The Garden Parsley is not indigenous to Britain: Linnaeus said that its wild habitat was Sardinia, whence it was brought to England and apparently first cultivated here in 1548. Bentham considered it a native of the Eastern Mediterranean regions; De Candolle of Turkey, Algeria and the Lebanon. Since its introduction into these islands in the sixteenth century it has been completely naturalized in various parts of England and Scotland, on old walls and rocks.

Like most biennials Parsley develops only a rosette of leaves during the first year. During the second season the flower stems are thrown up. During the second season if flowers are removed, some further leaves can be grown for a while. Plant is three tranches for best use throughout the year. The beds need renewing every two years.

Parsley has carminative, tonic and aperient action, but is chiefly used for its diuretic properties, a strong decoction of the root being of great service in gravel, stone, congestion of the kidneys, dropsy and jaundice. The dried leaves are also used for the same purpose. A fluid extract is prepared from both root and seeds. The extract made from the root acts more readily on the kidneys than that from other parts of the herb.