Ever come across a green versatile herb at a vegetable stall or a grocery store that you may have mistaken for caraway or parsley due to the similar fragrance it exudes? As aromatic and of equivalent therapeutic value like caraway seeds, chives, or star anise, Chervil also called French Parsley or Garden Chervil (pronounced sher-evil), is a highly aromatic and tender herb with an uncanny resemblance to the flat-leaf parsley and emanating fragrance like the caraway plant. A Russian native, this herbaceous plant belongs to the Apiaceae family and goes by the scientific name Anthriscus Cerefolium. A staple herb in French cuisine, chervil is tagged as one of the finest herbs in the world and as famous as Parsley, Chives, and Oregano. The aromatic notes of the plant may be short-lived, but its healing properties provide amazing wellness incentives to the human body that indeed last long.
Chervil has been used by herbalists for medicinal purposes throughout history and this lovely herb dates to the Greek era when its tiny tender leaves were used in several tonics. Chervil has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and detoxifying properties and is a good source of iron, Vitamin C, calcium, manganese, antioxidants, flavonoids, lutein, and zeaxanthin. To derive culinary benefits from this plant, it can be eaten raw, in dried form and the aromatic chervil herb oil can be blended into recipes. The fragrant leaves can be served as a green garnish in many salads and soups.
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Garden Chervil Health Benefits
In the form of leaves, stems and roots, this herb provides numerous medicinal properties. With diuretic and purgative and anti-inflammatory effects on the body, it is rich in vitamins C, A, B9, and some essential minerals. A poultice made from decoctions of its fragrant flowers can calm rheumatic anomalies. Chervil infusion also helps in digestion, treats urinary issues, soothes gout problems, cures kidney stones, and alleviates chronic bronchitis and pleurisy. It is also known to be a remedial solution for high blood pressure and can reduce inflammation, soothe sinusitis and heal peptic ulcers.
How To Use Garden Chervil?
Just like any other herb, chervil can be used fresh, dried, broken, or grounded in the form of decoctions, infusions, poultices, fresh juice, or used as a raw seasoning in foods. Its stems and sprigs can make a decorative garnish or can be added to soups. Chervil is best eaten raw and should never be boiled to retain its taste and aroma. It can easily be snipped to mixed salads and topped on boiled eggs or fused into herb-based omelets.
A green herb that is high in antioxidants, Vitamin C, and flavonoids is bound to be a sure-shot winner when it comes to safeguarding skin. Want to know how it can help to nourish, soothe and treat skin? Foray into this infographic.
