HEALTH BENEFITS OF PARSLEY

Parsley is a leafy vegetable which over the years has been seen as an herb in which the leaf, seed, and root are used to making medicine. The name of the plant was
derived from the Greek word which means "rock celery" (parsley is a relative to celery). It is an herb which is originated from the Mediterranean region of southern Italy, Algeria, and Tunisia. Do not confuse parsley with fool's parsley and parsley piert. The leaves of this plant is dark-green in color, used in Mediterranean, East European, and American cuisine. It is known as one of the functional food for its exceptional antioxidants, and disease averting properties.
There are two forms in which parsley can be used such as the leaf parsley and root parsley. Both the leaf and the root are used in Mediterranean and European cuisines. There are several ways of consuming it including garnishing, salads, stocks, and sandwiches. Most people use parsley as a garnish, condiment, food, and flavoring but did not know the vitamins and health benefits it has. Apart from using it to garnish, there are vital vitamins this plant offers such as Vitamin C, vitamin B12, vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin E, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, choline, folates, calcium, iron, magnesium magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and copper. It is also a very good source of volatile compounds which includes myristicin, limonene, eugenol, and alpha-thujene and the leaves contain energy, carbohydrates, fat, and protein.
While parsley is a wonderfully nutritious and healing food, it is often under-appreciated. Most people do not realize that this vegetable has more uses than just being a decorative garnish that accompanies restaurant meals. They do not know that parsley is actually a storehouse of nutrients and that it features a delicious green and vibrant taste. Parsley essential oil, when massaged into the scalp, may reduce hair loss. It can also be applied to directly to the skin for cracked skin, bruises, tumors, insect bites, lice, parasites and to enhance the growth of the hair.  Manufacturing industries also use parsley seed as a fragrance in soaps, cosmetics and perfumes. Some of the health benefits of parsley includes:
 1) Reduces the risk of cancer: the presence of flavonoid which is also known as apigenin in parsley which possesses anticancer properties helps in lowering cancer risk. A regular consumption of parsley can decrease the risk of cancers like breast, alimentary canal, prostate, and skin cancer in the body. In addition, it is also a strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
2) Enhances the Immune System: it has been proven that Parsley essential oil can help suppress an overstimulated immune response, which makes it a crucial player in the fight against allergies, auto-immune and persistent inflammatory disorders hereby boosting the immune system.
3) Conquer Inflammation: studies have proven that parsley includes a volatile oil called eugenol which has antiarthritic properties and powerful anti-inflammatory  benefits, and can significantly curb swelling within the joints, hereby, helps to lessen the swelling and pain related to arthritis.
4) Protects the Blood Vessels: Parsley help generates vitamin B (folic acid). This acid can help you to reduce homocysteine. Homocysteine is just a naturally occurring amino acid within the human body, but blood vessels can be damaged by high levels in the blood, raising the danger of stroke and heart attack.
5) Healthy Heart: the folate or folacin present in parsley helps convert high level of homocysteine in the body into harmless molecules. A routine garnish of parsley will help defend against cardiovascular issues like stroke, coronary attack, and atherosclerosis.
Consumption of parsley especially in large quantities, may have side effects and disadvantages such as skin extra sensitive to sun which may cause the formation of a rash, Headaches, Kidney Damage, Convulsions etc.
Parsley can be found in several conveinant forms based on your needs. It can be found in organic flakes, capsule supplement, herbal tea, grow your own or parsley oil.
When you increase the consumption of foods that are grown from the earth versus manufactured food, the healthier you will be. Incorporate parsley into your diet today and remain healthy!