Celery is an important salad plant, consisting of the bulbous roots, green leaves and the stem. The leaves sprout directly from the fleshy roots. They are compound with long stalk; which are big and succulent. The fruits are small in size, dark brown in colour and have a peculiar flavor when cut open. The seeds are brown in colour. In India, the leaves are not so popular, but, the root and the seeds are commonly used in Unani and ayurvedic medicine. Celery has been in cultivation for more than 2,000 years. It was known to the Chinese from the fifth century B.C. In England, where it grew wild, it was known as smallage and used in medicines. In the 16th and 17th centuries, it was brought into gardens and grown first as a medicinal plant and later as a flavorings for soups and stews. Celery is a native of Europe and Asia . It is now grown widely in temperate regions and in tropical mountains. In India, large areas in the Punjab and Uttar Pradesh are given to the cultivation of celery for the production of the seed. It grows best with relatively cool weather and moderate rainfall during the crop season, at over 9,000 metres. As a salad crop, it is also grown in kitchen or home gardens. Celery is an excellent basic food. It is one of the best sources of minerals salts and vitamins. An analysis of celery leaves shows them to consist of moisture 88.0 per cent, protein 6.3 per cent, fat 0.6 per cent , minerals 2.1 per cent , fibre 1.4 per cent and carbohydrates 1.6 per cent per 100 grams. Its minerals and vitamin contents are calcium, phosphorus, potassium, folic acid, iron, carotene, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin A, B1, B2,B6, C. Its calorific value is 37.
The fruits yield a volatile oil, pale yellow in color. It consist of limonene d-selinene sedanonic acid, anhydride and sedanolide.
Healing Power and Curative Properties
The word celery is derived from Latin, celery which means quick acting, and presumably refers its therapeutic properties. The green leaves and stems of the bulbous root are all extremely rich in active ingredients that make celery an important medicinal plant. It has a well balanced content of the basic minerals, vitamins and nutrients, besides a good concentration of plant hormones and essential oils that give celery its strong and characteristic smell. These oils have a specific effect on the regulation of the nervous system with their tranquilizing properties. The seeds of celery relieve flatulence, increase the secretion and discharge of urine and act as an aphrodisiac. They are tonic, laxative and stimulant. They correct spasmodic disorders and can be used for aborting unwanted pregnancies, but the later has to be supervise by a professional.
Arthritis: Celery is useful in the treatment of arthritis due to its high sodium content. Its organic sodium tends to prevent and relieve the arthritis joint deposits by keeping lime and magnesia in a solution form. For optimum results, it should be taken in the form of freshly extracted juice, using its leaves as well as stem.
Rheumatism and Gout: The alkaline elements in celery outweigh the acidic ones. It is therefore, very effective in diseases arising from acidity and toxemia, rheumatism and gout. A fluid extract of the seeds is more powerful than the raw vegetable.
Nervous Afflictions: An abundance use of celery juice combined with carrot juice is beneficial in the treatment of nervous afflictions resulting from the degeneration of sheathing or the protective cover of the nerves. It helps to restore these to their normal conditions thereby alleviating the afflictions.
Blood Disorder: The herb is valuable in diseases of the blood such as anaemia, leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, purpura and haemophilia caused by the inorganinc mineral elements and salts taken into the body by means of devitalized foods and sedatives. This plant is very high in magnesium and iron content, a combination which is valuable as a food for the blood cells. The juice of celery in combination with carrot juice should be taken in the treatment of these disorders.
Respiratory Disorders: Celery is known to have antispasmodic properties and is useful in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, pleurisy and tuberculosis. Its seeds serve the same purpose in such diseases.
Indigestion: The seeds of celery are an effective remedy for indigestion. A teaspoon of the seeds soaked in a glass of buttermilk mixture and administered to relieve indigestion.
Kidney and Gall Stones: Celery is a valuable food for those who are prone to stone formation in the gall bladder or kidneys. Its regular use prevents stone formation.
General Debility: The powdered dried root of the herb is an effective tonic in general debility or weakness and malnutrition. One teaspoon of honey is taken twice daily in such conditions.
Insomnia: Celery is also useful in the treatment of sleeplessness. Celery juice mixed with rosemary and a tablespoon of honey makes a delightful drink. This mixture taken at night before retiring will help one relax into a soothing and restful sleep.
Other uses celery can be eaten either raw in salads or in the cooked form. Soups and juices can also be prepared. In salads, it is usually taken with other vegetables and fruits. Cooked celery is delicious when taken with cream or butter. It is also used to flavor stews and sauces.
Other Benefits of Celery Juice
Fights Cancer: Celery is known to contain at least eight families of anticancer compounds. A study at New Jersey found that celery contains a number of compounds that help prevent cancer cells from spreading. Celery contains compounds called acetylenics and this compound has been shown to stop the growth of tumor cells. Celery contains other compounds called phonolic acids that block the action of hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which encourage the growth of tumor cells. Coumarins, another phytonutrient in celery helps prevent free-radicals from damaging cells and prevent the formation and development of the colon and stomach cancers.
Cholesterol: Laboratory studies also indicate that a certain chemical in celery, may help reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol this has been proven on patients with high blood pressure caused by high cholesterol level. According to researchers at the University of Chicago, celery reduces cholesterol levels by as much as 7 points with as little as 2 stalks a day. Celery also aids in increasing bile acid secretion which helps to remove cholesterol from the body.
Diuretic: The potassium and sodium in celery juice are powerful body fluid regulators that stimulate urine production to help rid the body of excess fluid.
Anti Inflammatory – The polyacetylene in celery is an amazing relief for all inflammation including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, asthma and bronchitis. A study published in the Proceeding of the National Academy of Science U.S.A found that another powerful phytonutrient called luteolin prevents activation of a pathway that allows inflammation in the brain to get switched on. Luteolin also inhibits the excess production of TNF-alpha, a direct cause of inflammation. Juice is the most efficient and nutritious way to eat celery, and people who have these conditions can drink as much juice as desired without overdosing
Lower blood pressure: Celery’s potential for reducing high blood pressure has long been recognized by Chinese medicine. Studies show that drinking celery juice every day for 1 week can significantly help lower blood pressure. A compound called phtalides helps relax the muscles around the arteries, dilating the vessels and allowing blood to flow smoothly. phtalides also reduce stress hormones, one of whose effects is to cause blood vessels to constrict. Celery amazingly doesn’t lower blood pressure which is already low.
Insomnia: The minerals and essential oils in celery juice have a calming effect on the nervous system, making it beneficial for insomniacs. Its high magnesium levels help people to relax into a soothing and restful sleep.
Weight loss: Drinking celery juice frequently throughout the day helps curb cravings for sweet. It is filling without putting any extra pounds on.
Elimination and Prevention of stones: Celery juice is an amazing eliminator of toxins from the body, which aids in the breaking and elimination of urinary and gall bladder stones. This lovely juice helps those who have suffered from stones from getting them again.
Increased Sexuality: Celery juice is beneficial for weak sexuality, yet doesn’t cause an uncontrollable urge as some pharmaceutical drugs do. Celery balances the system rather than increasing it. Celery can be juiced with any other fruits or vegetables. A particularly delicious and powerful combination is carrot, apple, cucumber and celery and water melon, this enhances, harmonies, revitalizes and rejuvenate a man for optimal wellbeing.
