Apart from its cuisine-related use, it is attributed numerous qualities when used as an add-on therapy for conditions such as:
kidney and bladder stones, urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal disorders, constipation, jaundice (icterus), flatulence (excessive winds), indigestion, colics, diabetes, cough, asthma, oedema (swelling of tissues), osteoarthritis, anaemia, hypertension, prostate conditions and spleen conditions.
The recommended daily dose of parsley to ensure effectiveness when used as add-on treatment is 6 grams. Its medical effects are believed to be due to its volatile oils myristicin and apiol.
Parsley was reported to have a minor interraction with Warfarin (an anticoagulant) and it is contraindicated in case of pregnancy (induces abortion). Also, it should not be used as single medication to treat oedema due to cardiovascular cause or inflammation of kidneys.
However, new studies have demonstrated that parsley (apart from its diuretic effect) is a useful natural candidate to treat some autoimmune and allergic diseases as a result of its immunomodulatory effect.