too much parsley??

[yoyescu]

Hi everybody!!!

We (DH and I) were talking with a client that is a nutrition teacher (SAD of course) about her concern that we were vegan, when I told her we were in journey from 75%/85% to 100% raw she almost fell of her chair. ;)
The real question is that when she ask us about an exemple day menu, I started with the green smoothie of lots of parley or baby spinach becouse it makes us feel so good. she made this panic face and told us to stop immediatly that greens like parsley etc. were leaching the calcium out of our bones. We of couse did not stop but make me wonder as we are new to this lifestyle. I did a little research here in the forum and other places but my main question did not get answered.
Is there such thing as too much pasley, spinach or other greens? my gut feeling says not, but is there? :confused:
Thank you for any light shed on this topic.

[Arky]

All foods should be eaten in moderation, and greens are no exception. However, that does not mean that you should not consume a good quantity of greens every day, it simply means that you should take care to vary the greens you are consuming. For example, spinach is very high in oxalic acid (particularly mature spinach, so it'd be a good idea to buy baby spinach rather than mature). Oxalic acid is a contentious issue. Dr Norman Walker asserted that oxalic acid only hinders calcium absorption if it has been cooked, however many other other commentators feel that oxalic acid is oxalic acid, full-stop. Nevertheless, raw spinach remains an extremely healthy plant to consume and contains a good deal of calcium in itself. I have never heard anything about any greens 'leeching' calcium from the body - greens are chock-full of alkaline minerals and although those with oxalic acid may impede absorption of all calcium ingested, they should not, in any way, serve to leech calcium from the body. I wonder if your client was confusing impeded absorption with leeching?

Problems with excessive consumption of members of the Brassica family (e.g. broccoli, kale etc.) involve their relatively high content of goitrogens - thyroid inhibitory substances. However, brassicas remain some of the healthiest of the already-healthy dark green leafy food family and should still be consumed regularly (incidentally, a little seaweed may help to offset anti-thyroid issues, due to its high iodine, and thus thyroid stimulatory properties). Again, the only concern is to avoid fixating on any one type of greens, and to esnure you consume a nice wide variety. It's no different from any other aspect of diet - i.e. don't focus upon too much citrus or you may experience tooth enamel softening or flushing of calcium or other minerals from the body, but, eaten in sensible quantities, citrus foods are a great contribution to vascular health (hesperidin etc). THERE IS NO FOOD ON THIS PLANET THAT IS ENTIRELY DEVOID OF CERTAIN NEGATIVE CHEMICALS WHICH MAY MAKE THEIR PRESENCE FELT IN AN UNDESIRABLE MANNER IF UNWISELY CONSUMED TO EXCESS. VARIETY AND BALANCE ARE THE KEY.

As you know, people who are in the SAD mindset often baulk at the prospect of high greens intake, when really they have no idea that greens are amongst the very healthiest foods on the planet to consume regularly, are incredibly abundant in the natural environment, and are, to a great extent, what we all evolved to nourish ourselves with.

As ever, it is so utterly ABSURD that raw-foodists are always questioned about 'a typical daily menu' by SAD-eaters, but to throw the very same quaestion back at them would invariably reveal 10 times as many nutritional concerns, which they ignorantly sweep under the carpet, in their own minds.

Provided you vary your greens from day to day, you just keep on consuming them in good quantities and don't let any SAD-eater, not even a qualified SAD-mindset-nutritionist, tell you they are bad for you. Pick up many a SAD-mindset-nutritional textbook and you'll see recommendations to 'eat more dairy' (no mention whatsoever about the dangers of homogenised dairy fat or bovine growth hormone, or pasteurisation, or excessive casein or excessive lactose - oh no, wouldn't want to rock the financial boat of the dairy industry, now would we?!). That's just one or MANY examples in mainstream nutritional textbooks. Let's not even get started on meat as 'the best protein source' blah blah blah - you get the picture, I'm sure.


J.

[RowanC]

Too much of ANYTHING can be dangerous. I would strongly suggest varying your raw diet as much as possible. Here is what I found online about parsley:

Latin name: Petroselinum crispum
A Remedy For


Kidney and bladder stones
Urinary tract infections
Parsley seed, leaf, and root are all used medicinally, but only the leaf and root have been thoroughly tested and found effective for urinary problems.
In folk medicine, Parsley has also been used to treat stomach and intestinal disorders, jaundice, water retention, and failure to menstruate. Its effectiveness for these ailments has not, however, been scientifically proven. Juice pressed from fresh Parsley is a folk remedy for insect bites.

What It Is; Why It Works
Now grown worldwide, Parsley originated somewhere in the Mediterranean region. The Ancient Greeks employed it in their funeral rites, fashioning it into wreaths for their tombs. Ironically, this most widely used of kitchen herbs was never used for cooking in Ancient Greece. Instead, it was held sacred and reserved for the realms of the dead.
From Greece, Parsley spread across the Roman Empire and eventually throughout Europe. The curled-leafed variety, "crispum" was mentioned by the Roman historian Pliny. Others varieties have been known since at least the 18th century.
Although common Parsley seems an unlikely candidate for medicinal use, the oil extracted from the plant is surprisingly potent--and, in large doses, even dangerous. Parsley leaf and root help flush excess water from the body. In animal tests, they have also been found to trigger and strengthen contractions of the uterus.

