Parsley anticancer herb

Mon. Feb. 6, 2012

(NaturalHealth365) Parsley should be valued for more than a decorative addition to a plate. The value of parsley is vastly underrated. The natural ability of parsley to strengthen the immune system, eliminate toxins and protects us from cancer makes it a powerful herb.

Parsley is native to the East Mediterranean area. It is widely used in Middle Eastern, European and American cooking. Though, for the most part it is used as a garnish sprinkled on top of various dishes. It is uses as a decorative accent on potato dishes, rice dishes, fish, lamb, meat or pasta dishes. Parsley is a key ingredient in Middle Eastern salads such as tabbouleh. When cooked it is used in chicken soup, meat stocks, and sauces.

The two most familiar types of parsley are curly parsley and Italian flat leaf parsley. The Italian variety is known to be less bitter than the curly variety. The United States along with Canada and Europe are the main suppliers of parsley.

Components

Parsley contains some very unusual components, which can provide some very effective and protective health benefits. The first one is a volatile oil, which contains myristicin, limonene, eugenol, and alpha-thuiene. The second type is flavonoids, which include apiin, apigenin, cisoceriol and luteolin.

Parsley has a good amount of vitamin C, more than lemon, orange and other fruits. It has large amounts of pro vitamin A, vitamin B, E, K, beta-carotene, magnesium, phosphorous, iron, manganese, sodium, potassium, sulfur and calcium. It is a good stimulant, diuretic, and antiseptic.

We know parsley is used for good breath, but the truth is parsley may keep you breathing for a longer time. The parsley plants health benefits is probably the best kept secret.

Health Benefits

Oil extracted from its seed has been used in medicines that treat malaria and jaundice.

Parsley (especially oil extracted from its seed, called Apiol) has been used in medicines that treat a variety of illnesses including malaria, and jaundice. A poultice made from the leaves was for a time used in France to reduce the effects of poisonous insect bites.

Parsley’s volatile oils in particular myristicin has been shown to inhibit tumor formation in animal studies, especially tumors in the lungs. The volatile oil is one of the reasons it qualifies as a chemoprotective food. The parsley herb can help neutralize certain carcinogens such as benzophrenes, which compose cigarette and charcoal grill smoke.

Salman Hyder, a University of Missouri researcher found that apigenin a compound found in both celery and parsley fights breast cancer tumor growth. The compound works to block new blood vessel formation in tumors. Dr. Hyder’s study is in Cancer Prevention Research.

Parsley strengthens the body’s immune system and is beneficial for the liver, spleen, digestive and endocrine organs. Parsley seems to act as a super tonic and by consuming this herb you can breathe easier knowing you are making a positive contribution to your level of health.

Parsley seems like the perfect supplement to blast your body with vitamins, minerals and powerful oils that give your cells what they need. This is a lifestyle fix which can make amazing things happen.

About the author Blanche has been a student of natural healing modalities for the last 25 years. She had the privilege of working with some of the greatest minds in Natural Healing including Naturopaths, Scientist, and Energy Healers. Having seen people miraculously heal from all kinds of dis-ease through non-invasive methods, her passion now is to help people become aware of what it takes to be healthy.