All About Parsley | Know Your Spice Ajmood (Petroselinum crispum)

Parsley or Petroselinum crispum is mainly an herb, which is traditionally not much accepted in India, but it has acquired popularity only recently in urban areas due to global influence.

It is extensively cultivated for its leaves, which are used as a garnish or for flavouring food. One variety, the Hamburg parsley (Petroselinum crispum var. tuberosum) is cultivated for its edible root.

While there are more than 40 varieties, two are most widely used in cooking: Curled Leaf, the usual garnish, and Plain-leaf or Italian, favored by cooks for its more intense, freshening flavor.

Parsley is commonly used for garnishing and seasoning of foods. It is also eaten fresh incorporated in salad and used as an ingredient in soups, stews and sauces.

According to ancient Greek legend, parsley sprang from the blood shed by the fallen hero Archemorus when he was eaten by serpents.

The ancient Greeks held the plant sacred, and parsley was never placed on their tables.

Greeks did not eat parsley but would use it to crown victors and scatter over tombs of the dead. To the Romans it was a common food.

Both Greek and Romans believed parsley would absorb wine fumes, preventing intoxication, so they placed bunches on their banquet tables or wore garlands around their necks.

The early Greeks made crowns of parsley to bestow upon the winners of the Nemena and Isthmian sports games, in the same manner that bay wreaths honored the Olympians.

Parsley is used in the Hebrew celebration of Passover as a symbol of spring and rebirth. It is mentioned as one of the plants in the gardens of Charlemagne and Catherine de Medici.

Rumor has it that Medici is responsible for popularizing parsley when she brought it back to France from its native Italy.

As far back as Hippocrates parsley was used in medicinal recipes for cure-alls, general tonics, poison antidotes, anti-rheumatics and formulas to relieve kidney and bladder stones.

One herbalist used the small brown seeds of the plant to help “those who are light-headed to resist drink better.”

In medieval times, parsley was believed to bring bad luck.

• Most people recognize parsley as a green decorative garnish with a delicious, vibrant taste.
• Parsley is used extensively in French and Italian dishes.
• It is used for stews, sauces, salads, sandwiches, potatoes, grilled meats, poultry, fish, soups, herbal butters, vinegars and more.
• The taproot, leaves, and seeds of parsley are used medicinally.
• Tea may be used as an enema. Chinese and German herbalists recommend parsley tea to help control high blood pressure, and the Cherokee Indians used it as a tonic to strengthen the bladder.
• The juice of the fresh leaves is used as an insecticide.
• An advisory panel on herbal medicines, German Commission E, has approved parsley for use in the prevention and treatment of kidney stones (Hanrahan and Frey 2005).
• Parsley may used as an emmenagogue and can bring on delayed menstruation (Hanrahan and Frey 2005).
• Oil from the seeds is used to scent Oriental style perfumes and colognes.
• Because of the high clorofil content, it acts as a great breath freshener.

Parsley tastes sweet, spicy and warm with a slight tingling spiciness in the background. The smooth-leaved one is more intense and full of flavour. The root tastes similar to the leaves.

Properly stored, fresh parsley will usually keep well for about 7 to 10 days in the refrigerator.

Properly stored, frozen parsley will maintain best quality for about 4 to 6 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.

Wrap the parsley herbs loosely in the dampened paper towels and place them in a resealable bag. Seal the bag and refrigerate.

To freeze fresh parsley:

• Wash, trim and chop the parsley;
• Allow to dry thoroughly;
• Once dry, place in heavy-duty freezer bags or freeze in ice cube trays with a small amount of water, then transfer to freezer bags.

Cilantro, celery leaves, and carrot greens are excellent replacements for parsley as a garnish.

Meanwhile, chervil and chives — either fresh or dried — are the most ideal parsley substitutes for culinary purposes.

The herb can be found fresh or in dried and powdered form from local markets and specialty grocers, and in dried form through supermarkets and online retailers.

If buying online try amazon here.

The following are health benefits of Parsley Spice (Petroselinum crispum) or Ajmood

• Health Benefits of Parsley as an Antioxidant – Parsley is rich in many antioxidant vitamins, including vitamin-A, β-carotene, vitamin-C, vitamin-E, zeaxanthin, lutein, and cryptoxanthin.
• Health Benefits of Ajmood for Diabetes – The myricetin present in parsley has also been examined for use in the treatment and prevention of diabetes.
• Health Benefits of Parsley for Heart Health – Parsley may be very helpful in protecting your heart. A comparative study showed that parsley may be much more effective than carob in lowering high cholesterol levels.
• Health Benefits of Parsley for Eye Health: Many studies suggest that parsley is rich in vitamin A, and antioxidants like carotenoid as well as beta-carotene. These compounds can help to boost eye health and may protect the retina from disorders like macular degeneration and cataracts.
• Health Benefits of Ajmood as an Anti-inflammatory Agent – Parsley is filled with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that includes essential compounds that are known for anti-inflammatory abilities.
• Health Benefits of Parsley as an Antimicrobial Agent – Extracts and oils from the Ajmood plant show moderate antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.
• Health Benefits of Petroselinum crispum for Kidney Health – Parsley may help to keep your kidneys healthy. It is a known diuretic.
• Health Benefits of Parsley against Cancer – Myricetin is a flavonoid found in parsley and other plants. It has been shown to help prevent skin cancer. Parsley contains one of the highest concentrations of myricetin per 100 grams.
• Health Benefits of Petroselinum crispum for Bone Health – Research suggests that parsley extracts can aid in the treatment of bone health problems. The herb contains calcium, ergosterol (a precursor of vitamin D), and vitamin C, which can collectively help to keep your bones strong.
• Health Benefits of Parsley for Brain Health – Apigenin, a potent flavone in parsley, can help improve neuron formation and may enhance brain functions such as memory and learning.
• Health Benefits of Parsley for Menstruation – Parsley has emmenagogue properties that stimulate blocked menstruation and regularize the menstrual cycle.
• Health Benefits of Parsley for Skin & Hair Care – A 2017 study shows that parsley is being tried for alleviating epidermal melasma. The paste made from powdered seeds of this plant has long been used as a natural remedy for hair lice, dandruff, and scalp irritation.
• Health Benefits of Parsley for Weight Loss: Parsley is also used in many shakes, juices, and smoothies as a healthy weight loss ingredient.