general characteristics
Celery is a member of the Apiaceae family (along with carrot, parsnip and similar) and needs little description as it is so well known. Whilst the fleshy stems and root and leaves are also edible and medicinal, we are talking mainly here about the medicinal properties and uses of the seeds.
Wild celery (the distant relative of modern celery) hails from the Mediterranean region but is bitter and acrid to taste. The celery we eat today has been cultivated specifically for a gentler flavour. It is biennial (completes it life cycle over 2 years), flowering June to September in its second year and prefers to grow in damper ground. Modern celery will happily grow in rich garden soil.
Celery seed dried herb and tincture are available to buy in our herbal shop.
therapeutic actions and uses
The whole celery plant is rich in antioxidants, however the seeds are richest in essential oils, anti-inflammatory, blood pressure lowering and blood thinning agents as well as antioxidants and omega oils. In older days they where a prime remedt for diseases of the liver and
spleen.
Celery seed is used as a warming, slightly bitter and aromatic plant remedy, soothing the nerves, cleansing the joints and kidneys and moving the blood somewhat, thereby improving circulation. They are thought to make the blood more alkaline.
Lowers blood pressure. Celery seed has been used by herbalists and healers for high blood pressure and heart and circulatory health for centuries. Celery and the seeds both contain substances which even mainstream medical professionals admit are showing great promise in the treatment of
high blood pressure as described in
this article. Substances within the seed
relax and dilate the blood vessels, allowing greater blood flow and reducing the pressure throughout the circulatory system. Celery seed would seem to be an all round helper for high blood pressure .... reducing pressure directly, eliminating excess water (no need for an additional diuretic), lowering cholesterol and even play an important role in
congestive heart failure.
They also help to significantly
lower high cholesterol and have been used in formulas to cleanse the blood of impurities
.
Celery seeds act as a carminative to the digestive system, soothing
griping pains, indigestion and
flatulence and also acting to increase the
appetite and generally
improve digestion. Celery seeds have also been shown to
induce the death of stomach cancer cells. It can also help ease
mouth ulcers. Chewing the seeds can
sweeten bad breath.
Anti-fungal and
antibacterial against some Staphylococcus and Streptococcus strains and against H. pylori, an over-proliferation of which are said to be associated with
stomach ulcers. Celery and its seeds do have value to prevent and help resolve stomach ulcers.
Celery seeds are excellent for
rheumatism and all its accompanying problems,
arthritis and
osteoarthritis and other joint conditions involving pain and inflammation such as
ankylosing spondylitis.Fibromyalgia, frozen shoulder and other joint pains/problems,
nerve pain (neuralgia),
joint stiffness,
sciatica, lumbago, general
backache, bursitis and even painful
corns can all benefit from celery seed.
Anti-inflammatory and cleansing.
Celery seed has been used traditionally as a most effective and important remedy for
gout as it decreases uric acid levels and cleans the joints but is also cleansing and antiseptic to the kidneys, bladder and urinary tract. Can also be useful for
kidney stones, cystitis, water retention (oedema) and other
urinary tract conditions. They are particularly effective in
eliminating waste acids via the kidneys.
Celery and its seeds are also commonly eaten to encourage
weight loss.Coughs and
bronchitis and even
asthma may be improved with celery seeds alongside other appropriate herbs. It has been used for centuries to
clear mucous and phlegm from the head and lungs.
All parts of the celery plant seem to exert a
hypoglcaemic (lowers high blood sugar) action and can be taken in diabetes as noted in this abstract on the
hypoglycaemic and pancreatic regeneration actions of celery. It has also beneficial to the
pancreas.Celery seed is used in India to protect the liver from toxicity and poisons.
Headaches may be eased with celery seeds.
Celery seeds are rich in phyto-oestrogens and can be used with other herbs (fenugreek, holy thistle etc) to
increase the flow of breast milk. They can also help to
bring on delayed menstruation (they also stimulate uterine contractions) and help eliminate excess water during
premenstrual times. In Iran, celery seeds have a long history as an
aphrodisiac for women and to improve sexual dysfunction.
It also has a traditional use in Russia and Iran for regaining and maintaining
sexual potency and as an
aphrodisiac. Celery seeds can also be used to increase the health of the
testicles (such as in
orchitis) and the
prostate gland.
dosage and cautions
* Avoid using celery seeds during pregnancy due to their stimulating action on the uterus.
* Avoid celery seed if you have chronic kidney disease or kidney inflammation as the oils can irritate kidney tissue.
* Use caution if taking prescribed medications, especially blood pressure or blood thinning or clotting medications.
* Celery can produce an allergic reaction in those sensitive to the carrot family or birch tree or mugwort pollens.
* Celery seeds can very occasionally produce photo-sensitivity in some people. Stay out of the sun or cover up when using celery seed if the skin over-reacts to sunlight.
*Celery seeds work particularly well (especially for cleansing and as a diuretic) when combined with dandelion root or leaves.
Adult
Tincture: 2.5 ml up to 5 ml, 3 times daily.
Dried seed in tea form: 1/2 -1 teaspoon of crushed seeds per cup, up to 3 cups daily. Simmer gently to extract the most from the seed, cover to preserve the volatile oils and drink immediately. You can also just crush a teaspoon of the seeds and add boiling water and allow to infuse for 10 minutes before drinking.
Eat several sticks of celery daily to gain from its medicinal actions, at least 4 sticks a day seems to be effective for lowering blood pressure. The leaves and grated roots can also be eaten and are delicious. You can also add a stick of celery to your daily juice to gain its medicinal benefits.
Grind the seeds and add them to sea salt for a tasty and medicinal condiment, especially useful for those restricting their salt intake due to high blood pressure issues.
Children
Add 12 to the child’s age. Divide the child’s age by the total.
E.g. dosage for a 4 year old...... 4 {age} divided by 16 {age + 12} = . 25 or 1/4 of the adult dosage.
* Caution is advised in children under 14 years or so in medicinal quantities. Avoid in those under 2 years old.
Celery seed
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