20 Facts About Parsley

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Parsley is a member of the Umbelliferae family, which also includes celery, carrots, dill, cilantro, caraway, cumin, and the poisonous hemlock.

Nobody is certain where parsley originated, though it is said by some to have originated in Sardinia.

There are two types commonly used as an herb, curly leaf and flat leaf. Flat leaf is often referred to as Italian parsley.

The Ancient Romans loved parsley. In the first century AD, Pliny wrote that no salad or sauce should be served without parsley. He also wrote that all classes of people loved parsley.

The Ancient Greeks believed parsley sprung from the blood of the hero Archemorus after he was killed by a dragon.

The Greeks used parsley for funeral wreaths and in garlands for the winners of the Nemena and Isthmian sporting games.

There was an ancient belief that plucking a sprig of parsley while saying one's enemy's name would bring about the death of said enemy.

Corpses were sprinkled with parsley to help eliminate the stench.

People who looked very sick and near death were often said to be "in need of parsley."

9th century Emperor Charlemagne loved cheese flavored with parsley seeds and had two cases sent to him every year.

Parsley arrived on British shores in the 16th century.

It is said that parsley goes seven times to the Devil and back before it germinates due to the long time it takes to grow.

Also because of the difficulty in growing it, it is said that only witches or evil people can grow it.

In The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, Peter Rabbit "ate some lettuce and some broad beans, then some radishes, and then, feeling rather sick, he went to look for some parsley."

Parsley is a natural breath freshener. It reduces the odor of garlic breath when chewed fresh. This is thanks to parsley's high chlorophyll levels.

Pregnant women should not consume parsley because it is a uterine stimulant and may induce premature labor.

Parsley is believed by many to be toxic for birds but there is no evidence that this is true. In fact, it is a good source of vitamins and amino acids for birds.

Parsley contains oxalates, substances in some plants that may cause problems for people with kidney or gallbladder problems.

Two tablespoons of parsley contain about three calories.

Two tablespoons of parsley contain 153% of the Recommended Daily Value of Vitamin K.

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