Parsley tea has many beneficial effects on health: it’s a great diuretic and it also lowers cholesterol.
Parsley, Petroselinum crispum, is one of the most common herbs found in almost every kitchen, and is a favorite in European gastronomy. It is best sprinkled raw on ready-to-serve dishes so that it does not lose its vitamin content.
Not only can it be used as a flavoring, but its antioxidant, vitamin and mineral content also makes it an excellent herb to be consumed regularly, even as tea.
Effects of parsley
Thanks to its active ingredients, parsley acts as a natural diuretic, supporting liver and kidney function and promoting the elimination of toxins. Water retention is not only associated with premenstrual syndrome, menstruation and pregnancy, but also with excessive sodium intake and taking certain medications. The effects of the herb are so strong that it is not recommended as a cure in combination with a diuretic; in fact, it is always worth consulting a doctor before starting a parsley cure.
Parsley also contains high levels of vitamin A, potassium, folic acid, calcium and ascorbic acid. The latter is so abundant in parsley that 15 grams of it provides 22% of the daily requirement of vitamin C.
This vitamin acts as an antioxidant, boosts the immune system and promotes fat oxidation, accelerating fat burning with regular exercise. It also supports the synthesis of collagen, necessary for the skeleton and muscles. It is also rich in other antioxidants, including flavonoids, carotenoids and tocopherols, which reduce the body’s levels of oxidative stress, which is thought to be a major cause of obesity.
The flavonoid quercetin in parsley also lowers blood fat levels and blood pressure and protects the heart and vascular system, and its beta-carotene and folic acid content also reduce LDL cholesterol levels. It can also help control blood sugar levels. A 2004 study found that eating parsley can improve liver health while also lowering blood sugar and body weight.
How to make parsley tea
Parsley is most often used to flavor food, but what fewer people know is that it can also be consumed as a tea, and is very easy to make.
Ingredients
- 250 ml water
- 15 fresh parsley greens or 1 g dried parsley
Preparation
Place fresh or dried parsley in a cup, add boiling water and leave to stand for 5-10 minutes for the valuable active ingredients have soaked out. Strain the infusion and drink as soon as the temperature allows. You can flavor parsley tea with honey or lemon juice.