Celery seed health benefits

Celery seed has been in the medicine world for thousands of years. It is used as a herbal remedy and it helps with colds, flu, poor digestion and some diseases of liver and spleen, among others. But, its usage is relatively new to modern herbal medicine. Also, celery is widely used in cooking and it is known to be a popular diet food. The plant is 2 to 3 feet tall with a slender stalk that has 3 to 5 segmented leaves. The seed itself is rather small and dark brown in color, with a nice rich aroma. The seeds are located inside the flowers which are on the leaves. The seeds are known to have some valuable components, such as flavonoids, coumarins and linoleic acid.

Benefits of Celery Seed

Celery seeds are mostly used in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and gout. A research at the University of Chicago has discovered that its daily dosage lowers the blood pressure and cholesterol. This seed really helps with keeping the joints healthy. Celery seed has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce swelling and painful sensations around the joints. Celery seed has antiseptic and diuretic properties and it is very beneficial for water retention and the overall health of the urinary tract. In cases of bladder disorder and kidney disorder, these properties become very useful. Celery can promote the oncoming of menstruation, ease the nerves, relieve the pain and reduce anxiety. Celery seed is known to posses eight different families of anti-cancer compounds. Phthalides and polyacetylenes are two of those and they detoxify the carcinogens. Celery seed is mainly used as a diuretic, which means it aids the body in getting rid excess water and increases the urine output.

Dosage

Celery seed can be consumed as fresh or dried seeds, tablets, celery seed extract or in form of capsules that are filled with celery seed oil. A person should take two of these capsules or tablets 3 times per day. If a person is using celery seed extract, she or he should intake ¼ to ½ tsp of it 3 times per day as well. If a person chooses to take whole seeds, he or she should drink them as herbal tea: one teaspoon of freshly crushed seeds in a mug of boiling water and there should be 10 to 20 before drinking.

Side effects

Pregnant women should avoid it because it can lead to uterine bleeding. The same goes for those with active kidney inflammations. The seed should not be eaten straight from the garden packet because it is commonly treated with chemicals. Also, it is not recommended for children.