Celery is rich in fiber and in chemical compounds. It is about 94% water, contains protein, calcium, vitamin C, carbohydrate, sodium, and a trace of fat. Celery is also valuable for adding fiber to the diet. Celery seeds contain several substances including volatile oils, flavonoids, coumarins, and linoleic acid. The essential oil of celery seed includes d-limonene, selinene, sesquiterpene alcohols, sedanolide, and sedanonic anhydride. As a medicinal plant, celery has been used as an aphrodisiac, anthelmintic, antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, laxative, sedative, stimulant, and tonic.
Apium is known as a mild diuretic and urinary antiseptic and has been used in the treatment of urinary calculi. It has a calming effect on the gut, and can be used in the relief of flatulence and griping pains. However, whilst it can reduce visceral spasm, it conversely stimulates the smooth muscle of the womb and can bring on delayed menstruation. After childbirth it helps the uterus readjust and encourages the flow of breast milk. The phthalides are the constituents responsible for the antispasmodic, sedative and diuretic actions. Apium has a direct action on the kidneys, increasing the elimination of water and speeding up the clearance of accumulated toxins from the joints and so is of benefit in any oedematous condition that accompanies arthritis. It is often administered with Taraxacum radix to increase the efficiency of elimination by both the kidneys and the liver. Apium is also hypoglycaemic, and as such is helpful in diabetes; this action seems to involve a direct action on the pancreas and its production of insulin. Clinical studies in China have demonstrated a hypotensive action for the tincture, and this is accompanied by increased urine output. The flavonoid apigenin has exhibited significant anti-platelet activity in vitro.
The leaves are of the same nature, and are eaten in the spring. The seeds are hot and carminative, and therefore good for the wind.
Modern uses: Although similar to Garden Celery, the wild variety has an unpleasant odour. The seeds and stems are mainly used to flavour other medicines, and as a tonic. It is normally prescribed as a fluid extract, the dose ( which is three to seven drops every three or four hours. As a nerve tonic it is combined with Scullcap. For rheumatism and arthritis, combine with Damiana. The powdered seeds are used in doses of 2o-6o grains (I.3 to 3.9 g) when the extract is not available.
Fresh celery is a product popular with the health conscious. It contains the important vitamins A, C, and folic acid, and nutritional minerals, yet has almost no calories. It is an excellent source of cleansing dietary fiber. Some dieticians suggest that celery has negative calories, implying that the process of eating and digesting this vegetable consumes more calories from the body than are obtained from the vegetable. Celery also contributes to dental hygiene, being a natural fibrous tooth cleaner and containing compounds that act as surface cleansers.
