Celery Seed

Celery seed, whose sharp, refreshing flavor you may have tasted in pickles or sauerkraut, is also a useful herbal medicine. Celery seed has had varied uses around the world for thousands of years. Recent scientific studies have shown that certain chemicals in celery seed may actually help problems such as high blood pressure, arthritis, and anxiety. Celery seed may also help prevent cancer.

Celery seed has long been used to treat both arthritis and muscle spasm. Several chemicals in celery seed block inflammation or relieve pain. Others chemicals relax muscles that are in spasm. Celery seed contains calcium, which can help relax muscle cramps.

Certain chemicals in celery seed are anti-bacterial, while others are diuretic, meaning that they help remove water from the body in the form of urine. This helps wash away bacteria and the minerals that cause kidney and bladder stones.

Several chemicals in celery seed are hypotensive, meaning that they help lower blood pressure. Celery seeds are also rich in calcium, which may also lower blood pressure.

Celery seed has long been used in traditional medicine to treat gout and kidney stones. It lowers the levels of uric acid in the body.

Studies in lab animals show that celery seed prevents liver damage caused by toxic chemicals. It has been used for centuries as a liver tonic.

Celery seed strengthens muscles in the uterus, which helps increase menstrual flow.

A compound in celery seed called limonene acts as a mild tranquilizer. The calcium in celery seed helps calm tense nerves.

Celery seed may also help prevent cancer. A number of chemicals in celery seed prevented tumors in lab animals exposed to cancer-causing substances.

Plant Description

Celery seeds come from the same plant whose stalks we've all eaten and cooked with. If you've never seen the stalks in their natural habitat, the celery plant is slender and stands about two to three feet tall. It has three to five segmented leaves, and flowers with small white petals. The seeds come from the flowers, are very small, are tan to dark brown, and have a strong, pleasant smell.

What's It Made Of?

Volatile oils (including apiol), flavonoids, boron, calcium, iron, limonene, sodium, zinc, 3-N-butyl-phthalide, alpha-linolenic-acid, beta-eudesmol, guaiacol, isoimperatorin, isoquercitrin, limonene, p-cymene, terpinen-4-ol, umbelliferone.

Available Forms

• Fresh or dried seeds
• Tablets
• Capsules filled with celery seed oil
• Celery seed extract, in which the active ingredients of celery seed have been extracted by alcohol or glycerin

How to Take It

• Celery seed oil capsules or tablets: Take one to two capsules or tablets three times a day, as directed by your health care provider.
• Celery seed extract: Take 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. three times a day, or as directed by your health care provider. (Always take with plenty of juice or with water at mealtime, unless instructed otherwise.)
• Whole celery seeds: Prepare a tea by pouring boiling water over one teaspoon (1 to 3 g) of freshly crushed seeds. Let it steep for 10 to 20 minutes before drinking. Drink this tea three times a day.

Precautions

• Do not use celery seed if you are, or could be, pregnant.
• Celery seed is a safe herb. One word of caution, though. If you use it as a diuretic, consult your doctor first. Diuretics can deplete your body of potassium, which is an essential nutrient.
• Also, don't use celery seeds from a garden packet. Most seeds sold for planting have been treated with chemicals and shouldn't be taken internally.

Possible Interactions

No harmful drug interactions have been reported.

Supporting Research

Appel LJ, Moore TJ et al. A clinical trial of the effects of dietary patterns on blood pressure. N Engl J Med. 1997;336:1117–1124. Abstract.

Atta AH, et al. Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of some Jordanian medicinal plant extracts. J Ethnopharmacol. 1998;60:117–124.

Balch J, Balch P. Prescription for Nutritional Healing: A-to-Z Guide to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs, & Food Supplements. New York, NY: Avery Publishing Group; 1990.

Banerjee S, Sharma R, Kale RK, Rao AR. Influence of certain essential oils on carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes and acid-soluble sulfhydryls in mouse liver. Nutr Cancer. 1994;21:263–269. Abstract.

Boffa MJ, Gilmour E, Ead RD. Case report. Celery soup causing severe phototoxicity during PUVA therapy [letter]. Br J Dermatol. 1996;135(2):334.

Duke JA. Handbook of Phytochemical Constituents of GRAS Herbs and Other Economic Plants. Boca Raton, Fla: CRC Press; 1992.

Ko FN, et al. Vasodilatory action mechanisms of apigenin isolated from Apium graveolens in rat thoracic aorta. Biochim Biophys Acta. November 14; 1991;1115:69–74.

Lewis, DA, et al. The anti-inflammatory activity of celery Apium graveolens L. Int J Crude Drug Res. 1985;23.

Miller L. Herbal medicinals: selected clinical considerations focusing on known or potential drug-herb interactions. Arch Intern Med. 1988;158(20):2200–2211.

Mills SY. Dictionary of Modern Herbalism: A Comprehensive Guide to Practical Herbal Therapy. Rochester, Vt: Healing Arts Press; 1988.

Singh A, Handa SS. Hepatoprotective activity of Apium graveolens and Hygrophila auriculata against paracetamol and thioacetamide intoxication in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 1995;49:119–126.

Steinmetz KA, Potter JD. Vegetables, fruit, and cancer. II. Mechanisms. Cancer Causes Control. 1991;2:427–442. Abstract.

Teng CM, Lee LG, Ko SN, et al. Inhibition of platelet aggregation by apigenin from Apium graveolens. Asia Pac J Pharmacol. 1985;3:85.

Tsi D, et al. Effects of aqueous celery (Apium graveolens) extract on lipid parameters of rats fed a high fat diet. Planta Med. 1995;61:18–21.

Zheng GQ, et al. Chemoprevention of benzo[a]pyrene-induced forestomach cancer in mice by natural phthalides from celery seed oil. Nutr Cancer. 1993;19:77–86.

Zheng GQ, Kenney PM, Zhang J, Lam LK. Chemoprevention of benzo[a]pyrene-induced forestomach cancer in mice by natural phthalides from celery seed oil. Nutr Cancer. 1993;19:77–86.

Copyright © 2000 Integrative Medicine Communications

The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.