Celery has various medicinal uses and health benefits. It can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure as it contains compounds that relax arteries and reduce stress hormones. Celery also supports the immune system, helps reduce inflammation, and may decrease cancer risks due to compounds that inhibit tumor growth and enhance immune cell activity. However, celery can cause allergic reactions in some individuals and pregnant women should avoid it.

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Alternative medicine: Celery
Sun, 18 Nov 2007 22:10:40
By Patricia Khashayar, MD., Press TV, Tehran
Different parts of celery are effective in promoting cardiovascular health by lowering
cholesterol levels as well as blood pressure.
Botanical: Apium graveolens (LINN.)
Family: N.O. Umbelliferae
Synonym: Smallage. Wild Celery
Habitat:
Celery was cultivated in the Mediterranean region and Southern Europe, before spreading to
Central and Northern Europe.
Description:
Celery is a biennial vegetable which grows to a height of 30 to 40 cm and is composed of
leaf-topped stalks arranged in a conical shape and joined at a common base.
Part Used Medicinally:
Ripe seeds, leaves and roots and stalks.
Constituents:
Celery is an excellent source of vitamin C, dietary fiber, potassium, folate, molybdenum,
manganese, vitamin B6, calcium, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, magnesium, vitamin A,
phosphorous and iron.
Because it contains approximately 35 milligrams of sodium per stalk, salt-sensitive individuals
can enjoy celery.
Celery oil is dominated by terpenes, mostly limonene (70 to 80%) and the sesquiterpenes
beta-selinene (10%) and humulene; but its fragrance is caused by phthalides (3-butylphthalid
and its 5,6-dihydro derivate sedanenolid).
Medicinal Uses:
Celery supports the immune system; it helps reduce cold symptoms or their severity and is
good for treating bronchitis and asthma.
The infusion of celery seeds prevents free radical damage and therefore reduces the severity
of inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, low back pain and
liver diseases.
As free radicals can oxidize cholesterol and lead to plaques causing heart attacks or stroke, it
promotes cardiovascular health.
Celery contains active compounds called pthalides, which can help relax the muscles around
arteries and reduce blood pressure. Pthalides also reduces stress hormones.
Aqueous solutions of celery (like celery juice) can help lower total cholesterol by increasing
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bile acid secretion. Celery juice (40 mg) mixed with honey is effective in reducing high blood
pressure.
Celery juice is also a good treatment for joint and urinary tract inflammations, such as cystitis
or urethritis.
Celery contains compounds called coumarins that decrease the risk of cells becoming
cancerous. Coumarins also enhance the activity of immune defenders which target and
eliminate cancerous cells.
In addition, the acetylenics compounds in celery stop the growth of tumor cells. Celery leaves
consumed or topically applied help treat solid breast tumors and cancer ulcers.
Celery minerals help rid the body of excess fluids by regulating fluid balance and stimulating
urine production. It is also an effective nervine for weak conditions and nervous exhaustion.
Celery seed in pill form is an effective painkiller and used in hysteria, promoting sleep, and
diffusing a mild sustaining influence through the system.
The low caloric content of celery makes it a popular choice for dieters.
Caution:
Celery is one of the most common causes of oral allergy syndrome in adults in Switzerland,
France and Germany.
Allergy to celeriac (the celery root) is more common than to celery (the stalks of the plant),
but both can sometimes cause severe reactions. Symptoms vary from mild ones, such as oral
allergy syndrome, to anaphylactic shock.
Pregnant women should avoid eating celery as it may lead to abortion or the birth of an infant
suffering from seizure.
PKH/HGH
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