is stronger)
-seed is used for Rheumatic complaints (similarly to Celery seed)

2. Clears Wind, Phlegm and Damp, Opens Obstructions:
-Root is one of the Opening Roots; opens the Liver and Spleen
-Hepatic; used for Jaundice, Cachexia
-Dizziness, Epilepsy, Migraines, Hypertension, Cachexia, Lethargy

3. Moves Qi, Warms the Kidneys, Promotes Menstruation:
-good for obstructed Menstruation; delayed or painful Menstruation
-Parsley wine was regarded as Aphrodisiac; Parsley was classically used for Infertility

4. Clears Cold Phlegm, Stops Cough:
-opens the Lungs, Coughs, Asthma

5. Resists Poison
-the various Parsley’s were used as Alexipharmics (especially seeds)
-Juice was taken at the beginning of the Fit in Intermittent Fevers (3 oz., then go to bed and sweat)

6. Strengthens the Eyesight. (Seed)

7. Externally:
-Black Eyes
-juice dropped into the Eyes it quicken the sight
-applied to stop Falling Hair
-laid on the Breast to stop Milk; ‘Women use it when they wean Children’. (Schroder)


Dose:


Root and Seed can generally be taken in similar doses.
Powder: 1–4 grams
Decoction: 3–9 grams
Of the Juice: 1–3 oz.

Comment:


1. Root is more tonifying and better to open obstructions; it warms and strengthens the Kidneys
2. Seed is warmer, better for Stones, and better to ease Wind, Colic and Pain
3. Macedonian Parsley was regarded as best to promote Menstruation
4. Culpeper said in his time the seeds of Alexander (Smyrnium olisatrum) was usually sold as Macedonian Parsley seed by the Apothecaries.
Picture

Main Combinations:


Opening Roots – Five & Two
Asparagus root & Parsley root

1. The Root is one of the Opening Roots: ‘5 Opening Roots’, Parsley root with Celery, Fennel, Broom, and Asparagus. These were used to open obstructions, especially of the Urinary system. The ‘2 Opening Roots’ are Parsley and Fennel.
2. To promote Urine in Edema, for Stones, open obstructions of the Liver and Spleen; Parsley  … available in PRO version
3. To cleanse the Kidneys, Parsley  … available in PRO version
4. Promote Urine and clear Stones, Parsley  … available in PRO version
5. Bladder infections and Gonorrhea, Parsley  … available in PRO version
6. Edema:
i. Parsley  … available in PRO version
ii. Parsley with  … available in PRO version
iii. Parsley seed with  … available in PRO version
7. Gravel and Stones:
i. Parsley seed with  … available in PRO version
ii. Parsley seed with  … available in PRO version
8. Infertility, Parsley seed with  … available in PRO version
9. To promote Menstruation, Parsley with  … available in PRO version
10. Liver obstruction, Parsley   … available in PRO version
11. Liver disease, Parsley  … available in PRO version
12. Melancholy, Parsley with  … available in PRO version

Major Formulas:


Decoction of Parsley Compound
Decoction of Parsley and Thyme
Decoction of Parsley and Radish seed
Syrup of Two Opening Roots
Syrup of Five Opening Roots
Syrup of Mugwort (Augustana)
Stone–Breaking Powder (Lithontripticon) (Nicholas)
Powder of Lord George of Elt (Gabelhover)
Electuary for the Eyes (Grulingus)
Electuary for Back Pain (Galen)
The Queen of Colen’s Electuary
Antidote Suitable for Cough (Nicholas)
Antimoron (Nicholas)

Cautions:


1. Oil or Juice should not be used during Pregnancy.

Main Preparations used:


Distilled Water of the Whole Plant