--- title: "Parsley: Benefits, Uses & Side Effects | Herbadex" description: "Parsley herb is traditionally used as a tea to flush the urinary tract. Avoid more than food amounts in pregnancy, and never take parsley essential oil." language: en url: https://herbadex.com/en/herb/parsley/ source: Herbadex (https://herbadex.com) --- [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) # Parsley Petroselinum crispum T Traditional use Parsley herb is traditionally used as a tea to flush the urinary tract. Avoid more than food amounts in pregnancy, and never take parsley essential oil. [Liver, Kidney & Urinary](https://herbadex.com/en/for/liver-kidney/) ![](/illustrations/kuru-bitki.svg)P Parsley Pregnancy **⚠ Avoid** Breastfeeding **Unknown** Children **Unknown** Drug interactions **Interaction reported** ## At a glance Parsley is one of the most widely used kitchen herbs. Germany's Commission E approved the dried herb for flushing the urinary tract by increasing urine flow and for preventing kidney gravel. No clinical trials support this use. Food amounts are considered safe; high doses, the seed and the essential oil carry risks. **Parts used:** herb (leaves and stems) **Key constituents:** Essential oil (apiole, myristicin), Flavonoids (apigenin), Furanocoumarins Updated: October 24, 2026 Sources and research limitations appear below. The existence of a source does not mean every use has been clinically verified. ## What is it used for? - T Traditional use Germany's Commission E traditionally approved dried parsley herb, taken with plenty of fluid, for flushing the urinary tract in urinary complaints and for preventing kidney gravel. No clinical trials confirm this use, and EMA and ESCOP have not assessed it. \[1\] ## How is it used? ### Tea Dried parsley herb is prepared as a tea. Drink at least 2 litres of fluid a day during use. **Amount:** 6 g dried herb per day \[1\] ## Safety & interactions - Avoid more than food amounts in pregnancy; high doses, the seed and the essential oil may stimulate menstruation and cause miscarriage. - Do not use it for flushing if you have inflammatory kidney disease or oedema caused by heart or kidney failure. - Never take parsley essential oil by mouth; it contains apiole and myristicin, and headache, convulsions and kidney damage have been reported. - Its furanocoumarins can cause sun sensitivity and phototoxic skin reactions. - Cross-allergy is possible in people allergic to celery, carrot, fennel or other plants of the carrot family. - See a doctor if there is blood in the urine, fever, pain or burning when urinating. \[1\] \[2\] ### Drug interactions | Medicine / substance | Effect | Severity | | --- | --- | --- | | Sirolimus | Parsley may increase blood levels of sirolimus. If you take this drug after an organ transplant, ask your doctor before using medicinal amounts of parsley products. [2] | Moderate | ### Side effects - Rare allergic reactions - Sun sensitivity and phototoxic skin reactions - Headache, convulsions and kidney damage after swallowing the essential oil #### ⚕ When to see a doctor - If high fever, shortness of breath or purulent/bloody phlegm develops - If symptoms do not improve within 1–2 weeks or worsen - If severe abdominal pain, jaundice, rash or allergic reaction occurs ## Frequently asked questions Is parsley tea a diuretic? Germany's Commission E traditionally approved parsley herb for flushing the urinary tract. Clinical trials have not confirmed this effect, and it should not be used with kidney inflammation or oedema. Can I eat parsley while pregnant? Normal amounts in food are considered safe. Avoid amounts above food use, regular high-dose parsley courses, the seed and the essential oil during pregnancy. Can parsley bring on a period? High doses of parsley, its seed and its oil are traditionally known to stimulate menstruation and can cause miscarriage. Using it for this purpose is not safe; see a doctor if your period is late. Does parsley help pass kidney stones? The Commission E use aims to prevent kidney gravel, not to pass existing stones. No clinical trials show this; see a doctor for kidney stone symptoms. Does parsley help with dark skin spots? Only one small study has looked at melasma. The evidence is not enough to make a recommendation. ## Sources Source type is not an efficacy rating. A monograph may document traditional use or safety. Claim numbers link to the relevant source; the access date does not indicate professional approval. 