Parsley. Diuretic, relieving urinary irritation. Very useful in dropsy, especially that following scarlatina, and other exanthematous diseases. Also used in retention of urine, strangury, and gonorrhœa. Parsley seeds have a powerful odor, somewhat like that of turpentine, and a spicy, pungent taste, and have been used as a carminative, and for the same purpose as the root—they are said to be very poisonous to the parrot. The seeds as well as the leaves, sprinkled on the hair, in powder, or in the form of an ointment, will effectually destroy vermin; the leaves, applied as a fomentation, will, it is asserted, cure the bites or stings of insects. The leaves, bruised, are a good application to contusions, swelled breasts, and enlarged glands—reputed to "dry up the milk" of wet-nurses. The oil is efficient as a diuretic, in doses of 3 or 4 drops a day; dose of the infusion, 2 to 4 fluid ounces, 3 or 4 times a day.
Apiol.—In doses of from 7 to 15 grains apiol occasions a cerebral excitement similar to that caused by coffee, a sensation of vigor and composure, and warmth about the stomach; in doses of from 30 to 60 grains it causes intoxication, giddiness, flashes of light, vertigo and ringing in the ears, etc. It is highly recommended as a substitute for quinine in intermittent fevers, and has proved very efficient. It has likewise been found valuable in menstrual derangements; as fetid menstruation, neuralgic dysmenorrhœa, neuralgic uterine colic, amenorrhœa, etc.; also in the night-sweats of consumption. The dose is 3 to 6 grains, several times a day, beginning a couple of days prior to menstruation, given in gelatin capsules, or formed into pills with medicinal amygdalin soap, and magnesia, gum, or yellow of egg.