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Parsley is generally safe for most people, but high amounts during pregnancy may be unsafe due to oils that can affect the uterus and potentially trigger premature labor. The safe limit is unknown, but normal food levels appear safe. Parsley oil extracts can also cause kidney damage or seizures. Pregnant women should consult a doctor before consuming parsley or any other food or herb.
Parsley is a common herbal addition to food, and it generally seems safe for most people. However, scientists question the safety of very high amounts of parsley in pregnancy, as the herb contains oils known to have effects on the uterus. As of 2011, it is unknown what the safe limit of parsley is for pregnant women, although levels normally found in foods appear to be safe.
Less than 1% of the parsley leaf is the oil component, and it is the oil that contains the potentially dangerous substances for the pregnant woman. These substances, myristicin and apiol, are known to have biological effects; in large amounts, they can trigger uterine muscle contractions, which theoretically can lead to premature labor and present a hazard to both mother and child. Historically, the herb has been used to promote the onset of menstruation, which also involves uterine contractions.
Myristicin can also affect the baby by traveling through the placenta and into the baby’s body. Once the chemical enters the baby’s body, the substance can increase the rate at which the baby’s heart beats. Parsley is available in several extract forms, such as oil, seed, and juice, and these substances may be more risky than the natural leaf form.
Parsley in pregnancy can cause allergic reactions on rare occasions, especially if the woman is already sensitive to plants such as carrots and fennel. In addition to possible effects on the uterus, parsley oil extracts can also cause problems such as kidney damage or seizures as side effects. Herbal teas containing parsley may also give a woman too high a dose of apiol and myristicin for her safety. Another possible effect of parsley in pregnancy is that the woman may experience diuretic effects, which can cause more water to be lost during urination than normal.
Pregnant women should know that food avoidance recommendations are continually updated as more scientific research is published and more is known about specific foods. Therefore, a woman should always consult a doctor about taking parsley during pregnancy, or any other food or herb, in case the recommendations have changed. Foods such as tabbouleh, which can often contain very high levels of parsley, may not be suitable to eat during pregnancy, so a doctor’s advice should be sought for these particular foods.
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