Celery seed

Apium graveolens

Celery seed has been used as medicine for thousands of years in the Eastern world. During ancient times, Indian Ayurvedic medicine used celery seed to treat colds, flu, water retention, poor digestion, different types of arthritis, and certain diseases of the liver and spleen.

Today, celery seed is used mostly as a diuretic, meaning it helps your body eliminate water by increasing urine output. Celery seed is also used for:

  • Treating arthritis and gout
  • Helping reduce muscle spasms
  • Calming the nerves
  • Reducing inflammation
  • Lowering blood pressure

There are no human scientific studies that show whether celery seed helps treat these conditions or any others. Studies do show that celery seed acts as a mosquito repellent.

A few animal studies suggest that celery seed extracts may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as protect the liver from damaging substances such as high doses of the pain reliever acetaminophen (Tylenol). But again, researchers do not know whether those effects apply to humans.

Researchers have found that people who eat a diet rich in lutein, found in celery, spinach, broccoli, lettuce, tomatoes, oranges, carrots, and greens, were less likely to develop colorectal cancer. However, celery was just one part of their diet. So it could be celery, another food, or some combination of foods that lowered their risk of cancer.

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