Parsley

Family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) (Carrot Family); Subfamily Apioideae, Amminae Tribe Forms and Subspecies The species is divided into two subspecies (Frank 1994, 105): Petroselinum crispum ssp. crispum (leaf parsley; has a smooth-leaved and a crisp-leaved form, as well as three chemotypes [see "Constituents"] ) Petroselinum crispum ssp. tuberosum (Bernh. ex Rchb.) So (root parsley, parsley root) Synonyms Apium hortense E.H.L. Krause Apium laetum Salisb. Apium petroselinum L. Apium romanum Zuccagni Apium vulgare Druce Carum petroselinum Benth. et Hook. Helosciadium oppositifolium Reuss Ligusticum levisticum Elsmann Petroselinum hortense Hoffm. Petroselinum macedonicum (Lonitzer) Bubani Petroselinum petroselinum Karst. Petroselinum sativum auct. non. Hoffm. Petroselinum sativum Hoffm. Petroselinum vulgare Kirschl. Selinum petroselinum E.H.L. Krause Sium oppositifolium Kit. Wydleria portoricensis DC. Folk Names Apio ortense (Italian), apium, bittersilche, elixanter, gartenpetersilie, jaubert, maghdunes (Iraq), oxillatrum, parsley, perejil (Spanish), persil, peterchen, peterlein, peterling, peterselie (Dutch), petershiljen, petersilie, petersilienkraut, petersill, petersillig, petroselino, petrosella, pitar saleri (Hindi), prezzemolo, silk, tukhm-i-kalam (Persian) History It is possible that Dioscorides described parsley under the name sison as a seed that was savored in Syria (3.57). Whether the ancient Egyptians used the plant is a subject of debate (Germer 1985, 144 f. *). One of the earliest descriptions of parsley mentions a psychoactive property: "It produces seriousness in the mind of a person" (Hildegard von Bingen, Physica 1.68). It has been listed as a medicine in all pharmacopoeias since the Middle Ages (Schneider 1974,3:43*). The chief significance of parsley is culinary; it is used as a kitchen spice, soup seasoning, and aromatic substance (including for alcoholic beverages; cf. alcohol). In the history of psychoactive substances, the plant is of only minor importance. It may have been an ingredient in witches' ointments and theriac. It was often used as a beer additive. Since the 1960s, the dried herbage has been smoked as a marijuana substitute (cf. Cannabis indica). The root is sometimes used as an ingredient in incense, while parsley oil is used in the (illegal) manufacture of psychoactive phenethylamines of the MDA or MDMA type (see Myristica fragrans, herbal ecstasy; Shulgin and Shulgin 1991*). Distribution Parsley is thought to have originated in the Mediterranean region. As a result of cultivation, it is now found throughout the world and has become wild in some areas. Cultivation Parsley is very easily grown from seed. The seeds need only be broadcast onto a bed of good topsoil and watered. Appearance This biennial fragrant plant has pinnate, incised leaves, a smooth stalk, and a spindle- or turnipshaped vertical root. The root of the subspecies tuberosum is substantially thicker and more bulbous than that of the rest of the species. The white umbel, which grows from the center of the branching stalk, does not appear until the second year. For this reason, most hobby gardeners are unfamiliar with flowering parsley. The flowering period is from June to July. The gray-brown, 2 to 3 mm long fruits mature on the ten- to twentyflower pedicels, which are arranged on the umbel in a radial manner. Parsley can be confused with the only other member of the genus, Petroselinum segetum (L.) Koch. It is also very similar to the toxic dog parsley (Aethusa cynapium L.) and poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) (Frank 1994, 106). Psychoactive Material - Herbage (petroselini herba, folia petroselini, herba petroselini, parsley leaves), fresh or dried - Seeds (semen petroselini, petroselini fructus) - Parsley fruit oil (petroselinum aetheroleum e fructibus, oleum petroselini, parsley seed oil, grtines apiol, apiolum) - Root (petroselini radix, radix petroselini, parsley root)

