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Celery Seed
Celery seeds refer to the dried fruit of the celery plant, Apium graveolens,
a plant in the parsley family that lives for two years, flowering in its second
year. The celery plant and table celery are grown from a domesticated variety
of smallage, as it was known during the time of Ancient Greece, and used in
a variety of herbal medicinal treatments. Predominantly used as a vegetable,
celery seeds became used in recipes during the 19th century.
Celery seed is grown in France and India and comes from the plant whose stalks
are also used as a meal. The celery plant stands between two to three feet tall
and is slim. It contains between three to five segmented leaves in addition
to flowers that have small white petals. Within these flowers are contained
celery seed which are particularly small, approximately 1/16th of an inch, and
range in colour from tan to dark brown. Celery seeds also have a strong, pleasant
smell. It has been used in ancient times by Ayurvedic physicians as a treatment
to: ailments of the liver and spleen; colds; flu; poor digestion; various types
of arthritis; and water retention.
Celery seeds contain a number of substances that includes: volatile oils such
as apiol, flavonoids, boron, calcium, coumarins, irons, limonene, sodium, and
zinc. As an herbal supplement, it is available as seeds, tablets, capsules,
and as extracts. Medically, celery seed is primarily used as a diuretic to promote
the excretion of urine. Additionally, celery seed has been used as a treatment
to urinary tract infections due to its diuretic actions as well as its anti-bacterial
properties. The compounds of celery seed and its essential oils have led medical
experts to use celery seed as an aid in: reducing muscle spasms; calming the
nerves; aiding digestion; increasing milk flow; preventing flatulence; reducing
inflammations caused by rheumatism; aiding the treatment of nervous system diseases
such as neuralgia and sciatica; and alleviating pains associated by such inflammatory
health conditions as arthritis and gout. Studies made on animals have suggested
that celery seed may be helpful in lowering blood pressure, reducing cholesterol
level, protecting the liver from damaging acts such as acetaminophen, and preventing
the formation of cancerous tumors. However, these effects have yet to be confirmed
in medical studies taken on the effects of celery seed on humans.
The recommended dosage of celery seeds in a capsule or tablet form is one to
two capsules or tablets taken three times per day. Within a celery seed extract,
the recommended dosage is ¼ to ½ tsp taken three times per day. If using seeds,
it is recommended that celery seeds should be prepared as a tea using 1 to 3
grams of freshly crushed seeds. This tea should be drunk three times per day.
However, individuals with active kidney inflammation and pregnant women should
not use celery seeds. Additionally, individuals who may be allergic to celery
seeds should exorcise caution in using celery seeds as an herbal treatment.
Individuals that are allergic to birch pollen should first attain the approval
of their doctor before using celery seeds as it is common that allergies are
shared for both herbs. Celery seeds taken from a garden packet should never
be used as these seeds are often treated with chemicals and should not be digested.
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