Tea
Parsley tea
Parsley is not decoration on the edge of the plate. It is one of the strongest diuretic herbs we have in the kitchen, and has been used for swollen legs as long as anyone can remember.
A large handful of fresh parsley, boiling water, ten minutes. That is the whole recipe.
But read the safety section before you begin. Parsley is the herb on this list where the difference between seasoning and medicine matters most.
Ingredients
- 1 large handful fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- 500 ml boiling water
Equipment
- Strainer
- Jug
- Cup
Method
- 1
Chop a handful of fresh parsley, pour 500 ml boiling water over, steep 10 minutes.
Dosage
1-2 cups daily before 4 pm, for no more than 2 weeks at a stretch.
Shelf life
Drink fresh. Keeps 1 day refrigerated.
Safety
Not during pregnancy. Parsley in medicinal amounts can bring on contractions, and has historically been used for exactly that. Parsley as a seasoning in food is another matter and is perfectly fine.
If you have kidney disease, do not drink it without speaking to your doctor. Parsley strains kidneys that are already weakened.
It can amplify diuretic medication and affect blood thinners, because it is high in vitamin K.
Parsley can make skin more sensitive to sunlight in large amounts.
Not as a permanent daily course. Two weeks at most, then a break.
Swollen legs can come from the heart, kidneys or liver. If the swelling is new, in one leg only, or comes with breathlessness, see a doctor first. One-sided swelling can be a blood clot.
How the herbs work
Parsley contains apiol and myristicin, which increase how much water and salt the kidneys pass. It is a strong, well-documented diuretic action, and the reason both that the plant helps swelling and that it must be treated with respect.
The leaves are also very rich in vitamin C, iron and vitamin K.
The content here is general knowledge and folk herbal lore, not medical treatment. In illness, pregnancy, breastfeeding or alongside medication: always talk to your doctor first.