Overview

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is an herb native to the Mediterranean that is grown worldwide. It's widely used in foods and also as medicine.

Parsley contains vitamins B1, B2, C, and K. Oils extracted from parsley contain chemicals that might help stimulate the appetite, improve digestion, and have laxative effects.

People use parsley for constipation, diabetes, dark skin patches on the face (melasma), kidney stones, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse parsley with similarly named fool's parsley or parsley piert. These are not the same.



Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for Parsley overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Parsley is commonly consumed in foods. Parsley is possibly safe when used in larger amounts as medicine, short-term. But using very large amounts of parsley, such as 200 grams, is likely unsafe. Parsley oil contains toxins that can cause serious side effects, including kidney and liver damage and hallucinations.

When applied to the skin: Parsley seed oil is likely unsafe. It can cause the skin to become extra sensitive to the sun. There isn't enough reliable information to know if applying parsley root and leaf to the skin is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Parsley is commonly consumed in foods. Parsley is possibly safe when used in larger amounts as medicine, short-term. But using very large amounts of parsley, such as 200 grams, is likely unsafe. Parsley oil contains toxins that can cause serious side effects, including kidney and liver damage and hallucinations.

When applied to the skin: Parsley seed oil is likely unsafe. It can cause the skin to become extra sensitive to the sun. There isn't enough reliable information to know if applying parsley root and leaf to the skin is safe or what the side effects might be.

Pregnancy: Parsley is commonly consumed in foods. But using parsley in larger amounts as medicine is likely unsafe during pregnancy. Parsley has been used to cause abortion and start menstrual flow. Also, taking large amounts of parsley during the first three months of pregnancy might increase the risk of birth defects. Stay on the safe side and stick with food amounts.

Breast-feeding: Parsley is commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if parsley is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick with food amounts.

Bleeding disorders: Parsley might slow blood clotting. Taking parsley might increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.

Fluid retention (edema): Parsley might cause the body to hold onto sodium (salt), which increases water retention.

High blood pressure: Parsley might cause the body to hold onto sodium (salt), which might make high blood pressure worse.

Kidney disease: Don't take parsley if you have kidney disease. Parsley contains chemicals that can make kidney disease worse.

Surgery: Parsley might lower blood sugar levels and interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using parsley at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Aspirin interacts with Parsley

    Some people are allergic to parsley. Aspirin might increase sensitivity to parsley, making allergic reactions worse. If you are allergic to parsley do not take aspirin and eat parsley.

  • Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with Parsley

    Warfarin is taken to thin the blood and slow blood clotting. Large amounts of parsley leaf might increase blood clotting. Taking parsley along with warfarin might decrease how well warfarin works to thin the blood.

  • Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with Parsley

    Parsley seed extract might work like a "water pill" by causing the body to lose water, while parsley leaf and root might cause the body to hold on to water. Taking parsley along with "water pills" might interfere with the effects of these drugs.

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates) interacts with Parsley

    Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Parsley might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

  • Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with Parsley

    Parsley might slow blood clotting. Taking parsley along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

  • Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with Parsley

    Parsley might lower blood sugar levels. Taking parsley along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.

  • Pentobarbital (Nembutal) interacts with Parsley

    Parsley juice might increase the amount of time pentobarbital stays in the body. Taking parsley along with pentobarbital might increase the effects and side effects from pentobarbital.

  • Sirolimus (Rapamune) interacts with Parsley

    Large amounts of parsley juice might increase levels of sirolimus in the body. This could increase the effects and side effects of sirolimus.

Dosing

Parsley is commonly consumed in foods. But as medicine, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of parsley might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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