A pleasant refreshing smell of parsley habitually accompanies us all year round in sprinkled with green meat, soup, vegetable salad and winter canned food. But if in ordinary life few people think about the number of leaves or roots eaten, then during pregnancy, the expectant mother needs to be careful and cautious when using this spice, which has very strong and unexpected properties.
Botanical description
Brilliant pinnacle bright green leaves of the biennial from the Umbrella family, which grows up to a meter in height, by the content of vitamins and minerals are ahead of other vegetables and fruits. Thanks to the essential oils, all parts of the plant have a spicy taste and smell - both a branched stem and a cone-shaped fleshy root.
Did you know? In ancient Rome, parsley was given to gladiators before the battle to give courage and boost morale.
Most often grow leafy varieties with ordinary and curly leaves, and the root variety of the plant. In addition to applications in cooking, has long been used in medicine to accelerate wound healing, improve kidney function and as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Benefits and harms during pregnancy
Parsley, as a natural source of vitamins, minerals and biologically active compounds necessary in the diet of a pregnant woman, has a positive effect on the state of the future mother and the formation of organs and systems of the child.
Medicinal properties of spices are extensive and varied:
- vitamin C, the amount of which in this plant is much more than in citrus, strengthens the immune system and increases resistance to infectious diseases;
- high iron content protects women from anemia and prevents the growing child from oxygen starvation;
- salts of potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus are necessary for the proper development of pregnancy and the formation of a healthy musculoskeletal system in the embryo;
- folic acid protects the nervous system of the fetus from congenital abnormalities;
- parsley has antipyretic properties, and its diuretic effect helps to relieve swelling;
- rubbing the skin with plant sap treats acne, produces a whitening effect and reduces pigmentation, often appearing during pregnancy.
But the aromatic spice has other properties that, if used excessively, can have a negative effect. Essential oils of spice contain substances that enhance the tone of the uterus and act as a muscle stimulator. In folk medicine, this plant is often used as an abortive means.
Important! Do not exceed the daily rate of parsley consumption due to the threat of miscarriage or premature birth.
In addition, part of the spice myristicin can cause dizziness, impaired coordination and seizures. Penetrating through the placenta, it can cause increased heart rate in the fetus and other pathologies.
Is it possible to eat parsley during pregnancy
With proper use of the plant in reasonable quantities, you can avoid the negative impact on the health of the woman and the fetus. Everyone knows the unusual taste preferences of pregnant women, but if there is a desire to eat the whole bunch of fresh spicy grass at once, it should be discarded.
It should be kept from eating fresh parsley in large quantities
In the early stages
To provide the body with vitamins and mineral salts, in the first half of pregnancy it is recommended to use fresh greens on a few sprigs as a seasoning to the dishes. You should not drink fresh plant juice and eat seeds that contain an increased amount of essential oils. At the same time there are no restrictions for external use in fresh or in decoctions for cosmetic and medical purposes.
Did you know? In ancient times, parsley was considered a talisman against evil forces, therefore, at the receptions of dignitaries, it was always present in dishes on the table.
On late terms
In the second half of pregnancy, you can use parsley as a seasoning. Broths are used for washing the eyes with conjunctivitis, in the form of lotions to relieve puffiness of the eyelids and for rinsing the mouth for inflammation of the gums.
After consulting a doctor, according to his instructions, you can drink infusions to relieve swelling or nausea for toxemia. Fresh plant juice is used to whiten pigment spots and as a lotion for insect bites.
How to eat parsley
During pregnancy, fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs are indispensable for a woman and her future baby, so you should not give up the natural source of essential vitamins and minerals, getting the benefits and pleasure from the aromatic spice. But before buying parsley, it is desirable to make sure that when it was grown, various chemicals were not used to protect against pests or growth stimulants.
Important! It should be noted that all the properties of parsley during freezing are preserved, and it is impossible to use frozen greens in greater quantities than fresh ones.
Greenery
For a balanced diet, according to the recommendations of doctors, the optimal amount of fresh parsley for pregnant women is 10-15 g per day. Add it to salads and ready meals. Excess doses of 100 g can be potentially dangerous.
When you buy the leaves of the plant should be elastic, have a bright uniform color, dark green color and a shiny surface. The presence of any spots, spots, traces of rot and damage by insects.
The consumption rate of fresh parsley is not more than 100 g per day.
Decoctions and infusions
Greens steamed with boiling water or parsley seeds are used mainly for external use. Sometimes in the second half of pregnancy, it is allowed to use the infusion as a means of nausea and edema by the following prescription.
A teaspoon of seeds to steam up 0.5 liters of boiling water and infuse in a sealed container for 7-8 hours. After straining, take half an hour before meals in a tablespoon. In each case, before making a decision on taking the infusion, you should consult with your doctor or, if possible, replace the spice with another, safer means.
Possible contraindications to use
As with many other products, for some diseases there are restrictions on the use of parsley by pregnant women. Under the prohibition of parsley with individual intolerance to the plant, hypotension, inflammation of the kidneys, bladder and gout. If in the past, a woman has already had miscarriages, you need to abandon the use of all parts of the plant in any form.
We advise you to find out why curly parsley is forbidden to use.
If the measures are taken in the diet, balanced diet and the use of environmentally friendly natural products, the future mother will preserve her health and ensure the normal development of the baby.
