Precious Parsley

Memories… Parsley is one of the most precious herbs to me because it is tied to very special occasions and people that I have known over the course of my life. A couple of those moments quick flash in my mind no matter where or when I see, smell or taste this garden gift.

My dad especially used Parsley in his cooking which is probably why it most often makes me think of him. He used in his cucumber salad, broiled flounder, rustic potatoes, egg dishes which we coined Klingon food because of their unusual ingredients sometimes, the best Bavarian Kartoffelklöße (potato dumplings), and so many other ways. And we even just ate it by itself stalk and all. He was never concerned with having too much and I personally didn’t mind that one bit. He said it was good medicine and that was that. I have done my own research over the years to find out what that meant and I want to share my findings with you.

I also remember a time he grew so much of it in concrete container pots that it flowered and looked more like a shrub than Parsley and wisely spread its seeds far and wide so that the following season we had Parsley in the “wild.” Not sure why he stopped growing it after many years but that happy Precious Parsley maintained its presence in our home.

As a little girl I actually thought Parsley and broccoli were some kind of baby tree or bush especially after the gigantic ones I just mentioned. The tad bit bitter juicy grassy taste of Parsley makes me smile. It tastes healthy to me. Whether it is curly or flat leaf…YUM! I am thankful Peter enjoys it as well. I like using it in my cooking and in smoothies and I can always feel its goodness at work in the body afterward.

My mom used it too. She was known for sometimes grabbing a long stalk full of leafs and bite it like a fish going after a big worm and then smile with part of the stalk still hanging out between her lips. Mom would do that out of nowhere just to make us laugh. And like Dad said it was good medicine.

As a precious herb Parsley makes me also think of Passover and the Passover Seder, the very special meal Yahweh had directed His people to partake in prior to and after their deliverance from Egypt. There is so much symbolism in this that I will only touch on a few key points for this topic. Parsley along with other bitter herbs are served to call to mind the bitterness of captivity, ungodly influences, and slavery. They are to remind us of how precious God’s Salvation really is and the importance of freedom that only He can Provide. And the importance of being where He wants us to be living life as close to Him and His Ways as possible. This was also a time to consider the promise of the Messiah who would one day deliver us from the bitterness of life, of evil, sin, and death. God had promised Salvation way back in the Garden of Eden after the fall of woman and man to the lies of Satan. It must have been more bitter for Adam and Eve than we could ever imagine since they did not know sin until they believed and chose to put faith in the lies spoken of by the Deceiver in Genesis… instead of keeping their trust in God. In my album The Resplendent Love of The Creator, this theme song and the impressions from Sacred Scripture alongside it convey this in a musical expression.

Parsley is also a natural detoxifying or cleansing herb, as most bitter herbs are, removing impurities from our body. Just like our bodies need the corrupting impurities or toxins to be removed so do our souls and for me that Hope, that Cleansing, is in Almighty God and Messiah Yeshua, Jesus, who fulfilled all the Scriptures foretold perfectly, beyond mathematical computation. He indeed bore the bitterness of evil, sin and death and conquered it in absolute victory as only God could have promised and fulfilled. He did this for us so that we could overcome this world as well. May we see our need of Him and choose to receive His “Medicine” for our souls. For those who put their trust in Him, He takes our bitterness and gives us Life.

Whew, that is a lot to think about. Precious Parsley inspires me to think on these things. So what about the “good medicine” God put in Parsley. Let me give you a little list, of course, always do your own research and if you need to, please talk to a health pro who may help you should you have a little condition or concern. I am just putting a “blip” on your botanical radarJ Once you read this list take time to consider what I wrote above as I believe as you study that topic in more depth it will bless you. In encourage you to pray and ask God to show you more. This herb gives a powerful testimony to the awesomeness of God in a way you may never have considered before…

Benefits:

Purifies the Blood

Detoxifies the Body

It is a Diuretic which Helps Deal with Water Retention

Supports Healthy Gut, Digestion and Appetite

Been Known to Cure Cancer

Breath Freshener

Heals Anemia

Mends Arthritis

Heals and Improves Our Taste Buds

Good for Blood Pressure and Hypertension

It is a Natural Antifungal

It is a Natural Antibacterial

Good for Skin, Bones, Mouth, Liver

Supports Immune System

Helps with Urinary Tract Infections

Prevents and Helps Remove Gall and Kidney Stones

Aids Glands

Good for Diabetes

Helps Maintain Vision and Prevents Degenerative Aging Conditions of the Eyes

Anti-aging Properties

Helps Reverse Pollution Damage

Prevents Bloating

Good for Cholesterol

Aids the Eyes Dealing with Night Blindness

The Roots, Seeds, Leaves are Good for Diarrhea as well as Laxative, It Balances

Helps with Nutrient Absorption

Improves Sleep

Good for Osteoporosis

Good for Menstrual Cycles

Helpful in Pregnancy

Anti-inflammatory

Helps the Body Deal with Bad Ultra Violet Rays

And the list could go on….do you see what I mean about Precious Parsley?

Full of essential nutrients like copper, vitamin C, vitamin A, packed with antioxidants, flavinoids (anti-inflammatory), folic acid, iron, vitamin K, vitamin B, and many others. Plus it is high in fiber, low in sodium, what a blessing!

Parsley Tea, just like Sanative Sage and the Lovely Linden, also can be taken in tea form. 1 teaspoon of dry herb per cup, 8 ounces of boiling water simmer for a least a few minutes and enjoy. Of course, as I shared it is so delicious in a number of dishes and just by itself. It is super easy to dry or freeze for storage so you always have some in stock. This herb is truly precious and a great reminder of the Goodness of God who Created this for us. Incredible!

This herb along with many others makes wonderful gifts. Years ago I received a real beauty from a dear friend who was originally from Japan. I still have some of the seeds to keep it going for a long time, Good Lord Willing.

Consider the Passage below, it is a personal favorite, and by all means please find a stalk and bite it like a fish going after a worm and enjoy!

Psalm 103 KJV

(A Psalm of David.) Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

7 He made known His ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel.

8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

9 He will not always chide: neither will He keep His anger for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.

13 Like as a father pitieth His children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear Him.

14 For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children's children;

18 To such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His commandments to do them.

19 The LORD hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all.

20 Bless the LORD, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word.

21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye His hosts; ye ministers of His, that do His pleasure.

22 Bless the LORD, all His works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

Until next thyme…