History of Parsley: Parsley in Greek History

p>Native to Mediterranean, parsley has been cultivatedGames pine leaves, at the Nemean Games parsley,
and used in culinary and medicine for thousands ofas we know from the cases of Palaemon and
years. In times of Hippocrates (he was born aroundArchemorus. But most games have a crown of palm
the year 460 BC on the Greek island of Kos) parsleyas the prize, and everywhere the palm is put into the
has been used in cure-all remedies, as antidote toright hand of the victor." (Pausanias: Description of
poisons, to cure rheumatism, for relieving kidney andGreece, c. 175 CE)
bladder stones and more.Traditional Greek recipes (just as abundant with history
In Homer's Odyssey (written sometime between 800as Greek's mythology) use flat leaf parsley, a lot of it,
and 600 BC) there's a description of parsley, growingmany times even as a vegetable, in huge amounts,
on an island, named Ogygia. About a century later, theabove all in stews.
winners of Nemean and Isthmus sporting events wereToday, with many of the ancient claims scientifically
crowned with the wreaths made of parsley.confirmed, we know that parsley is rich in vitamins
It is interesting that ancient Greeks used parsley for(especially A and C) and minerals. It is also said to help
everything but cooking and eating. The legend sayseliminate the toxins out of one's body, remove or
that parsley has first sprouted from the blood ofinactivate free radicals, help with rheumatoid arthritis
Archemorus (hero in Greek mythology: the Forerunnerand lessen inflammations. With high chlorophyll content
of death) and was therefore sacred to the dead.parsley is also a great natural breath freshener.
The tombs of deceased were decorated with parsley."Just like parsley" is a saying, still used in Greece for
"A crown of wild olive was given to the victor atthe person, who appears to be everywhere, without
Olympia, and laurel at Delphi. And at the Isthmianany significant role.