Parsley

Caution

Petersilie · (Petroselinum crispum)

Carrot family (Apiaceae)

Description

Parsley, or garden parsley, is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae that is native to the Balkans. It has been introduced and naturalized in Europe and elsewhere in the world with suitable climates, and is widely cultivated as a herb and a vegetable.

🌿 Risk of confusion — read before wild-harvesting!

CRITICAL: Therapeutic use (tea, tincture, extracts, essential oil) CONTRAINDICATED in pregnancy — apiol and myristicin in essential oil are abortifacient (uterotonic), hepatotoxic and neurotoxic at higher doses. Parsley fruit/seed oil was historically misused as abortifacient (life-threatening). Culinary amounts (garnish, salad) considered safe. Phototoxic reactions from furanocoumarins (bergapten, psoralen) possible, especially in fair-skinned individuals. Pure essential oils MUST NOT be taken internally. Ensure ample fluid intake during irrigation therapy.

CONTRAINDICATED during pregnancy

TeaRootInternalCommission E
Irrigation therapy for mild lower urinary tract complaints
Preparation & dosage
[#src_komme_petersilie_petroselinum_crispum] [#src_pfaf_petroselinum_petroselinum_crispum] [#src_heilpraxis_petersilie_petroselinum_crispum]
TeaLeafInternalCommission E
Aquaretic for irritable bladder and urinary tract inflammation (folk use, Commission E positive for herb/root)
Preparation & dosage
[#src_komme_petersilie_petroselinum_crispum] [#src_welt_wappen_petersilie_petroselinum_crispum]
RawLeafInternalFolk medicine
Source of vitamin C and folate, digestive support, breath freshener (culinary use)
Preparation & dosage
[#src_pfaf_petroselinum_petroselinum_crispum] [#src_eatsmarter_petersilie_petroselinum_crispum]
SpiceLeafInternalFolk medicine
Culinary herb for broths, herb quark, tabbouleh, gremolata (traditional spice)
Preparation & dosage
[#src_pfaf_petroselinum_petroselinum_crispum] [#src_eatsmarter_petersilie_petroselinum_crispum]
CompressLeafExternalFolk medicine
Compress for insect bites, bruises and skin irritation relief (folk medicine)
Preparation & dosage
[#src_pfaf_petroselinum_petroselinum_crispum] [#src_heilpraxis_petersilie_petroselinum_crispum]

Distribution in Europe

🪴 Grow at home

☀ Light: partial shade
💧 Water: every few days
🌱 Soil: Humus-rich, moist
🪴 Pot: 18 cm
⭐ Difficulty: ★★☆ intermediate
🐾 Pets: pet-safe

Tips:

Slow to germinate (3-4 weeks) — be patient or buy pregrown.
Harvest stalks at base, don't pluck from top.
Flowers in 2nd year → plant ages, re-sow.

Care tips are general indoor-gardening recommendations, not scientific sources.

🤝 Permaculture Partners

In your garden, this plant acts as:

Pollinator Magnet Medicinal

✨ Best symbiotic partners

🌿 Garlic Classic companion-planting partner.
🌿 Tarragon Classic companion-planting partner.
🌿 Fragaria vesca Classic companion-planting partner.
🌿 Lovage Classic companion-planting partner.
🌿 Basil Classic companion-planting partner.
🌿 Tomato Parsley attracts lacewings that eat aphids.
🌿 Tropaeolum majus Classic companion-planting partner.

⚠️ Better not planted together

🥬 Apium graveolens Classic companion-planting partner.
🥬 Fennel Classic companion-planting partner.
🥬 Lettuce Parsley and lettuce inhibit each other (root exudates).
🥬 Peppermint Classic companion-planting partner.

📦 Part of these planting sets:

Source: Gertrud Franck, Gesunder Garten durch Mischkultur (1980, eigene Kuration) | Helga und Margarete Langerhorst, Mein gesunder Naturgarten (eigene Kuration)