Celery

What Is It?

When everyone leaves the party, the celery is always there. Celery is not typically known for its great taste, but it is a great ingredient in soups and stews, and when filled with some peanut butter, cream cheese, or when dipped in hummus or a cheese dip, it can really be quite tasty.

OTHER NAMES: Apium graveolens

HISTORY: Celery has been grown for its medicinal properties dating back to 850 BC. It has been used as a vegetable, for its seeds, and for oils, and has played a big role in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. It was ranked as a "Holy Plant" in ancient Greece for a reason. Let's look at its medicinal properties:

PROPERTIES: Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial

CONSIDERED USES

Respiratory: Colds, flu

Throat: Sore throat

Cardiovascular: High blood pressure, cerebral ischemia

Gastrointestinal: Digestive problems, liver and spleen problems, IBS, ulcers, possibly reflux

Genitourinary: Kidney infections, UTI's

Musculoskeletal: Arthritis/joint pain, gout

Neurologic: Learning, thinking, memory

Skin: May help eczema, vitiligo, psoriasis

Glucose: May help decrease glucose absorption in the stomach; may help lower circulatory glucose levels

Cholesterol: May help lower

Immunity: Boosts immunity

Cancer: Possibly helpful in cancer prevention

Other: Diuretic properties, vitamins, folate, vitamin B6, Vitamin K, and vitamin C, as well as potassium, iron, magnesium

Side Effects: Possible allergic reaction, sun and light sensitivity may lower blood pressure if blood pressure is already low, bloating, gas, dehydration

Cautions/Contraindications: It may cause minor allergies or more severe allergies/anaphylaxis. Avoid if you have kidney problems. Do not take it if you are taking other medications that cause sensitivity to light. Caution if taking sedatives, lithium, and levothyroxine. Caution for those who have low sodium.

FORMS: Seed, powder, raw plant, capsules, freeze-dried, tea

RECOMMENDED BRANDS:

No recommendations currently available

DOSAGES: As directed

The following are reported doses and may NOT be supported by evidence (reported by various sources, i.e., WebMD, RxList, Epocrates, ConsumerLabs, German Commission E, NIH publications, and others). Read dosages and instructions carefully when available on the label.

• 1000-1500 mg by mouth daily

• 1 cup chopped celery daily

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Disclaimer: The material above is for informational purposes only. This information is not intended to diagnose or treat a condition. The uses listed above are tentative; some have or are undergoing research trials, but many are not FDA-approved. It is essential that you investigate these supplements further before deciding to use them. Check interactions and contraindications on sites like Drugs.com or WebMD. Do not attempt to treat a serious condition like liver, kidney problems, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or thyroid issues without discussing it with a healthcare provider first. If you are pregnant, do not use supplements without discussing it with your healthcare provider.