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What Are the Health Benefits of Parsley Water?

Melanie Smeltzer
Melanie Smeltzer

Parsley water is a nutritional beverage similar to herbal medicinal teas. Thought to be rich in vitamins and minerals, parsley is considered a powerful diuretic, antihistamine, and bad-breath blocker. This therapeutic drink may also be beneficial in treating heart and lung conditions, breast milk deficiency, and infections.

Widely thought to be a highly nutritious plant, parsley contains protein and fiber while low in saturated fat and cholesterol. It is no surprise, then, that parsley water is a favorite beverage of health enthusiasts. In addition to protein and fiber, it typically contains B vitamins like thiamine, pantothenic acid, and riboflavin, as well as vitamins A, C, E, and K. Some of the minerals in this beverage include zinc, calcium, copper, and potassium.

Parsley is an herb rich in vitamins and minerals.
Parsley is an herb rich in vitamins and minerals.

Once taken to relieve muscle spasms, digestive ailments, and menstrual issues, parsley is now used to treat a number of other health-related complaints. Although this plant can be consumed in many ways, some feel that drinking a beverage made out of the leaves or roots will help the body absorb more nutrients. As the water is most commonly used as a diuretic, it is considered beneficial in treating urinary infections, bladder and kidney stones, jaundice, and liver disease.

Parsley can be steeped in hot water for tea.
Parsley can be steeped in hot water for tea.

Parsley water is also thought to be helpful for the lungs. It is said to help prevent the growth of tumors, protect them from infection, and cleanse them of viruses and pollutants. Additionally, this drink is also thought to increase antioxidant capacity in the blood, boost the immune system, and strengthen the eyes, spleen, and blood vessels.

This beverage is still often consumed for its traditional health benefits. For example, since this plant contains mildly estrogenic properties, it is thought to be useful in balancing and supporting hormones, diminishing menstrual pain and regulating menstrual cycles. In addition, it may also help digestion by lessening the amount of excess bacteria in the digestive tract, promoting intestinal absorption and reducing flatulence.

Parsley water may help reduce menstrual pain.
Parsley water may help reduce menstrual pain.

Although parsley tea can be purchased pre-made, most people prefer to make their own. For medicinal use, many recommend using the leaves and roots of Italian parsley. This plant can be finely chopped and placed into a pot of boiling water for ten minutes. Once cooled, the parsley pieces should be strained, and the water can be placed into the refrigerator.

Discussion Comments

anon991252

I read somewhere that lung cancer is the number 1 cancer type now. If parsley can help prevent that, I will be taking parsley tea on a regular basis. The bonus is having sweet breath to boot! Can't beat that.

Animandel

My grandmother and grandfather were sticklers for eating parsley after the final meal of the day, and many days they ate the plant after each meal.

They said eating the parsley kept their digestive systems functioning properly and they also ate parsley for kidney health. I guess Grandma and Grandpa did know what they were talking about.

Sporkasia

Drentel - The parsley health benefits are getting much more attention today than they did when you were growing up. The main reason parsley is placed on plates in restaurants is because it blocks bad breath odors, as mentioned in the article.

So for all of us who have been simply trying not to offend our dinner companions during after meal conversation, we are hopefully reaping even greater benefits than fresh breath.

Drentel

Maybe I shouldn't admit this, but for the longest time I didn't even know people ate parsley. The only time I would see the plant was when I ate at a restaurant and it was used to garnish the plates. I can remember asking my parents this question. Are we supposed to eat that? I never did.

Now that I read about all the parsley benefits, I think I should have been eating it all along.

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    • Parsley is an herb rich in vitamins and minerals.
      By: Barbara Pheby
      Parsley is an herb rich in vitamins and minerals.
    • Parsley can be steeped in hot water for tea.
      By: Jörg Beuge
      Parsley can be steeped in hot water for tea.
    • Parsley water may help reduce menstrual pain.
      By: overcrew
      Parsley water may help reduce menstrual pain.
    • Parsley water can be used to treat urinary tract infections.
      By: joshya
      Parsley water can be used to treat urinary tract infections.
    • Parsley water is most commonly used as a diuretic and is considered beneficial in treating kidney stones.
      By: p6m5
      Parsley water is most commonly used as a diuretic and is considered beneficial in treating kidney stones.
    • Parsley water is considered a bad-breath blocker.
      By: yanmingzhang
      Parsley water is considered a bad-breath blocker.