Avoid If...
Parsley is not recommended for water retention due to a heart or kidney condition; and should not be used if you have a kidney inflammation. You should also avoid Parsley if you have ever suffered an allergic reaction to it or its active ingredient, apiole. Do not take Parsley while pregnant (see "Special Information If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding").

Special Cautions
When using Parsley to flush out the urinary system, be sure to drink large amounts of fluid.
There is a slight possibility that Parsley will cause a skin reaction. Contact with freshly-harvested plants can increase sensitivity of light-skinned individuals to the sun.
Refined Parsley oil is considered too toxic for medicinal use (see "Overdosage").

Possible Drug Interactions
No interactions have been reported.

Special Information If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
Because of Parsley's potentially abortive effects, it should not be used during pregnancy. :eek:

How To Prepare
Parsley seed can be made into a tea. Pour boiling water over 1 gram (about one-quarter teaspoonful) of freshly pressed Parsley, steep for 10 minutes, and strain. The tea should be taken 2 to 3 times a day. Crushed Parsley leaf and root may also be taken as tea.
Dry extracts are available in tablet form.

Typical Dosage
Parsley is taken orally. The usual daily dosage is:

Parsley seed: 2 to 3 grams (about one-half teaspoonful)
Parsley leaf or root: 6 grams (about 1 heaping teaspoonful)
Because the potency of commercial preparations may vary, follow the manufacturer's directions whenever available.
Store Parsley seed away from light and moisture.

Overdosage
High doses of Parsley oil--or preparations rich in the oil--can be poisonous. Symptoms of poisoning include increased contractions of the bladder, intestines and uterus. Other side effects include excessive weight loss, bloody stools, nosebleeds, and, possibly, kidney shutdown.
If you suspect an overdose, check with your doctor immediately.

Photo

[rawpriestess]

interesting information Rowan C


I use parsley as a face pack, it keeps away blemishes and clears discolorations in the skin. it is great, also I like eating it, and it makes your breath smell very fresh.

Victoria Boutenko has a new book out Green for Life, and it talks about how important greens are in our life, you may wish to check it out.

[RowanC]

Don't get me wrong. I certainly do believe that we need to eat our greens, and a lot of them! I just think the old adage of "too much of a good thing can be bad for you" is true. I think it's important to simply vary the greens we eat and eat in moderation.

I'm sure that eating ANYTHING in excess can be harmful. But I doubt that a handful of parsley in a smoothie is going to hurt someone, unless maybe if they're pregnant.

[Arky]

Don't forget that, in trying to obtain a nice spectrum of greens, an excellent way to increase the variety, and do so for free, is to forage for wild edibles. This may sound like a chore but it can actually be quite therapeutic in the psychological sense - getting back to nature etc. Picking dandelions and nettles with birdsong all around me, the smell of the trees and flowers, and the sun on my face is fantastic, I can tell you!

The wonderful bonus of all of this is that wild edibles are so incredibly potent in comparison to even the best organic produce that they will benefit your health immensely - Ann Wigmore healed herself with wild edibles, not farmed produce and wheatgrass, good though these can be for daily consumption. To understand many of the reasons why wild edibles are superior, you should read the following book, by G.T. Wrench: http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13588

The potassium content of dandelions and the chlorophyll, silicon, acetylcholine, and iron content of stinging nettles make them superb foods to consume in addition to the conventional leafy greens from your local organic farm.

J.

[misslinda]

Don't forget that, in trying to obtain a nice spectrum of greens, an excellent way to increase the variety, and do so for free, is to forage for wild edibles. This may sound like a chore but it can actually be quite therapeutic in the psychological sense - getting back to nature etc. Picking dandelions and nettles with birdsong all around me, the smell of the trees and flowers, and the sun on my face is fantastic, I can tell you!



The potassium content of dandelions and the chlorophyll, silicon, acetylcholine, and iron content of stinging nettles make them superb foods to consume in addition to the conventional leafy greens from your local organic farm.

J.

Beautifully illustrated Arky! Yes I agree about dandelions. I gew up eating them. My mother use to pick them before they blossomed--they tasted fantastic :)

[RowanC]

wOW, MissLinda, GREAT pic! I haven't seen that one!

Anyway... I LOVE nettles. Wild nettles are awesome in a green smoothie!

and if you have dandruff, they will cure it quickly in a tea rinse.

[misslinda]

Thank you RowanC. Can I ask how you all handle nettles? I understand they have tiny stinging hairs. :)

[Arky]

As soon as you juice or blend them, the formic acid is neutralised. It is also neutralised by saliva, which is why the druids famously roll them up in such a way that they may be directly eaten - they do this such that by the time the stinging hairs are exposed to the tissues within the mouth, they have already become neutralised - I believe this is done by rolling them up lengthways but I can't recall if this is with the outer layer of the leaf visible, or the other way around :confused:.

