Is it a vegetable? Is it an herb? Is it medicine? Yes, yes, and YES. Celery has a solid reputation as a stalky vegetable perfect for cooking countless dishes. But more than that, Celery is a diverse plant that nourishes and heals. On one hand, we have the tried and true celery: ants on a log, salads, and our favorite garnish for a Bloody Mary. On the other hand, we have celery in its less common form: as a medicine. Celery as medicine can have multiple benefits, some of which include: treatment of urinary, rheumatic, and arthritic problems, uses as a carminative or diuretic, lower blood pressure, anti-inflammatory, kidney and liver health, and lower blood fat levels. Whichever hand you choose, Celery won't let you down.
History & Folklore
Between snacks of ants on a log at school or celery juice endorsements plastered on social media, there aren’t many places to hide from celery. If you haven’t encountered celery in your lifetime, where have you been for the last 3000 years? Celery cultivated in pharaonic Egypt and 5th century China. Over those 3000 years, celery has been used as a food and as medicine.
Habitat & Cultivation
Celery grows wild in Britain and Europe it is there--along the English and Welsh coasts and marshlands--where you can discover celery growing wild. Not only is garden-grown celery better-tasting than store-bought types, but also it’s less chemically-laden. Celery prefers to grow in colder seasons. If you are looking to grow your own celery, plant your seed during mid- to late- summer to harvest in late autumn or early winter.
Uses
Ancient Herb over the last 3000 years celery has been used as food and as medicine.
Cleansing Properties the seeds of celery can be used to cleanse and detoxify the body--especially the digestive tract and kidneys. This can be used to treat gout, arthritis, and rheumatic conditions, dispose of urates and other waste products, and improve the circulation of blood to the muscles and joints.
Diuretic The seeds of celery have a mildly diuretic and antiseptic property; helping to disinfect the bladder and urinary tract, celery seeds are an effective treatment for cystitis.
Nutritious Drink Celery juice is a nutritious cleansing drink that is helpful to many chronic illnesses. One serving of celery juice alone has 99% of your daily recommended amount of vitamin K in addition to vitamin A, potassium, folate, and fiber.
Parts used
Stems eaten as is or pulverized then guzzled as a juice, the stems provide substantial nutritional value.
Seeds contain volatile oil and provide the majority of the medicinal properties of celery compared to the stems.
Key Actions
Antirheumatic
Carminative
Antispasmodic
Diuretic
Lowers Blood Pressure
Urinary antiseptic
Anti-inflammatory
Constituents
Volatile oil (1.5-3%) containing limonene (60-70%), phthalides, and beta-selinene
Coumarins
Furanocoumarins (bergapten)
Flavanoids (apiin)
References
- Chevallier, Andrew, FNIMH; Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine - 550 Herbs and Remedies for Common Ailments; 3. Edition 2016; ISBN: 978-0-2412-2944-6; Page 64.
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