Parsley has been around for over 2,000 years and was considered a medicinal plant up until the Middle Ages. Today, it is a very popular aromatic plant whose chopped leaves are used as a condiment to enhance the taste of crudités, salads, soups, sauces, as well as vegetable and meat dishes. It is also used as a garnish. There are many varieties of parsley, the most common being curled or leafy parsley, flat leaf parsley and Italian parsley. Its leaves are rich in vitamins A and C. Parsley is also rich in essential oil, which is obtained by stream distilling its seeds.
 
Parsley essential oil is used in aromatherapy to help relieve joint and muscle pain associated with sprains, strains and rheumatoid arthritis and as calming.