Fluid retention can be caused by various reasons, but it is better to solve the problem without the help of chemicals. Parsley is great for this, acting as a natural but effective diuretic. Read about the features of eating parsley in this article.

Botanical description of the plant

Garden parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is a grassy biennial that belongs to the umbelliferous family. It grows in Europe, where it is cultivated as a seasoning and vegetable crop. In the first year, it forms a leaf rosette with a diameter of about 50 cm. Distinguish between root and leaf varieties of plants. The root of the plant is used as a snack or vegetable in soups, stews and casseroles. The leaf portion is used as seasoning.Plant characteristics:

• flower stalk height: up to 75 cm;
• stem: straight, hollow inside, formed in the second year of growth;
• a leaf rosette with a diameter of 20-50 cm, growing well in the first year of cultivation;
• leaf size: 10–20 cm in length;
• leaves: triangular, cirrus, dark green;
• root: thickened, white;
• flowers: yellow, 2-3 mm in diameter, collected in umbrellas;
• seeds: ovoid, green, 1.5–2 mm in length.

Did you know? The term "parsley" goes back to the Greek word "petroselion", which means stone celery. Thus, the ancients noted the plant's choice of place for growth — stony soil.

Flowering occurs in June-July. After seed ripening, the plant usually dies. The plant can be grown on the beds, in the aisles and even on the windowsill.

Diuretic properties of parsley

The plant is traditionally used as a diuretic and as an antihypertensive agent. In 2002, a study was published in the journal Ethnopharmacology confirming the diuretic effect of the plant. Rats were given tea from its seeds and urine was measured. Research results showed that leaf extract significantly increased the volume of urine produced within 24 hours.Technically, the diuretic process is as follows:

1. Parsley affects the transport of potassium in the body. Its liquid extract works like a pump, extracting potassium and sodium ions from the body.
2. As a result, water accumulates in the kidneys, which causes a diuretic effect.

Important! Do not take parsley with diuretics or lithium to minimize the risk of dizziness and a drop in blood pressure.

For what purposes is parsley used as a diuretic?

Diuretics, or diuretics, are needed to reduce the amount of fluid that can build up in the tissues and cavities of the body. They are used in the treatment of heart, kidney and liver diseases, in other words, in the treatment of any processes accompanied by swelling. Diuretics effectively reduce not only the volume of fluid, but also reduce stagnation in the tissues.The plant acts as an osmotic diuretic. It interferes with the absorption of water and increases the pressure in the tubules to remove excess fluid from the body. The duration of the diuretic effect of diuretics can be from 30 minutes to 2-4 days. It depends on the drug taken, as well as on the individual characteristics of the body. The duration of exposure can be from 5 to 15 hours.

Disease treatment

Herbalists use parsley to treat kidneys, joint problems, nerves, and more. Dr. John R. Christopher, one of the greatest herbal masters of the 20th century, used the plant in various ways:

• with diseases of the kidneys and bladder;
• with jaundice and sexually transmitted diseases.

He suggested drinking tea from the root of the plant for “hard fingers” and other joint problems. He also believed that gallstones can be removed by drinking 0.5 l of fresh tea from parsley every day. To make tea, pour a handful of fresh parsley with boiling water. Cover and insist. You can drink it during the day.

Important! Parsley juice is an effective tonic for cleansing the blood. For consumption, dilute it with any other type of fresh juice, for example, carrot. But you should not use it more than 50 g per day.

Weight loss

The ability of parsley to lose weight is based on the following features:

1. She's low in calories - only 22 calories. There is absolutely no fat in it. But at the same time, it has a large set of useful substances. This allows you to reduce the calorie content of the diet without reducing its nutritional value.
2. The plant is a source of protein, which increases the feeling of satiety due to the fact that the protein will be absorbed quite slowly.
3. The plant is known to be very rich in homocysteine. - a substance that reduces the risk of additional weight gain, stroke and high cholesterol in diabetics.
4. Vitamin C, contained in parsley, supports the health of the whole organism, but especially the endocrine system, which is responsible for metabolism. Normal exchange excludes the formation of "extra" pounds.
5. High Vitamin K promotes blood thinning, which means it lowers cholesterol and improves blood circulation, which, like metabolism, makes the body work more efficiently and prevents the deposition of fat.
6. The plant is rich in folic acid, which helps the body convert carbohydrates into energy.
7. Cellulose helps to remove waste from the colon, which, in turn, makes it possible to get a flatter stomach. And this is good, especially if you rarely exercise.
8. is he supports the removal of fat cells from the liver, thereby helping people with the treatment of liver disease.
9. Antibacterial effect Parsley helps eliminate yeast and infections that can cause inflammation, swelling and inhibit weight loss.

