Garden plants are beneficial in so many ways. Flowering plants add beauty, attract pollinators, and vegetables provide their bounty of food. However, herbs not only enhance our food, but also help support an entire garden ecosystem. Some, such as lavender and basil, also repel mosquitoes naturally. Others are ideal for attracting the beneficial critters. Parsley (Petroselinum spp.) is one of those herbs that’s well-loved by pollinators. Its flowers are a favorite for bees, for example, but that’s just the beginning.
Parsley hosts generations of helpful bugs
Parsley is a host plant for the black swallowtail butterfly (Papilio polyxenes) found in many parts of the United States. These stunning butterflies lay their eggs on parsley. As the caterpillars emerge, they eat parts of the host plant. Besides butterflies and bees, parsley attracts other beneficial insects such as hoverflies and parasitic wasps, each of which helps control unwanted pests such as aphids. In fact, a single hoverfly larvae can eat up to 400 aphids. Hoverflies are also considered one of the most important garden pollinators behind bees, particularly for wild and native plants in the U.S.
It’s not just the bugs who benefit: Parsley is one of those fairly fuss-free plants that are great for beginning gardeners. It grows best in USDA Hardiness zones 2 through 11. It grows as an annual in colder areas and a biennial in zone 5 or warmer. Plant it in well-draining but moist soil in an area that gets a decent amount of sun each day. In areas that experience very hot summers, choose a space that receives afternoon shade. This herb grows well in both garden beds and containers. It even grows well in hanging baskets if you’re in the mood to try something a little different with your herb garden.
To help beneficial insects, plant extra parsley for them. This way if the swallowtail butterfly’s caterpillars eat a bunch, you’ll still have plenty left for yourself. If you find caterpillars on your parsley, just move them over to “theirs.” Also, allow some of the plants to flower and go to seed. This way the pollinators have flowers to visit, and your parsley may re-plant itself through fallen seeds.
Source: Outdoor Guide©
Photo credit: © svetlaya_strana_omsk/Shutterstock
Parsley in the kitchen
The widespread use of parsley in the kitchen reflects its status as the most often used herb. Parsley is considered a diuretic, blood purifier, and detoxifier. Regular intake is supposed to help digestion, enhance metabolism, and promote appetite.
Parsley has been used for millennia in traditional herbal therapy to treat a wide range of medical ailments. It has been touted as curing cancer, anemia, and arthritis, and as a carminative to reduce flatulence. Moreover, it is claimed to have aphrodisiac and hypotensive properties.
Including herbs and spices such as parsley in your food is a terrific way to improve taste without adding excess salt. It is also an excellent method to supplement critical nutrients and get the full range of health advantages that the small herb has to offer.
Caution
Parsley has a long history of safe use, but that doesn’t imply it’s safe. Overuse of the herb can result in a range of complications, including liver and renal difficulties. Because there isn’t much knowledge regarding how much parsley is too much, it’s preferable to use it as an ingredient rather than as a supplement.
Source: medicinenet.com©
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