I pick my nettles with either a small polythene bag on my hand or a 'Marigold' washing-up glove. Nettles juice brilliantly - the only thing to be mindful of is that they are extremely fibrous so if you use an auger type juicer, the motor may get quite warm from the strain of coping with the tough fibre - my Matstone does, but it handles the job ok, nonetheless.

BTW, David Wolfe is a big fan of nettles.

You would be amazed at how much fatty froth you get on the juice - I believe this may be the acetylcholine content, but I need to check up on this. I stir the froth back into the juice and consume it all - mmmm....BRAIN food! :)


J.

[rawfigure]

It never ceases to amaze ne how we get "advise" on things like this...parsley leaching calcium....get even in larger amounts it does not compare Dairy, Eggs Fish and Chicken. But if we ate loads of that they say Good, protein...ugh ! :rolleyes:

[yoyescu]

Thank you everybody for your detail answers We certainley feel much better knowing this. there is so much to learn.

Arky: you are right about people always asking about daily menus and about where do we get our protein it just gets old and absurd given the history of Sad diets. ;)

[Arky]

...people always asking...about where do we get our protein it just gets old and absurd given the history of Sad diets. ;)

Funny you should mention that!

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=122595#post122595 ;)


J.

[Revvell]

yoyescu,

If you feel the urge, give ~ or at least suggest ~ your client get the book: The China Study. Not basically about raw but about a "whole foods plant-based diet" and how it assists in healing. He doesn't mention greens so much as all the diseases created by an animal based diet.

Revvell

[luvnraw]

interesting information Rowan C


I use parsley as a face pack, it keeps away blemishes and clears discolorations in the skin. it is great, also I like eating it, and it makes your breath smell very fresh.

Victoria Boutenko has a new book out Green for Life, and it talks about how important greens are in our life, you may wish to check it out.

RP ~ do you mean acne type of blemishes or liver/age spots? I would love to get rid of the liver spots I have that started 2 years ago (age 33) when I started having a super hypersensitivity to the sun..... :(

[RowanC]

MissLinda, I actually just handle them with my bare hands if I get them at the farmer's market. If I'm picking them myself, I use a pair of gardening gloves.

If I'm handling them barehanded, I hold them at the stem, not the leaf. I usually get pricked but I don't care because it helps my arthritis and tendonitis. I slap my wrists with them before I eat them! roflol!

Anyway.. I don't put the stems in.. they're stringy and actually make great cordage in the wild. I use scissors to clip off the leaves into the blender. Then I toss the stem.

[Arky]

.. I don't put the stems in.. they're stringy and actually make great cordage in the wild. I use scissors to clip off the leaves into the blender. Then I toss the stem.

I see your point, but you're missing out on all the juice in the stems :(. No good for blending, granted, but great if you're using the juicer (yeah, it's a chore, though, I admit!).


J.

[misslinda]

RowanC and Arky!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for the wealth of info. I'm heading out in search of nettles today!

:)

[misslinda]

btw, I was just reading about female and male nettles. Do you care which one you pick ?

[ChaiLife]

Are you guys talking about stinging nettles? These are good for you?! :eek:
I use to get stung by these all the time as a kid. They grow wild all over the place at my parents' place. They have 10 acres and I always use to sample the wild greens growing in the woods as a kid. It was the only way anything green would enter my mouth. I tried moss and different grasses. My favorite was a weed that tasted just like cucumber. Guess I didn't eat anything too poisonous because I am still here. Oh yeah, I also loved the leaves from wisteria. LOL :rolleyes:

So I guess I should throw some "stinging weed" (as we called it due to ignorance) in my smoothie. Who knew?!

Thanks for the info.
Kelly

[Arky]

Are you guys talking about stinging nettles? These are good for you?! :eek:

Yep!, you'd better believe it! :D

EXTREMELY nutritious. Don't forget the dandelions, too. Nettles and Dandelions are the two most abundant and easy to find wild greens and they are both brimming with minerals and other beneficial elements. I particularly notice the wonderful darkness and opacity of the chlorophyll from the nettles - even darker than that from Kale, in my experience, and the closest thing, visually at least, to the chlorophyll in chlorella.

Please checkout the links (http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5174) in a post of mine from some time ago.


J.

[ChaiLife]

Well,heck. I am going to my mom's house to get some nettles. She is going to think I am nuts! LOL Hope I don't get stung. Guess I will just spit on them before I pick them to neutralize the stingers. :p Just kidding.
Thanks for the tips.

[juliebove]

Parsley is a diuretic. It is possible to eat too much of it. I remember my dad telling me about an accident that my mom had with it. I can't remember what it was she made for dinner, but she was putting dried parsley in it and somehow she put way more than she intended. He said the dish tasted fine, but they were up peeing all night.