Video: eating parsley to lose weight

Relieves flatulence and helps your entire system digest food more efficiently, promoting the absorption of nutrients. It is also a powerful cleanser for the cells, which is also good for general health and will contribute to weight loss.

Features of the use of parsley as a diuretic

Tea with parsley helps to lose weight, as well as support the immune system. Tea is sold in stores or you can make it yourself. In addition to it are used:

• decoctions;
• infusions;
• tinctures.

It is recommended to use fresh raw materials for making drinks, due to the greater amount of vitamins and other biologically active substances. And do not forget to consider contraindications. They are quite extensive in parsley.

Decoctions of leaves

Despite the fact that there are many drugs that contribute to weight loss, herbalists recommend the use of medicinal herbs. They have fewer side effects and are better tolerated by the body. The method of preparation will always depend on the type of raw material. More dense - the roots or bark are boiled, and the leaves can insist. The basic recipe for the preparation of a decoction is to mix raw materials and water in a ratio of 1:10.Boil the mixture in a water bath for 0.5 hours or on low heat for about 20 minutes. The finished broth is also sometimes evaporated to the volume indicated in the recipe, obtaining a concentrated product. Use a decoction of 100-250 ml at a time, but not more than 500 ml per day. The prepared drink is drunk during the day or stored in the refrigerator, but not more than 1-2 days.

Cautions:

1. Do not take diuretic decoctions if you have a long trip.
2. Do not leave the prepared drink longer than 10 minutes on the table. Essential oils evaporate quickly, and the drink may lose its beneficial properties.
3. You can dilute the broth with water before use. This is necessary if you do not like the bitter taste of parsley.

Did you know? The first wreaths for the winners in the sport were from parsley. And the pre-Olympic games, in which the winners were decorated with these wreaths, were held in the Valley of Nemea at the Temple of Zeus around 500 BC.

Parsley root in milk

The root is similar to parsnip, but has a purer white color with a less earthy taste. It is often sold with parsley tops. It is used in cooking, as well as in the preparation of a decoction with milk. The root refers to soft diuretics. To prepare the broth take crushed roots - 20 tbsp. tablespoons and pour 500 ml of milk. Put the mixture in a water bath and evaporate to reduce the volume by 2 times. The broth is filtered and drunk before meals.

Video: cooking parsley root in milk

A decoction of seeds

Seeds are an effective diuretic. They are also able to remove toxins, salts, and bad cholesterol from the body. A decoction of seeds will help with weight loss, as well as in the treatment of rheumatism and other diseases. They do not even have to be boiled.Just chewing the seeds, you refresh your breath, reduce your appetite. To prepare the broth, you need to take 2 tsp. seeds and pour them with a glass of boiling water. Leave to infuse under the lid for 20 minutes. Drink a cold drink between meals.

Did you know? In ancient Greece, parsley was planted on the graves, and the phrase "need parsley" meant that death was inevitable.

Possible contraindications

Short-term intake of plant materials for culinary and medicinal purposes in small doses is safe. If you use it as the main tool in the program for losing weight, then consider the following factors:

1. Parsley can not be consumed by those who are allergic to it, celery, caraway seeds, as well as other umbrella.
2. With diseases of the liver and kidneys.
3. Pregnant in the first trimester due to the risk of abortion.
4. Diabetics complete with sugar-lowering drugs, as parsley also lowers it.
5. With high blood pressure, so as not to increase it even more.
6. With reduced blood coagulation or before an upcoming surgery. If you have eaten parsley, inform your doctor.

The use of parsley for weight loss is justified. This is due to the fact that it has many useful biologically active substances and there are no side effects. If you begin to lose weight, keep in mind that any weight correction occurs along with the correction of the diet. Without this, the use of plant materials will be ineffective.