How To Grow Parsley And The Many Uses Of The Parsley Herbs
Mary Hanna
The humble parsley herbs have been around for centuries. The Greeks
planted the parsley herb as a border for their gardens. They also used
the parsley herb to crown winners at competitions and to decorate
tombs. The Romans believed that the herb parsley could prevent
intoxication. They used it in great quantities. It can be used as an
herb parsley tea which many say is useful in curbing a stubborn cough.
Parsley herbs are used to make herbal remedies.
The parsley herb is a biennial, which means it will last two years
after which the parsley must be replanted. The parsley herb will
produce an umbrella of small yellow flowers. The first year of the
parsley herb will have a more delicate flavor.
Curly parsley, the most commonly grown, is very pretty as a border
around an herb garden. Parsley produces crisp, curly, bright green
leaves. Parsley is one of the most nutritious herbs around containing
potassium, calcium, vitamins A and C and many other needed minerals. It
is also the most widely used herb in the kitchen. It can be used in
virtually every recipe, salads, meats, soups, stews, even parsley sauce
or an herbal parsley tea.
The flavor of the herb parsley is mild and savory. Parsley is good at
masking other harsher flavors. Parsley is said to sweeten the breath
after eating garlic. The parsley herb is good for the circulation and
the digestive system. The parsley plant can be used to make herbal
remedies. It is a diuretic. It is thought to be an herbal remedy for
the kidneys, removing excess water from the body. For this reason many
think that is a slimming herb. The herb parsley is a detoxifier and
helps with rheumatism, gout and arthritis. Many women believe it aides
in menstrual pain and period irregularity.
To grow the herb parsley, plant the seeds gradually through the warmer
months. There are two ways to speed the germination of the parsley
herb. You can either soak them in warm water for 24 hours or you can
pour boiling water over them just before you plan to plant the parsley
herb. It will take about eight weeks before the parsley herb can be
planted in the garden or in a container garden. After the seedlings
have grown several leaves on it, plant them about 10 inches apart.
If you live in a tropical area it will be necessary to provide shade
for the parsley herb. If you live in a colder climate, dig up the
parsley and pot it for inside growth and year round harvesting. It
enjoys a well drained but moist soil that has enriched with
fertilizers. The parsley herb will ward off pests and disease if it is
planted near roses or tomatoes. Parsley also attracts bees.
The herb parsley can be planted inside on a sunny windowsill or
greenhouse. When you buy the pot for the herb parsley, be sure you have
a depth of at least eight inches which will allow the roots space to
grow.
The other popular variety of the herb parsley is the flat leaf or
Italian parsley herb. This parsley has a slightly stronger taste. Grow
both varieties for some interesting textures when using in your
recipes.
You can use either fresh or dried parsley to make an herbal parsley
tea. When using the parsley herb fresh, use one quarter of a cup of the
herb. Pour boiling water in the cup and let steep for 5 minutes. Cover
the cup to keep the steam in. Strain the tea and drink it. If using
dried parsley, use two teaspoons per cup of water. Sweeten with honey.
For relieving bug bites and stings, pulp the parsley and apply to
afflicted are to heal and soothe.
Think about planting the herb parsley. There are so many uses for it.
It will be a healthy addition to your garden and your kitchen. Here's a
recipe for Parsley Sauce to help you use your parsley herb crop in a
tasty way:
1 pint Milk, warmed
1½oz Flour
1½oz Butter
4 tbsp Parsley, chopped
Salt and Pepper
Melt the butter in a saucepan over a low heat.
Stir in the flour and cook gently for 2-3 minutes.
Remove from the heat and slowly add the milk, stirring constantly to
avoid lumps.
Bring to the boil, still stirring, simmer for about five minutes,
stirring occasionally.
Once it's smooth and creamy, remove from the heat; throw in the chopped
parsley and season to taste. Serve it hot with fish, poultry or
vegetables.
Here's to Good Eating and Happy Gardening!
Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central Florida. She
has published other articles on Gardening and Cooking. Visit her
websites at
http://www.gardeninglandscapingtips.com ,
http://www.gardeningoutside.com, or http://www.gardeningherb.com.
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