A precious herb
Those who, like me, find in gardening a way to feel in tune with nature, often face some failures despite all their efforts, but we accept them as a challenge. The pleasure of gardening is to use the experience of the past as a tool for success in the future. It is common among lovers of this activity to share experiences and strategies so that their plants have everything they need. In return they reward us by producing the flowers that, in all their splendor, brighten our backyard.
Growing in harmony with other ornamental plants in my garden, aromatic herbs contribute to the balance of this little paradise, releasing their aromas and attracting pollinating insects, providing an environment of well-being and tranquility for all those who value nature. One of these herbs, parsley, being an annual herb, must be sown every year.
The most experienced gardeners know that this herb is a 'temperamental' plant, it grows where it wants and germinates when it wants. For that reason strategies are developed to guarantee the success of the sowing. On the island of Madeira, some farmers sow parsley in secret, they don't tell anyone to garantee the seeds will germinate. Even today, there are those who believe that the delay in the germination of seeds is explained by the superstition that the seeds go to hell seven times and return before the seeds germinate.
In ancient Greece parsley was known as the devil's herb and was associated with death and was not used in food. In Greek mythology, parsley was believed to have arisen from the blood spilled by Archemorus, the messenger of death, after being bitten by a serpent. Parsley therefore became part of the funerary ritual and was often planted around graves.
Due to the symbolism of parsley, it is important to be careful when offering this plant to someone as it can be misinterpreted as wishing them to die. If, on one hand, parsley is linked to funeral rituals, on the other hand, it can help us to prolong life.
Among the many chemical components produced by parsley, myrecetin and apigenin stand out as the main components responsible for the therapeutic properties of the plant.
As a condiment, parsley helps protect against the negative effects of ultraviolet rays by protecting the skin and delaying aging. It contributes to the balance of the intestinal flora and its diuretic properties help to solve kidney problems. In addition, parsley reduces the accumulation of cholesterol because it promotes its elimination.
If these benefits are not enough to justify the consumption of parsley in our diet, we add the fact that this herb reduces the breath of garlic or onions after consuming these raw foods. It is not by chance that in dishes that involve very strong flavors, parsley is often the herb of choice for softening the most pronounced flavors.
If, by chance, one day someone offers you a bunch of parsley, don't misinterpret. The intention is certainly not negative, on the contrary, superstitions apart, it is a way of wishing you health.
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