Parsley in folklore

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) has been a favorite culinary herb for centuries. It is rich in vitamins and minerals and is a natural breath freshener. Among the ancient Greeks, parsley was considered unlucky, because it was used to bedeck tombs.

In English folklore, there are various sayings about sowing parsley, which is notoriously slow to germinate. It must be sown on Good Friday before noon; its roots go seven times down to Hell and back before any shoots appear; it will only grow where the wife is boss of the household.

Transplanting it is thought to bring death or disaster, and some also say it should never be given away. English peasants refuse to give parsley away, lest evil should befall them.

A tea made of fresh parsley is supposed to be beneficial in epilepsy and some yarb doctors prescribe it for hysteria and other nervous disease. It is often said that parsley will stop an epileptic fit, but only in the light of the noon.
Parsley in folklore