PDR for Herbal Medicines

568 /PARSLEY PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

er). alpha- and beta-pinene, alpha- and beta-phellandrene,

hybrid strains also exist

Furocoumarins: including among others, bergapten, oxy-

peucedanin, isopimpinellin, psoralen, xanthotoxin,

imperatorin

Flavonoids (1.9-5.6%): chief components apiin

Vitamins: in particular ascorbic acid (up to 165 mg per 100

gm)

COMPOUNDS: PARSLEY ROOT

Volatile oil (0.05-0.12%): chief components of Petroselinum

crispum ssp. crispum apiole, myristicin, terpinolene, tubero-

sum apiole, beta-pinene, additionally including among oth-

ers, alpha- and beta-pinene, (+)-limonene, beta-

bisabolene

Phthalides: including among others, ligustilide, senky-

unolide

Furocoumarins: including among others, bergaptene, oxy-

peucedanin, isopimpinellin, psoralen, xanmotoxin and

imperatorin

Flavonoids (0.2-1.3%): chief components apiin

Polyynes: including among others, falcarinol, falcarindiol

EFFECTS: PARSLEY HERB AND ROOT

Although its mode of action has not been clearly explained,

its use for urinary tract complaints seems plausible.

COMPOUNDS: PARSLEY FRUIT

Volatile oil (2-6%): chief components, according to breed

Apiole (58-80J& ^ _

Myristicin (49-77%)

1 -allyl-2,3,4,5-tetramethoxybenzole (50-60%)

Alpha- and beta-pinene, beta-phellandrene: among others

Furocoumarins: including among others bergapten, oxy-

peucedanin, isopimpinellin, psoralen, xanthotoxin arid

imperatorin

Fatty oil: chief fatty acid petroselic acid (60-80%)

EFFECTS: PARSLEY FRUIT
In animal experiments, a diuretic effect is said to have been
demonstrated with low doses as well as a moderate increase
in uterine tone. Higher doses increase contractility of the
smooth muscle of the intestine, bladder and especially the
uterus and therefore may be abortifacient; this explains its
use for menstruation complaints.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

PARSLEY HERB AND ROOT

Approved by Commission E:

• Infections of the urinary tract


• Kidney and bladder stones
  Unproven Uses: The herb is used for flushing the efferent
  urinary tract and for the prevention and treatment of kidney
  gravel. In folk medicine, it is used for gastrointestinal
  disorders, jaundice, kidney and bladder inflammation, as a
  diuretic and as an emmenagogue.
  Homeopathic Uses: Inflammation of the urinary tract and
  irritable bladder.
  PARSLEY FRUIT
  Unproven Uses: In folk medicine, the fruit has been used for
  menstrual disturbances, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract,
  the, kidneys and lower urinary tract, and as a digestive.
  CONTRAINDICATIONS
  PARSLEY HERB, ROOT AND FRUIT
  The herb is contraindicated in patients allergic to parsley or
  apiole, those with kidney inflammations and in pregnant
  women. Irrigation therapy should not be carried out in the
  presence of edema resulting from reduced cardiac and
  kidney function.
  PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
  PARSLEY HERB AND ROOT
  General: No health hazards or side effects are known in
  conjunction with the proper administration of designated
  therapeutic dosages. The drug leads rarely to contact
  allergies; photodermatosis is also conceivable following
  intensive skin contact between freshly harvested plant parts
  and light-skinned individuals.
  Pregnancy: Therapeutic doses are contraindicated in
  pregnancy.
  PARSLEY FRUIT
  General: No health hazards or side effects are known in
  conjunction with the proper administration of designated
  therapeutic dosages. The drug leads rarely to contact
  allergies; photodermatoses occur somewhat more frequently
  following skin contact.
  Pregnancy: Parsley fruit preparations are contraindicated in
  pregnancy; an abortive effect has been observed.
  OVERDOSAGE
  PARSLEY HERB, ROOT AND FRUIT
  The administration of higher dosages of the volatile oil or of
  preparations with high concentrations of the volatile oil can
  lead to poisonings. Symptoms include elevated contractility
  of the smooth musculature, in particular of the urinary
  bladder, of the intestines and of the uterus. Other symptoms