| Botanical Name: Apium graveolens
Plant Family: Umbelliferae
Common name: Garden Celery, Sellerie, Smallage, Wild Celery
Origin: Southern Europe, North and South America, Africa
History: It was known and used by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Celery seed was used as a medicine by Hippocrates and in ancient China and Japan.
During ancient times, Ayurvedic physicians (Vaidyas) used Celery Seed to treat:
- certain ailments of the liver and spleen
- colds
- diseases of the liver and spleen
- indigestion
- influenza
- poor digestion
- various types of arthritis
- water retention
Tradition: Used as an aphrodisiac in olden times
Medicinal Parts Used: Ripe seeds, herb and root (never use Celery seeds from a garden packet as seeds sold for gardening have usually been treated with chemicals and should not be taken internally)
Plant Constituents
Contains:
- alpha-linolenic-acid
- beta-eudesmol
- boron
- calcium
- chlorophyll
- coumarins
- flavonoids
- iron
- isoimperatorin
- isoquercitrin
- limonene
- linoleic acid
- magnesium
- p-cymene
- phosphorus
- potash
- potassium
- guaiacol
- silicon
- sodium
- sulphur
- terpinene-4-ol
- 3-N-butyl-phthalide
- umbelliferone
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B
- volatile oils, including apiol
- zinc
Dosage: (Always take with plenty of juice or with water at mealtime, unless instructed otherwise)
- Celery seed oil capsules or tablets: 1-2 capsules or tablets 3/day
- Celery seed extract: 1-3mL 3/day
- Whole celery seeds: 1-3g freshly crushed seeds Prepare a tea by pouring boiling water over 1 teaspoon (tsp) and steep for 10-20 minutes before drinking, drink 3/day.
Usage
Celery Seed is used for:
Brain and Nervous System Conditions
- mild tranquilizer
- antidote to alcoholism
- anxiety
- calms tense nerves
- hysteria
- mental depression
- nervous cases with lack of tone, combined with Skullcap
- nervousness
- neuralgia
- promotes restfulness and sleep
Cardiovascular Conditions
- chronic pulmonary catarrh
- lowers blood pressure in cases of high blood pressure
Female Conditions
- increases menstrual flow
- promotes the onset of menstruation
Gastrointestinal Conditions
- flatulence (gas/wind)
- indigestion
- lack of appetite
Genitourinary Conditions
- acid-forming deposits
- cystitis
- gout
- inflammation and/or infections of the urinary tract (Celery Seed's diuretic action combined with its anti-bacterial compounds make it a useful herb for treating urinary tract infections)
- kidney infections
- lowers the levels of uric acid in the body
- promotes the excretion of urine
- removes water from the body in the form of urine, which helps wash away bacteria and the minerals that cause kidney and bladder stones
- stimulates the kidneys inducing increased urine flow
- stimulates the removal of waste products from the body via the kidneys
- strengthens the muscles in the uterus
- urinary antiseptic
Inflammatory Conditions
Reduces inflammation in the following conditions:
- arthritis
- gout
- rheumatism
- rheumatoid arthritis
Liver Conditions
- liver problems
- liver tonic
- prevents liver damage caused by toxic chemicals
Metabolic Conditions
- corrects imbalances found in acid-based metabolisms
Muscular Conditions
- helps reduce muscle spasms
- lumbago
- promotes healthy muscular conditions
Reproductive Conditions
- aphrodisiac, with Damiana and Kola Nut
- restores sexual potency impaired by illness
Respiratory Tract Conditions
- bronchitis
- colds
- influenza
Other Conditions
- clears up skin problems
- deficiency diseases
- prevention of cancer
- prevents tumors
- spleen disorders
- swellings in body cavities
- tendency towards overweight
Other Uses:
Action:
- alkaline
- anti-bacterial [an agent that destroys bacteria; bactericide]
- anti-rheumatic [eases symptoms of rheumatism]
- antiseptic [an agent for inhibiting the growth of microorganism on living tissue or destroying pathogenic or putrefactive bacteria]
- aphrodisiac [an agent for arousing or increasing sexual desire or potency]
- appetizer [an agent that excites the appetite]
- calminative [an agent that has a mild sedative or tranquilizing effect]
- carminative [an agent for easing griping pains, colic and expelling gas from the intestines]
- diuretic [an agent that increases the volume and flow of urine which cleanses the urinary system]
- emmenagogue [an agent that promotes menstrual flow]
- hypotensive [lowers blood pressure]
- nervine [an agent that has a calming or soothing effect on the nerves, any agent that acts on the nervous system to restore the nerves to their natural state]
- sedative [a soothing agent that reduces nervousness, distress or irritation]
- stimulant [an agent that excites or quickens the functional activity of the tissues giving more energy]
- tonic [an agent that tones, strengthens and invigorates organs or the entire organism giving a feeling of well-being]
Precautions
Caution:
Celery seed should not be used by:
- Pregnant women as it may cause muscle contractions in the uterus and uterine bleeding
- People with an active acute kidney inflammation or problems, but may be taken in modest amounts for chronic kidney problems
Although rare allergic reactions may develop in people who handle or ingest celery including:
- anaphylaxis
- the skin may become highly sensitive to UV rays (photodermatitis) due to active compounds in Celery stems and seeds so if taking Celery seed sunscreen or sunblock lotions should be used to protect skin from the sun
People who are allergic to Birch pollen may also be allergic to Celery seed
Drug Interactions
Do not use Celery without first talking to your practitioner or healthcare provider if you taking any of the following medications:
Celery contains properties that may thin the blood so should not be used if taking:
Celery seed has diuretic effects and diuretics can deplete your body of potassium so should not be used if taking:
Prescription diuretics such as:
- Furosemide
- Hydrochlorothiazide
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