1. [Petroselini herba](https://altmeyers.org/en/naturopathy/petroselini-herba-143847) Altmeyers Enzyklopädie — Naturheilkunde · 2025 · Reference book Source accessed: October 24, 2026 2. [Parsley](https://www.drugs.com/npp/parsley.html) Drugs.com — Natural Products (Wolters Kluwer) · 2026 · Reference book Source accessed: October 24, 2026 ### Cite This Page Parsley (Petroselinum crispum). Herbadex — Doğal Şifa Rehberi (2026). https://herbadex.com/en/herb/parsley/ ## Related guides and comparisons - [How to Use Essential Oils Safely](https://herbadex.com/en/guide/essential-oil-safety/) - [Herbal Products and Drug Interactions](https://herbadex.com/en/guide/herb-drug-interactions/) - [Herbal Products in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding](https://herbadex.com/en/guide/herbal-products-in-pregnancy/) ## On this page At a glance What is it used for? How is it used? Safety & interactions Frequently asked questions Sources Related herbs ## Related herbs ![](/illustrations/diger.svg)C Cranberry ### [Cranberry](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/cranberry/) B Limited clinical evidence Vaccinium macrocarpon Cranberry products may lower the risk of recurrent urinary tract infections; they do not clear an existing infection. People on warfarin should ask first. [Liver, Kidney & Urinary](https://herbadex.com/en/for/liver-kidney/) [Clay, Soap & Other](https://herbadex.com/en/form/other/) ![](/illustrations/kuru-bitki.svg)O Olive Leaf ### [Olive Leaf](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/olive-leaf/) B Limited clinical evidence Olea europaea Olive leaf is traditionally used for mild water retention; its extract may lower blood pressure slightly. Not advised in pregnancy or under 18. [Heart & Circulation](https://herbadex.com/en/for/heart-circulation/) [Liver, Kidney & Urinary](https://herbadex.com/en/for/liver-kidney/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Pumpkin Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/pumpkin-seed/) B Limited clinical evidence Cucurbita pepo Pumpkin seed is traditionally used for urinary symptoms of benign prostate enlargement or overactive bladder, after a doctor rules out serious disease. [Men’s Health](https://herbadex.com/en/for/mens-health/) [Liver, Kidney & Urinary](https://herbadex.com/en/for/liver-kidney/) [Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/form/seed/) ### [Corn Silk](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/corn-silk/) T Traditional use Zea mays A tea made from the silky threads of corn cobs, traditionally drunk to increase urine flow in minor urinary complaints. It does not cause weight loss. [Liver, Kidney & Urinary](https://herbadex.com/en/for/liver-kidney/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Horsetail](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/horsetail/) T Traditional use Equisetum arvense Horsetail is traditionally used to increase urine flow in minor urinary complaints and, on the skin, to support healing of superficial wounds. [Liver, Kidney & Urinary](https://herbadex.com/en/for/liver-kidney/) [Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Milk Thistle](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/milk-thistle/) T Traditional use Silybum marianum Milk thistle fruit is traditionally used to support liver function, after a doctor has ruled out serious disease, and for indigestion. [Liver, Kidney & Urinary](https://herbadex.com/en/for/liver-kidney/) [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/form/seed/) ## Other herbs in the same preparation form (Dried Herb & Tea) [Dried Herb & Tea →](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Psyllium Husk](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/psyllium-husk/) A Strong clinical evidence Plantago ovata Taken with plenty of water, psyllium husk helps soften stools in constipation; keep a gap between it and other medicines. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Heart & Circulation](https://herbadex.com/en/for/heart-circulation/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [St. John's Wort](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/st-johns-wort/) A Strong clinical evidence Hypericum perforatum St John's wort extract may help with mild to moderate depressive episodes, but it seriously interacts with many medicines, including the pill. [Sleep, Stress & Mood](https://herbadex.com/en/for/sleep-stress/) [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Black Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/black-tea/) A Strong clinical evidence Camellia sinensis Its caffeine can increase attention and alertness. Observational studies link regular tea drinking to lower cardiovascular risk. [Energy & Focus](https://herbadex.com/en/for/energy-focus/) [Heart & Circulation](https://herbadex.com/en/for/heart-circulation/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Artichoke Leaf](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/artichoke-leaf/) B Limited clinical evidence Cynara cardunculus (syn. C. scolymus) Artichoke leaf is traditionally used for indigestion with fullness, bloating and wind; it must not be used with gallbladder disease. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) This page is for information only and is not medical advice. If you take medication, are pregnant, or have a health condition, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before use.