Parsley - The Versatile Herb for Culinary Versatility!

Parsley is a popular garden herb with pretty green leaves and a fresh, citrusy flavor. It is most often used for garnishing but can also be cooked, sauteed and used as a component of bouquet garni.

Both flat-leaf and curly parsley have culinary uses, though the latter tends to taste less grating when past its prime, so use it sparingly. Flat-leaf is favored for cooking because of its more robust flavor and withstands long cooking times better.

Fresh

Parsley is a great herb for adding fresh flavor to many recipes. It is easy to use, and it adds an eye-catching bright green color to dishes and garnishes. It is often paired with other herbs such as cilantro, chives, lovage, and mint to make a savory green sauce called chimichurri. It is also used to brighten other foods such as soups, salads, and grilled vegetables or chicken.

There are two types of fresh parsley: flat-leaf and curly parsley. The latter is more vibrant looking and has a more pronounced, tangier flavor, while the flat-leaf variety has a milder taste and can be used interchangeably with the curly leaf.

To extend the life of fresh parsley, trim the ends off of the stems and put it in a glass (or pretty little vase!) of water in the refrigerator. Change the water every day to maintain maximum freshness. It will keep for about a week this way.

Dried

Dried parsley can be used for recipes that do not require cooking or added at the end of the cooking process, like in a fresh salad dressing. It’s a staple ingredient in homemade herb mixes and is especially popular as a base for the South American condiment chimichurri.

Home cooks can easily dry their own fresh parsley by loosely tying it into small bundles, and hanging them up in a warm place with good air flow. This can also be done in a dehydrator, which speeds up the drying process.

Dried parsley can last for two to three years, if stored in a dark, cool place. It is a versatile addition to soups, stews and tomato-based sauces. It also works as a flavourful garnish, and is often sprinkled over scrambled eggs, boiled potatoes and other vegetable dishes. It can also be used to make a delicious herbal tea. Dried parsley is a good source of vitamin C and has been shown to have antioxidant properties that may help reduce the risk of cancer (25). It is also rich in the nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin, which have been linked to healthy eyes.

Cooked

Parsley is a great addition to many dishes, both cooked and raw. It is a starring herb in tabbouleh, the fresh Mediterranean salad; it makes a zesty green salsa verde or gremolata; and it is an essential ingredient in chimichurri sauce as well as a number of other tangy herb dressings. It is also a part of bouquet garni and adds a nice fresh flavor to soups and stews.

If cooking with parsley, use flat leaf Italian parsley (Petroselinum crispum var. neapolitanum), which is sturdier than curly parsley and holds up better for cooking, food stylist Marie Ostrosky told me. Finely chopped, it adds a lovely texture and a bright flavor to pastas, soups and other dishes. A cup of parsley provides a full day’s worth of folate, which helps reduce homocysteine levels in the body that can put you at risk for heart disease. It is a very versatile herb that should be added at the beginning of a dish or toward the end, so its taste doesn’t get muddled in cooking.

Garnished

Parsley is one of those herbs that gets taken for granted, but it’s worth always keeping a bunch in the fridge to dress up roasted chicken, enliven salad greens, and make weeknight sauces with vegetable soups. A sprinkling of finely chopped leaves, or a fresh sprig, is a classic garnish.

Parsley’s flavor doesn’t suffer when cooked, so you can add it to pastas, stews, and curries. It’s also a popular ingredient in Middle Eastern recipes.

The herb's stems are tasty, too. In fact, they’re more flavorful than the leaves. They’re great in soups, stir fries, and sautés.

A half cup of chopped parsley provides 108% of the RDI for vitamin A, as well as a good source of potassium. It’s also rich in folic acid, magnesium, iron, and zinc. It contains the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which are associated with eye health. Lutein and zeaxanthin are plant pigments that the body converts into vitamin A, which is important for eye health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What herb heals all wounds?

The answer to this question varies depending on the type and severity of the wound.

The herb comfrey (also known as knitbone) has long been used for its healing properties, particularly for skin injuries such as cuts and bruises.

Studies suggest that comfrey contains allantoin, which helps speed up healing. Other herbs commonly used for healing wounds include calendula, plantain, and yarrow. These herbs help to reduce inflammation, stop bleeding and speed up the skin's healing process.

In addition to herbs, honey has also been found to have powerful antimicrobial properties that can help prevent wound infection.

Herbs for wound care is an age-old practice that continues to be used today. However, herbs should not replace medical treatment, and always consult your doctor before using herbs for healing. With the right herbs, you can give your body the support it needs to heal naturally.

How to make herbal remedies at home?

Making herbal remedies at home is easy. All you need is fresh herbs, water, salt, and sugar. You can use any herb, depending on what you want to create.

For example, choose mint, basil, chamomile, or lemon balm to make a soothing tea. If you want to make a cooling drink, try rosemary, thyme, lavender, or eucalyptus.

All you need to do is put all the ingredients into a pot and boil them until they become soft. Strain out the herbs and serve hot.

Add honey to the boiling mixture to make a tonic drink. Honey is a preservative and will keep your herbal remedy fresh for longer.

You can also combine two or three herbs to make a more potent brew. For instance, you could mix equal parts of garlic and ginger to make a powerful antiseptic. Or you can combine equal amounts of turmeric and ginger to make a potent immune booster.

Soak a clean cloth in warm water and place it over the affected area to make a compress. Leave it for 10 minutes before removing it. Do this every day until the swelling goes down.

Make sure you consult your doctor first before using herbal remedies. Some plants may interact negatively with other medications. Also, don't take large quantities of herbs because they can cause side effects.

