| |
Celery seed |
|
| Celery seed is the dried fruit of Apium graviolens, a biennial in the parsley family. Celery is a member of the Umbelliferae (carrot family) Apium graveolens and is an erect strong smelling biennial (botanically) 30 to 60 cm tall. Celery belongs to the same family of plants as the carrot, parsley, fennel, caraway and anise. Celery consists of long, slender green stalks that surround a pale green central heart, all joined at the bulbous base. The plant prefers wet, salty soils and bears small, white flowers during June and July, which later yield the smooth, grey-coloured fruits of the celery seeds. Celery seeds are very small, tan to dark brown, and have a strong, pleasant smell. Mainly known as a vegetable, celery also has long been used for its medicinal qualities. |
| |
Medicinal uses and health benefits of celery |
|
| Celery is rich in fiber and in chemical compounds. It is about 94% water, contains protein, calcium, vitamin C, carbohydrate,
sodium, and a trace of fat. Celery is also valuable for adding fiber to the diet. Celery seeds contain several substances including volatile oils, flavonoids, coumarins, and linoleic acid. The essential oil of celery seed includes d-limonene, selinene, sesquiterpene alcohols, sedanolide, and sedanonic anhydride. As a medicinal plant, celery has been used as an aphrodisiac, anthelmintic, antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, laxative, sedative, stimulant, and tonic.
Celery seeds are mainly used as a diuretic, these help clear toxins from the system, so are especially good for gout, where uric acid crystals collect in the joints, and arthritis. Infusions from the seeds are used for rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Diluting the essential oil is also effective for these conditions. The essential oil and oleoresin of celery seed are used as a flavoring or fragrance in liqueurs, perfumes, and cosmetics, such as soaps, creams, and lotions. Large amounts of the volatile oil can produce sedation and irritation that may be responsible for attributed antispasmodic properties. Celery juice from the whole, fresh plant is taken for joint and urinary tract inflammations, as well as for rheumatoid arthritis, cystitis, or urethritis, weak conditions, and nervous exhaustion. Root also acts as a bitter digestive remedy and liver stimulant. Root tinctures have been used as a diuretic in hypertension and urinary disorders, are a component in arthritic remedies or used as a kidney stimulant and cleanser.
|
| |
Side effects, precautions, interactions |
|
| Pregnant women should not use celery seed because it may uterine bleeding and cause muscle contractions in the uterus. People with active kidney inflammation should also avoid this herb. Active compounds in celery stems and seeds can cause the skin to become highly sensitive to UV rays. Do not apply the essential oil externally in bright sunshine, because bergapten in the seeds could increase photosensitivity. The volatile oil in quantity is toxic to the kidneys and so should not be used in kidney disorders. Allergic reactions are rare. |
|
|
|
|
