Expert: Terry Knorr - 11/16/2005

Question
Hi Terry,
we are planning to make "parsley soap" for an investigatory project..i was just wondering..parsley can cure rheuma..if i put fresh parsley in the soap mixture can the soap still cure rheuma? or will the effect of the fresh parsley disappear?
thanks Ü

Answer
Hi Mikaela!

The parsley will be degraded to some extent by the soap ingredients and process.  Generally speaking, if I want to add some medicinal quality to my soap, I use essential oils.  The oils' properties seem to spread more throughout the soap and seems to degrade less.

I'm not familiar with the use of parsley for rheumatism.  If it is used internally, then the soap will not help.  If it is to be used topically, then there might be some useful effect of the soap containing parsley.

I hope this helps.  Good luck!

Terry