What are the side effects of basil?

Basil is an herb that originated in tropical regions of India, Africa, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile.

The plant is easy to grow in most climates and requires little maintenance. Basil also thrives in poor soil conditions and is very drought tolerant.

As for the health benefits, more than 200 known compounds are found in basil, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignans, polysaccharides, essential oils, vitamins, and minerals.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, basil contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties which may help relieve symptoms associated with arthritis, asthma, allergies, bronchitis, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, digestive disorders, depression, eczema, insomnia, infections, migraines, osteoporosis, psoriasis, respiratory problems, stress, and ulcers.

Basil is also a culinary spice and is often added to tomato sauces, soups, salads, pasta dishes, rice dishes, dips, casseroles, pizza toppings, pesto, chicken wings, and popcorn.

However, like all herbs, basil should be consumed in moderation. Too much of anything is not good for you. For example, eating large amounts of basil could lead to stomach upset. And if you have sensitive tummies, avoid consuming basil during pregnancy.

If you are pregnant or nursing, consult your doctor before taking herbal supplements.

You should only take one type of supplement at a time. If you take other medications, make sure they do not interact with each other.

You should never use herbs while on medication unless directed by your doctor.

Some people experience allergic reactions when using herbs, especially those allergic to ragweed. Symptoms include hives, swelling around the mouth or eyes, shortness of breath, chest tightness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, fainting, heart palpitations, blurred vision, loss of consciousness, seizures, or even death.

Some people who take certain medications may develop an allergy to basil. These drugs include:

• Antacids (like Alka Seltzer)
• Anti-anxiety medicines (Valium, Xanax, Ativan, etc.)
• Beta-blockers (like Propranolol)
• Blood thinners (like Coumadin)
• Calcium channel blockers (like Amlodipine)
• Cholesterol-lowering drugs (like Lipitor, Zocor, Mevacor, and Pravachol)
• Diabetes medicine (like Glucophage)
• Diuretics (like Lasix)
• Heartburn medicines (like Prilosec OTC)
• Hormone therapy (like Premarin, Tamoxifen, Femara)
• Insulin (like Humalog, Lantus, Novolin R)
• NSAIDs (like Aleve, Motrin, Advil, Excedrin, Tylenol, Ibuprofen)
• Oral contraceptives (like Ortho Evra, Yasmin, Loestrin, Ovrette, Yaz, and Seasonale)
• Pain relievers (like Aspirin, Celebrex, Vicodin, Percodan, Darvocet, Dilaudid, Fiorinal, Tylenol 3s, Naproxen, Motrin, Tramadol, Ultram, Voltaren

Which plant has antibiotic and wound-healing properties?

People often ask about plants that have medicinal uses. Some of these include aloe vera, eucalyptus, chamomile, and lavender. If you're wondering why there aren't any plants used for cleaning and disinfecting purposes, it's because most plants have toxic qualities.

The reason why we use herbs for medicine is that they contain compounds that stimulate our immune system. This means that they help us fight infections and heal wounds.

Some plants also have anti-inflammatory properties. These include ginger, turmeric, and mint.

Herbs such as basil, fennel, marigold, and oregano are great for cleansing the body.

There are even some plants that help prevent cancer. Research shows that black raspberries may reduce the chances of developing breast cancer. The same goes for broccoli. It can help prevent colon cancer.

Statistics

• Herbs are among the most popular and widely used medicinal remedies. According to a survey conducted by the National Institutes of Health, herbs were used by over 38% of adults in the United States.
• The herbs market is highly competitive, with over 1,000 herb suppliers and over 15,000 herbs products available in the United States alone.

External Links

[TAG49]

• Antioxidant capacity of 26 spice extracts and characterization of their phenolic constituents - PubMed


• Cinnamon: A Multifaceted Medicinal Plant - PMC

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• Ashwagandha | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center


• Grape Seed | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

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• Peppermint oil (Mintoil®) in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: A prospective, double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial


• Curcumin reverses the effects of chronic stress on behavior, the HPA axis, BDNF expression, and phosphorylation of CREB

[TAG58]

• Efficacy and Adverse Effects of Ginkgo Biloba for Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - IOS Press

How To

How To Upcycle Herbs After Making Infusions, Oils, Tinctures, And More?

There are more ways to use herbs than you might realize. This is why it's essential to keep an open mind when learning how to make herbal infusions, oils, tinctures, and more.

You'll find that there are many methods for making these products, and even though they may seem similar, each method has its benefits.

For example, some methods include creating decoctions, boiling water or alcohol with the herb(s), and letting them simmer for a while. These infusions are solid and potent because they contain higher concentrations of active compounds.

Another type of infusion includes macerating the herb(s), which means soaking them in liquid for a few hours or even overnight. Macerations tend to produce milder results because the plant material isn't boiled.

Some cold-infused forms involve steeping herbs in cool liquids such as ice cubes or cold water. Cold infusions are gentler than hot ones, often used to treat minor ailments.

Herbal oil extraction involves heating the herb(s) to release the essential oils. You can either do this yourself or have someone help you out with it.

Finally, there are tinctures made by mixing herbs with alcohol. They're usually taken orally and are very effective for treating coughs, colds, and flu symptoms.

The best way to learn how to create infused products is to experiment with various techniques. Each technique offers a different potency and effectiveness, depending on the herb(s) you choose.

Once you've tried a few different methods, you'll begin to develop your preferences. In time, you'll be able to determine which techniques work well for you and which aren't worth pursuing.

Resources:

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