Celery is very well known vegetable and commonly used medicinal herbs. Its botanical name is Apium graveolens Linn; family Umbelliferae/Apiaceae. Celery is native to Europe. In India it is cultivated in north-western Himalayas and in hills of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and southern India. It is also known as Ajmoda in Sanskrit.
The seeds of celery plant are useful in curing various digestive complaints. The leaves and stalks are also beneficial for health. Celery leaves and stalk can be added to salad. These can be ground in blender with water to make juice.
The green parts of celery are high in roughage. This makes celery excellent in curing constipation.
Celery is highly alkaline due to its sodium content. This helps to cure excessive body acidity. High acid in body is responsible for casing many diseases and celery can protects organs from acid damage.
Celery contains luteolin and quercentin, flavonoids which are acknowledged antioxidants.
Celery is natural diuretic. Diuretics are agents that causes production of urine. This property helps to eliminate excess water from body, and also regulation of body temperature.
The intake of celery is beneficial in arthritis and gout patient, as it help to flush away the uric acid crystals that build up around the joints.
Celery contains eight different families of anti-cancer compound, such as phthalide, and polyacetylens, that detoxify carcinogenic in cigarette smoke.
Health benefits of Celery leaves
- Antioxidant, protects cells from free radical damage
- Natural diuretic
- Rich in organic sodium
- Good source of calcium, iron, potassium and magnesium
- Useful in condition of excessive acidity and indigestion
- Good for arthritis, low appetite, adrenal function and weight loss
- Low in calories, but rich in nutritional value
- Good source of vitamin A, B1, C, E and fibre
- Celery is high in fire, so helps to cure constipation
- Detoxifies body and thus gives relief in skin diseases
- Good for overall health