Seeking to provide health benefits, many people turn to medicinal plants. A plant that has become very popular in recent times is parsley. Just do a little research to realize how widespread parsley tea has become. But, after all, is the preparation of tea really good for our body?
We chatted with Rodrigo Silveira, director and creator of Ervanarium – an online school of herbal medicine and natural health care – and answered all questions about parsley tea. Find out, below, if this drink actually contributes to health.
Is parsley tea good for the body?
Parsley has several benefits, as analyzed by Rodrigo Silveira. It is rich in chlorophyll, capable of purifying the blood and detoxifying the body. In addition, this plant is also a great source of magnesium, a mineral responsible for facilitating the absorption of nutrients, regulating the heartbeat and strengthening bones.
However, the director of Ervanarium warns of the difference between preparing parsley tea and using this plant as food. The main benefits of parsley happen when we use it in recipes. However, if you want to prepare tea, the drink must be made safely and for occasional use. You can take it for a maximum of three days in a row and in specific cases, such as urinary tract infections.
According to Siveira, myristicin, a component found in parsley, has shown potential as a detoxifier, diuretic and also in reducing kidney stones. However, caution is needed, as studies on it are still in progress.
Possible benefits of parsley tea
To better understand the risks of this tea, we investigated what are the benefits brought by the drink in its most known uses. It is important to note that each organism works in a different way and only you and your doctor can be sure what is best for your health, but it is always worth getting informed about what you intend to consume, isn’t it?
Is it good for the kidneys?
Parsley tea can indeed contribute to kidney purification, but studies on the components of the plant are still being carried out. In any case, it is recommended that people who already have kidney problems choose alternative herbs, such as stonebreaker.
Does it help you lose weight?
As parsley is a powerful diuretic, drinking its tea gives the illusion of weight loss. In fact, in excessive consumption, the person ends up eliminating a lot of water, overloading the kidneys. This can lead to undesirable dehydration, comments the director of Ervanarium.
Parsley tea contraindications
Parsley, for medicinal use, is a plant that can pose health risks, says Silveira. Although it is used to purify the kidneys and even as a detoxifier or slimming agent, care must be taken with its active ingredient, apiol, also known as “green parsley oil”.
There are also some specific cases in which the plant should not be consumed: during pregnancy, breastfeeding and also in cases of nephrosis (kidney disease).
When consumed in excess, parsley tea can, among other problems, affect hearing, kidneys and cause vertigo. For those who want to obtain all the medicinal benefits of parsley without putting their health at risk, the suggestion is to administer this plant in the form of homeopathy.
How to use parsley tea in cooking
Although parsley tea is highly propagated, care must be taken when consuming it. As parsley is easily found in our cities and can even be grown in our homes, as in a garden in the garden, preparing your tea is very practical, and many people consume the drink without even having a medical appointment.
Therefore, to protect your health, Rodrigo Silveira’s recommendation is that parsley be consumed only as food and in daily amounts of less than 200 g. The main way is to use it as a seasoning in recipes to give an extra taste to the dishes. Try complementing meats and savory dishes for a change in common seasonings.
With all this information, you already know the care you need to take when consuming a medicinal herb. In the case of parsley, it presents no risks when used in cooking – whether to add flavor to chicken or Sunday pasta – but its use in teas is not recommended. Before making any tea, look for a professional in the area.
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.
Fernanda Lima
Journalist and postgraduate in Marketing, she has been working with Digital Content since 2011. She is passionate about dogs (she has four adopted ones!) and is always looking for information about female empowerment.
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