Preparation and Dosage The subspecies crispum is used primarily for its herbage, while the subspecies tuberosum is used chiefly for its root. A daily medicinal dose is regarded as 6 g of the dried herbage (Frank 1994, 115). For the ingestion of powdered parsley fruits, a therapeutic single dose is 1 g. For a cold- or hot-water extract, a daily dose is listed as 1 to 3 g of seeds crushed shortly before being steeped (112). A hot-water extract or infusion should be allowed to steep for five to ten minutes. Parsley fruit oil is obtained by distilling the mature fruits. The composition of the oil varies depending on the chemical race (see "Constituents"). As a result, the different oils have correspondingly different applications and dosages. The oil of the apiol race is used to induce abortions. For this purpose, either a single dose of up to 10.8 g or a daily dose of 1 g for one to two weeks is ingested (Frank 1994, 109). Only the oil of the myristicin race can be used for psychoactive purposes (cf. Myristica fragrans). Unfortunately, no reliable information regarding dosages is available.Ritual Use Parsley herbage played a magical and apotropaic role in the customs of central Europe: In Moravia, the plant makes the influence of witches upon cows ineffective if it is sown between the 24th and the 26th of June. In many communities, a wreath of parsley is placed on a child's head on its first birthday, for it has then survived the most dangerous time. According to a widely held superstition, pulling a parsley root from the ground will bring death to that person who was thought of when it was planted. In Galacia, the Ruthenian bride carries bread and parsley on the way to the church so as to ward off evil spirits. Garlic and parsley are tied to the linen cloth under which a woman in labor lies in order to protect her from magic. (Schopf 1986, 124*) Artifacts None Medicinal Use Parsley herbage is used in folk medicine to purify the blood and to treat diseases of the urinary tract. In homeopathy, both an essence of the fresh herbage-Petroselinum-Petersilie (Petroselinum crispurn hom. HAB1, Petroselinum sativum hom. HPUS88)-and a tincture made from the mature fruits-Petroselinum e seminibus-are used (Schneider 1974,3:43*). Constituents The entire plant contains an essential oil consisting of myristicin, p-apiol (= parsley camphor), monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes. The seeds contain the highest concentration of essential oil (2 to 6%; average 2.70/0) (Czygan 1989, 268; Fuhner 1943, 240*; Roth et al. 1994, 552*). Three chemotypes (chemical races) have been distinguished on the basis of the principal constituents of the essential oil of the mature fruits (Frank 1994, 106; Warncke 1992): - Myristicin race, with 49 to 77% myristicin, 0 to 30/0 apiol, and 1 to 23% allyltetramethoxybenzol - Apiol race, with 58 to 80% apio!, 9 to 30% myristicin, and up to 6% allyltetramethoxybenzol - Allyltetramethoxybenzol race, with 50 to 60% allyltetramethoxybenzol, 26 to 370/0 myristicin, and traces of apiol The essential oil of the root of the subspecies tuberosum is composed chiefly of apiol (principal constituent), ~-pinene, and myristicin but has traces of elemicine, limonene, bisabolene, .sesquiphellandrene, and germacrene-A (Czygan 1989, 370 f.; Frank 1994, 116). The herbage contains flavones (apiine) and furanocoumarin (cf. coumarins). The fruits are rich in a fatty oil (petroselinic acid). The roots contain polyacetylene and furanocoumarin. Parsley herbage has a high vitamin C content (165 mg per 100 g) and also contains nicotine amide and considerable potassium (1 %). Effects The essential oil of the apiol race has powerful abortive effects (Fuhner 1943, 240*) and also can induce coma (Frank 1994, 109). The essential oil of the myristicin race has primarily psychoactive and inebriating effects comparable to those of Myristicafragrans (Czygan 1989,369). Commercial Forms and Regulations Fresh parsley is one of the most commonly sold herb seasonings. The dried herbage, the seeds, and the dried root (chopped drug) can be procured in herb shops and pharmacies (without restriction). The seeds can also be obtained in flower shops. Literature See also the entries for witches' ointments and essential oils. Czygan, Franz-Christian. 1989. Petersilienfrtichte [and] Petersilienwurzel. In Teedrogen, ed. M. Wichtl, 368-69 and 370-71. Stuttgart: WVG. (Two separate articles.) Frank, Bruno. 1994. Petroselinum. In Hagers Handbueh der pharmazeutisehen Praxis, 5th ed., 6:105-19. Berlin: Springer. Warncke, D. 1992. Untersuchungen tiber die Zusammensetzung der atherischen Ole von Petroselinum erispum (Mill.) A.W. Hill und Petroselinum segetum (L.) Koch unter besonderer Berticksichtigung von Handelsdrogen und Handelsolen. Diss. (biology),Wtirzburg.