Parsley tea is a type of herbal tea that is comprised of parsley, a biannual plant with curly or flat leaves. The purpose for consuming parsley tea is to boost the immune system, detoxify the body, deter urinary stone formation, alleviate and prevent certain diseases such as cancer, eliminate respiratory illnesses, regulate the digestive system, and even help with hormonal balance. Although parsley tea is a well-known method of preventing infections and diseases, it also has its placed in the culinary world, providing flavor, color, and a light, fresh scent to a variety of foods, such as meats, soups, salads, smoothies and other forms of sustenance.
What Is Parsley And Where Does It Come From?
Parsley is a biannual plant that grows in the Mediterranean regions of Italy, Greece, Tunisia, Portugal, Spain, Morocco, and Algeria. It is widely grown for medicinal as well as culinary purposes and is typically used as an herb, spice, or vegetable and is part of the same family as the dill. Parsley is so popularly cultivated that it still remains a staple in many Asian, European, Middle Eastern and American cuisines. Although this herb is often dismissed as a mere staple, it contains a wealth of nutrients.
Recipes will often call for either flat-leaf (Italian parsley) or the curly variety. Although both types impart a delicious flavor and valuable nutrients, there are key differences to consider. While the curly variety of parsley is associated as a garnish, the flat-leaf version lends more flavor to dishes. Although the curly variety of parsley can taste more bitter than it's counterpart, it's really a matter of it's growing conditions and age. However, both types can be easily interchangeable to make parsley tea or in recipes and when it comes down to offering the best flavor and texture for your dish, it's all a matter of what will work best.
The Benefits Of Parsley Tea
Parsley tea consists of the herb that is steeped in hot water until it is fully infused with the herb's benefits. Like many teas, parsley tea contains many benefits and nutrients that make it so beneficial. Whether you choose to utilize dry or crushed leaves, there is no shortage of what this herb can do medicinally. Some of its advantages include:
- Anti-inflammatory properties due to its diuretic quality, which enables the body to flush out toxins and acquire the tea's antioxidant benefits that help reduce inflammation and helps fight infections and illnesses such as cancer. Parsley contains a substantial amount of chlorophyll which, which not only helps plants to absorb energy from light, in order to thrive but also helps ward off conditions, such as anemia.
- Regulated digestion which helps to eliminate kidney stones and relieve flatulence, acid reflux and bloating by eliminating gas in the digestive tract. Additionally, parsley tea helps to prevent acid reflux, nausea, and diarrhea due to its ability to help move food through the intestinal tract and flush out toxins.
- Circulatory Improvement-Poor circulation can lead to many symptoms, such as headaches, chronic pain, and numbness. Parsley contains apigenin, a flavonoid which helps not only to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and hypertension, it helps to decrease the presence of viruses, bacteria, tumors and slows down the progression of certain cancers.
- Increased Heart Health due to an abundance of and myristicin, which aids in cognitive function in preventing conditions such as Alzheimer's, depression, and cancer. Myristicin also keeps cells from oxidizing, therefore preventing heart disease. If you are currently taking heart medication or blood thinners, make sure to talk to your doctor about the benefits and warnings of consuming parsley tea since it can thin the blood.
- Hormonal Regulation which helps promote hormonal balance which is important for fertility, menstruation, and PMS. parsley also increases estrogen and promotes liver function as well as a regular menstruation cycle and alleviate PMS symptoms, such as bloating and fatigue. If you are on hormone replacement therapy, talk to your doctor if you plan to consume parsley tea as this can have an adverse effect on your overall wellbeing.
- Strengthened Immunity due to parsley's vitamin C, vitamin K, and calcium content, which promotes healthy bones and muscle tissue. Parsley also contains a wealth of vitamin A, a form of iron and folate, both vital nutrients in obtaining the vitality of blood vessels as well as increasing cell regeneration and growth.
- External Benefits which staves off insect bites, fights acne, scarring as well as the presence of discoloration. Parsley also alleviates the presence of ulcers, as well as dry cracked skin that has been affected by environmental harm and premature aging.
Recipe For Parsley Tea
Parsley teas is a delicious remedy for a variety of ailments, as well as the ideal solution for a soothing and relaxing beverage. With all of what parsley tea has to offer, there is no shortage of what you can gain from this versatile green. Parsley tea may also be enriched with lemons, honey, ginger and other produce for added flavor. Before you begin to make your tea, be sure to thoroughly wash your parsley beforehand.
What You'll Need
- About 2-4 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley leaves
- About a cup of water
- lemons, honey, ginger (optional)
What To Do
- In a small saucepan or tea kettle, bring the water to a boil.
- Place your parsley into your cup of choice.
- Once the water begins to boil or steam, pour it over your parsley. Then allow steeping for about 5 minutes.
- If you choose to do so, reinfuse the same leaves with another cup of boiling water. it will be lighter and less flavorful but still just as healthy.
Side Effects Of Parsley Tea
As with any type of herbal tea, if you are currently on medication, always check with your doctor before beginning a holistic program. Additionally, if you are prone to conditions of the liver, kidneys or have anemia, keep the dosage low to prevent any adverse complications. You don't have to drink the tea alone if you find it's flavor somewhat offputting. Try adding honey, peppermint or whatever type of herb you find ideal to enhance its flavor. You may also use the tea for other things such as soups, fish, rice as well as an accompaniment to a meal.
While parsley tea is very beneficial for your emotional and physical well-being, it isn't necessary to consume every day, in order to get your body acclimated to its effects. However, you may consume up to 3 cups per day for about a week, then allow your body to rest for a couple or a few days, then begin consuming again. This will get your body used to parsley tea wonderful advantages without overdoing it.
Parsley tea is a refreshing way to soak up the benefits of the herb if you choose to not eat it. With the advantage of enacting as a holistic treatment for a variety of ailments to adding a crisp flavor to a variety of meals, parsley is a highly underrated vegetable that you'll want to immediately begin incorporating into your daily intake. Try parsley tea for a start and begin absorbing all the nutrients that it has to offer alone or with a meal.