Parsley is a leafy herb that is easily available round the year in almost all the regions. This culinary herb is one of the best disease fighting herbs. We usually use this in garnishing but it has many more health benefits than just as a garnishing ingredient. This contains many medicinal properties so it can be directly used as a medicine too.

Parsley Benefits for Skin:

The skin care properties of parsley are not much recognized and are highly under-rated. Some of the benefits of parsley for skin are as follows.

Since Vitamin C is not naturally present in the body, we need to consume it in sufficient amounts through food. The high amount of Vitamin C in parsley nourishes the skin from within to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and scars. Consuming parsley stimulates the production of collagen in the skin and promotes cell reproduction and repair. This leads to faster growth of new skin which results in blemish free, even and smooth skin.

Parsley contains beta carotene which is converted to Vitamin A for proper maintenance and repairing of skin. Thus eating parsley improves skin’s elasticity and speeds up the wound healing process.

Parsley works wonder to erase under eye dark circles. It contains high amount of Vitamin C, chlorophyll and Vitamin K which helps to lighten the under eye area and reduce puffiness. To create parsley under eye pack, chop a handful of parsley roughly and squish it to release its juice. Mix it with 1 teaspoon of yoghurt and apply it on the under eye region. Or you can even soak cotton balls in parsley juice and keep it under the eyes for 10 minutes. Do this twice a week to reduce dark circles.

The volatile oils, eugenol particularly, present in parsley provides antibacterial and anti-fungal properties which is useful for treating acne, pimples, skin infection and to disinfect pores. Parsley oil is easily available in the market. Never apply parsley oil directly to the face as it can burn the skin. Dilute parsley oil with carrier oil like olive or almond oil and then apply it to the face. Leave it for 30 minutes and then rinse off

Consuming parsley abundantly helps to balance excess sebum secretion in oily skin. It further helps to clear the pores which might otherwise lead to acne outbreaks. Zinc in parsley controls skin inflammation and promotes skin regeneration. It also reduces the redness and diminishes acne blemishes.

Parsley contains high amount of antioxidant which protects our skin from free radical damage and delays the signs of ageing like fine lines and wrinkles.

Parsley contains minerals like calcium, potassium, manganese, copper and zinc which are essential for maintaining healthy skin. Extract the juice from the leaves and mix it with 200 ml of water. Drink this concoction daily to get healthy skin.

Ladies with combination and oily skin tone can prepare this homemade toner to prevent zits and pimples. Take some parsley in a bowl and mash it using a spoon or fork. Add 2 teaspoon of honey to it and mix it thoroughly till the honey turns green. Apply it on the face and wash it off after 10 minutes. Follow it up with a moisturizer of your choice. Both honey and parsley contain antibacterial properties which treat pimples and keep the skin smooth and nourished. Use fresh parsley leaves instead of dried parsley for preparing this pack.

You can also use dried parsley as a facial treatment. Take a spoonful of dried parsley leaves and add it to 200 ml of water. Boil it for at least 20 minutes. Remove it from the flames and let it cool in room temperature. You can use this water to rinse you face once or twice a day. Prepare fresh rinse daily to obtain maximum benefits.

Parsley is beneficial for reducing the appearance of dark spot and skin discoloration. Parsley, honey and lemon juice face pack can effectively erase dark spots and skin discoloration. Take one medium sized bundle of parsley leaves and soak it in warm water. Chop it finely and then crush it in a mortar. Add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of raw honey to it and mash it up well. Cleanse your skin with a gentle cleanser and then apply this pack on the face, focusing on the blackhead areas. Leave it for 20 minutes and then rinse it off. This face pack will refresh and revitalize the skin.

Take a blender and blend a handful of parsley leaves with yoghurt. Grind it thoroughly to form a smooth paste. Add 1 teaspoon of oatmeal and a few drops of tea tree oil to it. Apply it on clean face and neck and leave it for 15 minutes. Wash it off and pat dry. Apply this face pack thrice a week to remove dead skin cells and accumulated dirt from the face.

You can also prepare a parsley toner to get a glowing skin. Take a bundle of parsley leaves and mash it using a fork to extract its juice. Add distilled boiling water to it and leave it aside to let it cool. Now add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 3 drops of tea tree oil and 3 drops of rosemary essential oil to it. You can even store it in refrigerator. When required, dip a cotton ball in the toner and apply it to the face in circular motion. This toner is highly clarifying. It helps to balance the pH level of the skin and kill acne causing bacteria. It will also treat oily skin and skin inflammation.

Rub dried or fresh parsley leaves on irritated skin or insect bites to soothe skin irritation. When dealing with boils, boil parsley leaves in water and apply it on the affected areas for a few hours. It also helps to fade freckles and spots. Application of parsley seed oil can help to heal bruises.

Parsley Benefits for Hair:

Parsley is rich in other important nutrients which address a number of nutritional deficiencies that lead to hair loss or weak hair. Parsley has been traditionally used as a hair tonic to disinfect scalp and control hair loss. It contains apigenin, an antioxidant flavonoid which controls hair fall through the regulation of TGF-beta1 gene. Puree a handful of parsley spring and add 100 ml of water to it. Apply this tonic on wet scalp, wrap your hair in a towel and allow it to sit for an hour. Then wash it off with shampoo.

Parsley contains high amount of copper which helps to retain hair’s natural color. It can be applied topically or can be taken in large amounts in your diet.

Parsley is highly beneficial to promote hair growth. Rub powdered parsley seeds on the scalp and massage your scalp gently with it. This will stimulate scalpel circulation to promote hair growth. Repeat this method twice a week for 2 months to get long and straight hair.

Parsley hair treatment can be used to get silky and smooth hair. Boil water in a pot, add few parsley leaves to it and simmer for 10 minutes. Take out the leaves and blend it to get a smooth and fine paste. Apply this paste on shampooed and clean hair and scalp. Leave it for 1 hour and then wash it off. This hair pack will balance the sebaceous glands to heal scalp problems and cleanse the hair.

Application of parsley paste on the scalp can also help to get rid of lice infestation.

Parsley hair rinse is very effective for imparting shine to the hair. All you need to do is boil some water and add a handful of parsley leaves to it. Simmer it for 30 minutes till it turns yellow. Add juice of a lemon to it and allow it to cool. Rinse your tresses with it after shampooing your hair to witness bright and shiny hair.

Wash your hair with an infusion of parsley leaves to get rid of dandruff.