Legend has it that parsley grows so slowly, because it had to make nine trips to the devil before it finally sprouted. They say that you can speed the process by planting the seeds on Good Friday – the only day of the year when the devil has no power. During the Middle Ages this legend gave rise to the belief that parsley brought bad luck. But people still used it to ward off witches and evil spirits.
For the Greeks and Romans parsley was a symbol of gaiety and festivity. The victors of competitions were honored with garlands made of parsley. People also wore parsley garlands at festive events, because they believed that it would prevent them from becoming intoxicated.
Parsley comes in root and leaf varieties. The leaves can be either flat or curly. Flat parsley is more aromatic. But the more decorative curly parsley is most often used to garnish dishes. Whereas leaf parsley is consumed raw, root parsley is usually cooked in soups.
As a spicy herb parsley enjoys worldwide popularity, e.g. as an aromatic condiment for sprucing up meat and vegetable dishes.
Various sauces can also be prepared with parsley. The most popular parsley-based sauce in Germany is “Frankfurt Green Sauce”. Parsley and chopped garlic in olive oil make a delicious Mediterranean sauce for grilled meats.
Herbal medicine
Parsley is rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, C and E and contains an abundance of magnesium and iron. It is used in naturopathy to treat circulatory and digestive disorders as well as cramps.
Parsley-sage masks and parsley-based facial lotion are often used to treat skin problems. Put a handful of parsley in a closed container with 70-percent alcohol and allow to draw for two weeks. Then strain it through a paper filter and mix with distilled water.
Three liqueur glasses of honey parsley a day dehydrates the body. Add two tablespoons of wine vinegar to 20 stalks of parsley and cook for approximately five minutes. Then add 80-169 grams of honey and a liter of pure wine and allow to simmer for another five minutes; then pour through a coffee filter.
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