Parsley has been cultivated for 2,300 years. There are three kinds of parsley, curly, Italian and Hamburg.
Parsley is rich in Vitamins A and C and the minerals, iron and calcium; although it is unlikely that anyone would consume parsley in qualities that would make a significant contribution to their diet.
Parsley is a strong flavored herb that is used in very limited amounts. It is used as a garnish and decoration, in recipes and is seldom eaten straight.
Parsley has folk lore about it. If you cut parsley; you will cut your luck. Food is protected from contamination if a sprig of parsley is placed on the plate.
As a medicinal herb, parsley seeds oil is used as a breath purifier. It is also used to treat digestion problems, kidney problems, arthritis, bladder problems, menstrual disorders, and sciatica.
(R.D.)
Parsley, raw, 1 tbsp.
| Nutrient | Units | 1.00 X 1 tbsp ——- 3.8g |
|---|---|---|
| Proximates | ||
| Water |
g
|
3.33
|
| Energy |
kcal
|
1
|
| Energy |
kj
|
6
|
| Protein |
g
|
0.11
|
| Total lipid (fat) |
g
|
0.03
|
| Ash |
g
|
0.08
|
| Carbohydrate, by difference |
g
|
0.24
|
| Fiber, total dietary |
g
|
0.1
|
| Sugars, total |
g
|
0.03
|
| Minerals | ||
| Calcium, Ca |
mg
|
5
|
| Iron, Fe |
mg
|
0.24
|
| Magnesium, Mg |
mg
|
2
|
| Phosphorus, P |
mg
|
2
|
| Potassium, K |
mg
|
21
|
| Sodium, Na |
mg
|
2
|
| Zinc, Zn |
mg
|
0.04
|
| Copper, Cu |
mg
|
0.006
|
| Manganese, Mn |
mg
|
0.006
|
| Selenium, Se |
mcg
|
0.0
|
| Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid |
mg
|
5.1
|
| Thiamin |
mg
|
0.003
|
| Riboflavin |
mg
|
0.004
|
| Niacin |
mg
|
0.050
|
| Pantothenic acid |
mg
|
0.015
|
| Vitamin B-6 |
mg
|
0.003
|
| Folate, total |
mcg
|
6
|
| Folic acid |
mcg
|
0
|
| Folate, food |
mcg
|
6
|
| Folate, DFE |
mcg_DFE
|
6
|
| Vitamin B-12 |
mcg
|
0.00
|
| Vitamin B-12, added |
mcg
|
0.00
|
| Vitamin A, IU |
IU
|
320
|
| Vitamin A, RAE |
mcg_RAE
|
16
|
| Retinol |
mcg
|
0
|
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) |
mg
|
0.03
|
| Vitamin E, added |
mg
|
0.00
|
| Tocopherol, beta |
mg
|
0.00
|
| Tocopherol, gamma |
mg
|
0.02
|
| Tocopherol, delta |
mg
|
0.00
|
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) |
mcg
|
62.3
|
| Lipids | ||
| Fatty acids, total saturated |
g
|
0.005
|
| 4:0 |
g
|
0.000
|
| 6:0 |
g
|
0.000
|
| 8:0 |
g
|
0.000
|
| 10:0 |
g
|
0.000
|
| 12:0 |
g
|
0.000
|
| 14:0 |
g
|
0.000
|
| 16:0 |
g
|
0.003
|
| 18:0 |
g
|
0.001
|
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated |
g
|
0.011
|
| 16:1 undifferentiated |
g
|
0.000
|
| 18:1 undifferentiated |
g
|
0.011
|
| 20:1 |
g
|
0.000
|
| 22:1 undifferentiated |
g
|
0.000
|
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated |
g
|
0.005
|
| 18:2 undifferentiated |
g
|
0.004
|
| 18:3 undifferentiated |
g
|
0.000
|
| 18:4 |
g
|
0.000
|
| 20:4 undifferentiated |
g
|
0.000
|
| 20:5 n-3 |
g
|
0.000
|
| 22:5 n-3 |
g
|
0.000
|
| 22:6 n-3 |
g
|
0.000
|
| Cholesterol |
mg
|
0
|
| Phytosterols |
mg
|
0
|
| Amino acids | ||
| Tryptophan |
g
|
0.002
|
| Threonine |
g
|
0.005
|
| Isoleucine |
g
|
0.004
|
| Leucine |
g
|
0.008
|
| Lysine |
g
|
0.007
|
| Methionine |
g
|
0.002
|
| Cystine |
g
|
0.001
|
| Phenylalanine |
g
|
0.006
|
| Tyrosine |
g
|
0.003
|
| Valine |
g
|
0.007
|
| Arginine |
g
|
0.005
|
| Histidine |
g
|
0.002
|
| Alanine |
g
|
0.007
|
| Aspartic acid |
g
|
0.011
|
| Glutamic acid |
g
|
0.009
|
| Glycine |
g
|
0.006
|
| Proline |
g
|
0.008
|
| Serine |
g
|
0.005
|
| Other | ||
| Alcohol, ethyl |
g
|
0.0
|
| Caffeine |
mg
|
0
|
| Theobromine |
mg
|
0
|
| Carotene, beta |
mcg
|
192
|
| Carotene, alpha |
mcg
|
0
|
| Cryptoxanthin, beta |
mcg
|
0
|
| Lycopene |
mcg
|
0
|
| Lutein + zeaxanthin |
mcg
|
211
|
USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 18 (2005)
