Celery Seed Profile
Also known as- Apium graveolens, wild celery, Aches des Marais, Ajamoda, Apii Frutus, Celery Fruit, Fruit de Celeri, Smallage, Selleriefruchte, Selleriesamen.
Introduction
The celery used in herbal medicine is a close relative of the celery you can buy in market. The fruit or "seed" is grayish green to brown with a characteristic, slightly bitter, spicy taste. Too much celery seed can overpower a dish, whereas a little brings out flavors in other foods. Celery seed is used in pickles, casseroles, and Bloody Marys.
Constituents
Essential oil, with limonene and selinene as the main components, also pinene, cymene, caryophyllene, pinene, santalol, and dihydrocarvone, as well as antioxidant apigenin and isoquerticin.
Parts Used
The fruits or "seeds," whole or powdered
Typical Preparations
Can be used to make teas, but more often used in cooking. Seldom used in extract or capsule form.
Summary
Celery seed is a traditional remedy for nervous stomach. Prior to the Middle Ages, a wild form of celery referred to as selinon, or smallage, was used as a diuretic and a carminative, which is a treatment to reduce intestinal gas. Today, although celery is primarily used for flavor, it has the same effects on digestion.
A series of scientific studies conducted 10 to 30 years ago found that celery seed's essential oil contains compounds that are mildly tranquillizing and helpful in relieving arthritic pain. Some recent research suggests that celery seed contains other compounds that stop the carcinogenic effect of environmental toxins in the liver. Other research suggests that essential oils in the seeds may be mildly bactericidal against Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica.
Precautions
If you should not use diuretics, you should not use celery seed. The herb does not cause sensitivity to sunlight by itself, but it can cause increased risk of sunburn in people who take prescription ACE inhibitors to control high blood pressure.
