Parsley

What are other names for this remedy?

Type of medicine: natural remedy

Scientific and common names: Petroselinum crispum, Apium petroselinum, Carum petroselinum, Petroselini herba, Petrosilini radix, Petroselinum hortense, Petroselinum sativum, common parsley, garden parsley, persely, persil, rock parsley, petersylinge

What is parsley?

Parsley is an herb. Parsley leaves are often used as a flavoring for sauces and soups, and as a garnish for vegetables or salads. The seeds, leaf, and root of the plant are used medicinally.

What is it used for?

Parsley has been used to treat:

• arthritis
• bruises
• constipation
• cough
• cracked or chapped skin
• gas or indigestion
• insect bites
• iron deficiency anemia
• irregular menstrual periods
• jaundice
• kidney problems and kidney stones
• lice and parasites
• muscle pain
• urinary tract infections

Parsley is a source of dietary calcium, iron, ascorbic acid, and vitamin A.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve uses for natural remedies. The FDA does not inspect or regulate natural remedies the way they do prescription medicines.

How is it taken?

Do not use garden seeds as they are treated with chemicals. Parsley comes in the form of tablets and tea. Check the label on the package for the specific dose.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

Parsley seems to be safe for most adults. Very high doses of parsley can be poisonous. In some people, parsley can cause allergic skin reactions.

Do not take parsley if you have:

• a bleeding disorder
• kidney or liver disease

Parsley increases fluid loss. Talk to your provider before taking this remedy if you have high blood pressure or edema.

Parsley may make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which may lead to painful sunburns. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. Wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen lotion when you need to be outdoors. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your healthcare provider right away.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this remedy.

Females of childbearing age: Do not take this remedy in a concentrated form if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. You may eat parsley as a flavoring in foods.

Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any natural remedy that you are using or thinking about using. If your provider does not tell you how to take it, follow the directions that come with the package. Do not take more or take it longer than recommended. Ask about anything you do not understand. Remember:

• Natural remedies are not always safe.
• You should not take them if you are pregnant or breast-feeding without your healthcare provider's approval. They should not be taken by infants, children, or older adults without your provider's approval.
• They affect your body and may interact with prescription medicines that you take.
• Natural remedies are not standardized and may have different strengths and effects. They may be contaminated.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its desirable effects, this remedy may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the remedy. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious: When taken in large amounts, parsley may cause chills, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, yellow skin or eyes, dark or bloody urine, unusual bruising or bleeding, swelling, pain when urinating, deafness, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there), slow heart rate, lightheadedness, paralysis.

Other: Dizziness, tiredness, sensitivity to sunlight, headache, trouble concentrating, pale skin, leg cramps, trouble sleeping.

What products might interact with this remedy?

When you take this remedy with other medicines, it can change the way the remedy or the medicines work. Vitamins and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Before taking this remedy, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming such as aspirin, heparin, ticlopidine (Ticlid), enoxaparin (Lovenox), dalteparin (Fragmin), clopidogrel (Plavix), and warfarin (Coumadin)
• diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide, Oretic), furosemide (Lasix), chlorothiazide (Diuril), bumetanide (Bumex), torsemide (Demadex), spironolactone (Aldactone), triamterene (Dyrenium), and amiloride (Midamor)
• natural remedies such as angelica, anise, arnica, capsicum, celery, chamomile, fenugreek, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, horse chestnut, horseradish, licorice, passionflower, red clover, and willow
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

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Keep all natural remedies and medicines out of the reach of children.

This advisory includes select information only. The information was obtained from scientific journals, study reports, and other documents. The author and publisher make no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the information. The advisory may not include all side effects associated with a remedy or interactions with other medicines. Nothing herein shall constitute a recommendation for the use of any remedy. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.

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