Celery Herb

Other Names: March parsley, celery seed, smallage, wild celery, apium and celery seed oil

Useful Parts of the Plant: Stems and the seeds

Celery is widely grown in North America. The herb is known to be of two types mainly white and red. The white variety happens to be crisp, tender and also of better flavor and is therefore much sought after than the red variety. The stalks of this herb is known to grow in bunches and are sold in pretty much the same way. In ancient times the herb was mainly known as the herb of the winter, since it was grown in that time of the year and continued till early spring. In modern day however it is grown right from September to the beginning of summer.

Nutritional Information and Properties of Celery Herb

With regards to the nutritional value of the celery herb, it is known to be a very good source of vitamins A , B6, B2, B1, E, C, K as well as minerals such as calcium , zinc, magnesium , iron and phosphorus. The vitamin C that is present in celery is known to strengthen the immune system of the body.

Heath Benefits and Therapeutic Uses of Celery Herb

Celery and good health are known to go hand in hand on account of the various health benefits that this herb offers. One of the health benefits of celery herb is that because of the high levels of sodium in this plant, it is used in the natural treatment of arthritis. The sodium in celery helps in preventing as well as providing relief to the arthritic joint by ensuring that the magnesia and lime remain in the form of a solution. For best results against arthritis, the juice of the leaves as well as the stem of the celery plant should be freshly extracted and consumed.
Another one of the medicinal uses of celery is that it is very effective against gout and rheumatism. For treatment of this it is better to consume the fluid extract of the celery seeds rather than the raw vegetable itself. There is a high concentration of alkaline elements in the celery plant which are effective against toxaemia and acidity.
The consumption of celery juice when mixed with some orange juice is also known to be very beneficial in home treatment of nervous afflictions. These tend to mostly occur on account of the degeneration of the protective cover of the nerves.
Health benefits of celery also include it being beneficial in the treatment of blood related disorders such as hemophilia, leukemia, purpura and so on. Celery is known to be an excellent source of iron and magnesium which is a vital food for the blood cells.
The antispasmodic properties of celery seeds also make it extremely effective in the treatment of respiratory issues such as bronchitis, tuberculosis, asthma and pleurisy.
Another one of the medicinal uses of celery seeds is that they are effective in the treatment of indigestion. In this home remedy the seeds of the celery plant should be soaked and then ground in buttermilk and then consumed to gain immediate relief from indigestion.
Health benefits and therapeutic uses of celery also result in it being used to prevent the formation of stones in the kidney as well as the gall bladder.
Celery is also known to be good for the heart and blood pressure on account of the presence of compounds known as phthalides in this vegetable. These compounds are known to promote dilation of the artery muscles by encouraging them to relax thereby promoting good blood pressure.
Celery is also beneficial for those who suffer from hypertension and high levels of stress as it helps in minimizing the release of the stress hormone which would otherwise tighten the blood vessels.
Celery and weight loss are also known to go hand in hand as it tends to suppress ones appetite and hence should be consumed just before a meal. Additionally the calorie count in celery is almost zero.

Precautions/ Side Effects/ Warnings

Some of the side effects of the consumption of celery are that it may result in skin rash and sensitivity to light and if consumed in large doses may also cause fatigue, depression or hives. It is recommended that you inform your doctor if you are using the herb for any medical purpose.