Parsley is considered one of the most popular spices in cooking. However, recently, the curly variety of parsley has been listed as a crop that contains potent narcotic components and poisons. Is a garden plant really a drug-containing one, and is there any benefit from it? Later in the article.

Description and chemical composition of parsley

Curly parsley is a biennial herbaceous culture of the Umbrella family, whose natural habitat is the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The plant in the first year of growth forms a rosette of curly, cirrus leaves of green color with a shiny surface. In the second year of growth, a flower-bearing stem appears, the height of which can reach 1 m. During flowering, small-sized white-green flowers are collected on the crop, collected in umbrella inflorescences.

The variety of curly parsley has been known to mankind since the 6th century, when it was first discovered by the inhabitants of the Mediterranean coast and began to be used to improve the taste and aroma of various dishes. It is worth noting that at first I liked the spicy herb not for its taste, but for its original appearance and specific smell. Thanks to such an unusual appearance, this parsley was successfully used for the decoration of flower beds, front gardens, parks, etc.

Did you know? 100 g of parsley contains 2 daily standards of vitamin A, which is responsible for the youth of the body and the prevention of premature aging.

Parsley is widely known not only as a fragrant spice, but also as a medicinal plantused in traditional medicine for the treatment of many diseases. Its high healing properties are explained by its rich chemical composition.

The greenery of this spicy herb contains:

• vitamins - groups B, A, E, PP, ascorbic acid;
• minerals - potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus;
• flavonoids;
• pectin components;
• essential oils.

The root of the plant is rich in unique essential oils., which include apiol, minsoli, carotene, retinol, apigenin. The composition of parsley seeds is represented by essential oils, flavonoids, fatty oils and glycosides.

Varieties of Curly Parsley

There are a dozen varieties of this type of greenery cultivated by domestic gardeners. The following varieties of curly parsley are among the most popular.

"Kucheryavets"

"Kucheryavets" - a variety of curly parsley, which is characterized by excellent frost resistance, resistance to many ailments and pests. The plant belongs to crops with a medium early maturity. The vegetative period is 50-60 days after sowing seeds.

The variety is distinguished by large, corrugated leaves of saturated green color and voluminous bushes.. Its peculiarity is that the leaves and stems are able to maintain valuable properties and a pleasant aroma for a long time. The same applies to the plant in the form of dried seasoning - it does not lose its characteristic smell and pleasant taste for several months.

Mooskrause 2

“Mooskrause 2” belongs to the category of mid-ripening plants, with a vegetation period of 65–70 days. The variety was bred from Germany. Spicy grass is distinguished by its extremely beautiful appearance - with a rather compact, slightly spreading rosette of corrugated leaves of bright green color. The plant has a wonderful strong aroma and high decorativeness.

Important! It is recommended to eat greens of the Mooskrause 2 variety when the leaf height is at least 10–12 cm.

One of the main advantages of the Mooskrause 2 variety is its high resistance to drought, the ability to tolerate low temperatures, and resistance to many diseases. In the culinary field, this plant is highly regarded as a fortified, fragrant, tasty and healthy seasoning.

Useful and harmful properties of curly parsley

The rich chemical composition of curly grass determines a wide range of its beneficial properties that positively affect the human body.

• Regular consumption of this greens allows you to:
• Normalize the digestive tract. Due to the mild laxative effect, spice makes it possible to eliminate constipation, establish the work of the gastrointestinal tract, and enhance metabolic processes.
• Improve the functioning of the genitourinary system and urinary tract. Essential oils of the plant have diuretic properties, which allows it to be used for disorders of the bladder, kidney and liver ailments.
• To normalize the work of the cardiovascular system. The use of fragrant greens significantly improves heart function, reduces congestion, and helps with heart edema.
• Stimulate gastric secretion, reduce gas formation in the intestines, stimulate appetite.
• Strengthen blood vessels and capillaries, improve blood composition, positively affect blood formation.
• Improve vision, restore visual function.
• Cleanse the body of harmful substances and toxins, relieve symptoms of intoxication.
• Accelerate metabolic processes, thereby saving you from a few extra pounds.

Did you know? Parsley in large quantities contains a unique amino acid - histidine, which is not produced by the human body. This substance promotes tissue growth and repair.. Histidine must be obtained from food, and it is herbs that are considered the most valuable supplier of this amino acid.

Due to the high content of ascorbic acid, this greens strengthens the immune system, increases the protective functions of the body, and helps fight viruses and bacteria.. It has a pronounced anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-aging, choleretic, sedative effect. Parsley has a beneficial effect on sexual function, increases male strength, regulates the menstrual cycle, improves libido.

In addition, the plant is successfully used in folk cosmetology to moisturize, rejuvenate, tighten, whiten and cleanse the skin, to get rid of inflammation and acne, regenerate and renew the skin.

Along with a wide range of useful qualities, in some cases, spicy greens can harm the human body.

• With caution, the plant should be taken:
• pregnant - it can provoke a contraction of the uterus;
• with nephritis and kidney disease in the acute stage;
• in acute inflammation of the bladder - due to the diuretic action, it increases the load on the organs of the system.

Is parsley a drug-containing plant?

Recently, curly parsley has been included in the list of drug-containing plants. However, it is noted that not all parsley was included in this list, but only its fruits - seeds, from which a special oil with narcotic properties is prepared. Of course, the plant itself is not a drug, but at the same time it serves as a raw material for the preparation of oil dangerous to human health.

Expert Advice

Despite the fact that the seeds of spicy grass are recognized by the Rospotrebnadzor as a drug-containing substance, today the cultivation of the crop is not illegal. Therefore, any gardener can sow curly sprouts in the gardens.

Parsley is a very useful, highly vitaminized greens, which is not only possible, but also needs to be consumed regularly. It brings undeniable benefits to the human body and at the same time is easy to cultivate and care.

If desired, anyone can grow greenery on his windowsill. In this case, you can apply not only the green mass, but also the root, stems, and also the seeds of the plant. However, experts advise, if necessary, to prepare a decoction or infusion based on seeds, to use the seed material of ordinary parsley, and not curly.

Important! Only the gardener who is engaged in mass cultivation of spices in order to obtain a large volume of seeds can be held criminally responsible for growing this greenery.

So, curly parsley is an affordable and healing spicy herb that can become an indispensable tool in the culinary, cosmetic and traditional medicine fields. The unique chemical composition of the plant, simple care for crops and ease of cultivation make this spice a welcome guest in the garden of every domestic summer resident.