How To Make Parsley Tea for Swollen Ankles, Legs and Feet

Parsley looks great as a garnish, so many have forgotten that this beautiful plant can also be used in many other ways. Eating an abundance of parsley has always been equated to health and this herb is believed to protect from various diseases. Not long ago, parsley tea was frequently used to treat different maladies. It is now being revived as a powerful herbal remedy. One of the conditions parsley can help with is leg edema or swollen legs.

What Is Edema

The term edema refers to the retention of fluids in the body. Sometimes, it can be normal to have a bit of swelling in your legs, for example, after a day spent standing or sitting, or during pregnancy.

However, leg and ankle swelling, also known as peripheral edema, can also signal that there is an underlying issue that might need some attention and treatment. Kidney disease, heart failure, liver disease and certain medications can all result in fluid retention.

Parsley Tea and Leg Swelling

Parsley is a known natural diuretic. It helps the body get rid of excess water and salts by improving kidney function and taking more water from the blood.

A study published in 2002 in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, provided substantial evidence for the use of parsley as a powerful diuretic. The study was done on rats (humans and rats have the same basic physiology). Rats that were offered parsley seed extract to drink produced significantly more urine over a period of 24 hours compared to when they were drinking only water.

Scientists believe that this herb acts in a diuretic way by inhibiting the sodium and potassium ion pumps, influencing the process of osmosis and increasing the flow of urine.

Parsley is rich in potassium. A lot of the chemically produced diuretic drugs lower potassium levels in the body, which is their negative side effect. If you use the simple parsley, you avoid this adverse effect as body’s potassium supply is not depleted.

Parsley is also a powerful antioxidant and I’ve already mentioned it my article about the 9 amazing antioxidants for great health. Parsley is rich in vitamins A and C and is a good source of folic acid, which is one of the top 14 foods and nutrients that protect against cancer development.

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