PARSLEY

Petrosellinum sativum: Umbelliferae

PLANET: Mercury

ELEMENT: Air

TASTE: herb: pungent, bitter root: sweet bitter	VIPAKA: pungent
WARMTH: slightly warming	DOSHAS: V- P+ (in excess) K-

MERIDIANS: Lung, Stomach, Bladder, Liver

ACTIONS: diuretic, lithotriptic, carminative, anthelminthic, stimulant, emmenagogue (especially seeds), expectorant, laxative, antispasmodic.

INDICATIONS: edema, fluid retention, frequent urination, enuresis (bed-wetting), kidney stones, rheumatic complaints, menstrual disorders, PMS, indigestion, gas, intestinal worms, swollen glands, gall-stones, sciatica, lumbago, good warming diuretic for Vata, reduces high Kapha

PRECAUTIONS: Uterine stimulant, don't use in pregnancy. Use care in conditions of inflammation of the kidneys; warming can be counteracted with marshmallow.

CONSTITUENTS:
-root: essential oil, apiin, bergapten, isoimperatorin, mucilage, sugar
-seeds: stronger in essential oil with apiol myristecene, pinene, other terpenes, flavone glycoside, apiin, furanocumarin, bergapten, fatty oil and PETROSELINIC ACID
-leaves: similar constituents to seeds, but weaker, vitamin C, iron, other minerals

PREPARATION AND USE:
-eaten in stews, salads, soups, etc
-infusion of 1 cup boiling water over 1 tsp herb, drunk three times daily
-can be mixed with gravel root, marshmallow root and dandelion root for urinary complaints
-eating parsley at the end of a meal will aid digestion and counteract gas

NUTRITIONAL USE: Used as seasoning in many dishes. Overcomes the scent of garlic.

USE IN MAGIC: Lust, Protection, Purification
-sacred to Persephone and Saint Peter
-gather on Friday when moon waxing
-bathe in Parsley to commune with Mother aspect of Goddess, especially to ask for a healthy pregnancy
-fed to horses, imparts sure-footedness and speed
-a funeral herbe to the Greeks; believed to have sprung from the blood of Archemorus
-eaten, promotes fertility and fidelity
-don't cut parsley; you'll cut your love as well
-Romans used it for protection. Put on plate to protect from contamination
-purification baths

USE IN PERSONAL GROWTH:
-healing, reconciliation, and balance of inner male and female
-loosens rigid feelings about either gender
-opens the heart so one can move beyond antagonistic dualities

"I love the rich diversity within myself, and seek to bring all my strengths together in harmony."

THE ESSENTIAL OIL

ACTIONS: antimicrobial, antirheumatic, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, alterative, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hypotensive, laxative, stimulant, stomachic, uterine tonic.

INDICATIONS: arthritis, toxins, cellulitis, sciatica, colic, flatulence, indigestion, hemorrhoids, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, labour pains, cystitis

-used in gripe waters

DOSE: 1-3 drops

USE IN MAGIC: protection of home and food