Apium graveolens
Part Used: Dried mature seed
Celery is a widely cultivated, biennial plant which also grows wild in salty soils of North and South America, Europe, and Africa. Its seeds have anti-rheumatic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, carminative, anti-spasmodic, nervine, and sedative actions. The herb is commonly used as appetizer, diuretic, and emmenagogue. It is recommended for the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and gout. Its diuretic action is involved in rheumatic conditions. It is also used as a urinary antiseptic, largely because of the volatile oil apiol.
Celery also promotes the onset of menstruation. As a salad vegetable or made into a tea, it can be helpful also in clearing up skin problems. A decoction of the seeds can be used for bronchitis, rheumatism, and as a sedative for nervousness. A yellowish oil extracted from the root can restore sexual potency impaired by illness. The expressed juice of the plant, particularly the fleshy petioles, is the most effective form of medicine. It can be used for dropsy, rheumatic tendencies, gout, tendencies toward overweight, flatulence, chronic pulmonary catarrh, lack of appetite, and deficiency diseases. It is a strong diuretic which is not to be used when acute kidney problems exist (moderate use is allowable when kidney problems are chronic). Celery has a long history of medicinal and food use. It is an aromatic bitter tonic herb that reduces blood pressure, relieves indigestion, stimulates the uterus and is anti-inflammatory. The ripe seeds, herb and root are aperient, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, galactogogue, nervine, stimulant and tonic. It is said to be useful in cases of hysteria, promoting restfulness and sleep and diffusing through the system a mild sustaining influence. The herb should not be prescribed for pregnant women. Some of its constituents have antispasmodic, sedative and anticonvulsant actions. It has been shown to be of value in treating high blood pressure.
References:
Plant for a Future. http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Apium+graveolens
Holistic Online. http://www.holisticonline.com/Herbal-Med/_Herbs/h212.htm
