Parsley: The unheralded champion of kitchens and wellness

Parsley is truly a marvel of nature. Its roots and leaves are precious. It's fair to say that parsley and dill have laid the groundwork for including other greens in dishes.

Parsley comprises the tiny leaves of a biennial plant from the celery family, namely, common parsley. How does it taste? The leaves are pretty spicy with a noticeable salty note. In culinary art, the leaves of two varieties are used – flat-leaf parsley and curly parsley. The former is flat, soft, and boasts a more robust flavour, while the latter is highly fringed but notably more delicate.

The beneficial properties of parsley have been recognized and utilized in traditional medicine for centuries. Fancy having parsley within reach every day? It thrives even in a pot on a balcony.

Parsley ranks among the healthiest foods; it is readily available and affordable. Most notably, it's rich in vitamin C, surpassing citrus fruits in content. Hence, its benefits are broad: it boosts immunity, reinforces blood vessels, and enhances skin appearance by preventing discolourations. Parsley is also a significant source of vitamin K, essential for proper blood clotting; vitamin A is beneficial for eyesight; and B vitamins, which support the nervous system.

Yet parsley is more than just vitamins; it's also loaded with minerals. Calcium deserves attention here, as it is crucial for bone health. It likewise supplies magnesium and zinc, which positively affect skin health.

We're familiar with numerous culinary uses of parsley, from salads and spreads to smoothies. But there's another way to incorporate parsley into the diet. That's parsley water, which is recommended for daily consumption. It aids the weight loss journey by facilitating body detox. It acts as a diuretic, helping to expel water more rapidly and preventing swelling.

Parsley water serves as a natural beauty product, too. It's recommended as a toner for restoring a healthy complexion. It also aids in soothing post-acne marks and lightening discolourations. When used as a hair rinse, it nourishes and strengthens hair—experiencing hair loss? Massaging parsley water into the scalp enhances microcirculation and stimulates hair growth.

Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons of finely chopped parsley,
• 1.5 litres (about 6.3 cups) of water heated to roughly 70 degrees C,
• a slice of lemon, honey, and optionally ginger.

How to prepare:

1. Finely chop the parsley and pour water heated to 70 degrees C. Cover and leave for 10 minutes. If you'd like to make a smaller quantity, use roughly 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley per cup.
2. Enhance the drink's flavour by adding a slice of lemon, ginger, or a teaspoon of honey.