Celery (Qin Cai)

Botanical Name: Apium graveolens

Celery stimulates the nervous system and mineralizes the body. Because celery is both a diuretic and depurative it makes it a perfect ingredient for weight-loss programs. 3 glasses of celery juice a day are excellent for treating rheumatism, allergies, stomach disorders, detoxifying, and as an all-around aphrodisiac. Celery has an alkalizing effect on the body, which can help counteract the degenerative effects of the too acid diet many eat today. The high silicon levels in celery help renew joints, bone, arteries, and connective tissues. Celery is one of the few vegetables that combine well with fruit making it an easy addition to fruit dishes, salads, and juices. Celery builds energy, cleanses, calms you, and tastes good too!

Watch a short video, from Ann Christensen, Founder and Creator of White Rabbit Institute of Healing™ – The Hidden Values of Celery…

Below is an overview of celery, combining the best of Western Science, Oriental Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Shamanism, Folklore, and a wide range of healing modalities. Gain a balanced and thorough understanding of the healing properties of celery.

Parts Most Frequently Used: Stalk, Leaf, Root, Seed

Flavors/Temps: Slightly Pungent, Slightly Bitter, Slightly Sweet, Slightly Salty, Cool, Aromatic

Caution: Extremely safe. Some very few people can have an allergic reaction to celery and as celery is a diuretic, be aware if you are suffering from extremely low blood pressure as large doses could leave you feeling faint.

Key Constituents: Flavonoids, Luteolin, 3-n-butylphtalide (BuPh), Phtyalides, Polyacetylene, Androsterone, Volatile oil, Apiol, Silicon, Phthalides, Coumarins, Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, E, K, Iron, Calcium, Phosphorous, Potassium, Sodium, Magnesium and Zinc

History/Folklore: Celery was used by the Ancient Greeks to make wine. They also valued it for its aphrodisiac and medicinal properties. The Romans used celery leaves to make their “Winner’s Crowns.” They also used it to cure a hangover, some folks say that is the reason a celery stick is included in the popular “Blood Mary” beverage. The plant’s high water content, sodium, potassium, and vitamin C would all contribute to easing a morning after.

The fruit and seeds can be dried or pressed into oil. This volatile oil can be used as a medicine and as an ingredient in perfumes. The roots and seeds have been used for centuries as a natural diuretic, helping to rid the body of toxins and increase urine output. It has a long history of tonifying the kidneys.

To prepare an infusion, use four spoonfuls of celery powder in 1 liter of boiling water. Once boiled, pass the liquid through a sieve. One cup a day can be used for hoarseness, intestinal gas, or for its diuretic/laxative properties. An infusion of 2 spoonfuls of grained celery will stimulate the nervous system. A glass of cold water with a spoonful of grained celery root left to macerate is a good mixture for treating anorexia.

The natural organic sodium in celery is very safe for consumption and is, in fact, essential to the body. Many who are sensitive to regular table salt can use celery powder as a safe alternative.

Celery is full of stabilizing phytalide compounds, which are known for lowering blood pressure. It is in fact, traditionally used in Oriental Medicine to treat high blood pressure as well as recognized for supporting digestion, helping to build Qi, and tonify Kidney function.

Celery provides many of the essential amino acids that the body cannot produce.

Celery can help reduce uric acid and stimulate urine production, which is useful in fighting bacterial infections within the digestive tract or reproductive organs.

One cup of chopped celery has only 19 calories AND it takes more calories to chew and eat a stick of celery than the stick contains!!

Eating celery can increase the pheromone androsterone, which is a natural aphrodisiac found in male perspiration. It also contains compounds that help to dilate blood vessels, increase sex drive, and enhance climax.

The compound luteolin, found in celery, helps protect the skin from UV-induced damage. Celery and celery juice can help clear up acne and psoriasis.

The polyacetylenes found in celery contain chemoprotective compounds that help to reduce toxicity while boosting immunity. They also help to slow the growth of mutated cells.

If the celery has wilted a bit, simply sprinkle it with water, wrap it in a paper towel, and replace it in the refrigerator for a few hours. Wash celery well, commercial, non-organic, celery is one of the most pesticide-laden crops available. Home-grown garden celery is better tasting and less chemically laden, but if you are buying celery, buy only organic.

Another important reason not to buy non-organic celery involves the use of celery powder in the curing of processed meats such as bacon and sausage, often handled by the addition of nitrates. This is because companies producing cured meats are allowed to brand their products as “uncured” (meaning no nitrates) if they use celery powder. This is because there is no regulation for the use of celery powder in any amount, as there is for other sources of nitrates.

Although celery contains nitrates, eating celery and celery juice is perfectly healthy in any amount they could conceivably be consumed. Some amount of nitrates is beneficial. The nitrates in non-organic celery powder, however, are more concentrated such that you may be eating up to ten times the nitrates in so-called “uncured meat”, if it is not “organic” or “grass-fed”. Commercial producers (not organic or grass-fed products) use non-organic celery powder grown with high-nitrate fertilizers (further increasing the nitrate content) and that is also full of insecticides and other unhealthy compounds. Be aware of product labels and what they can tell you about a product’s possible impact on the environment, animal care, and your health.

While many foods lose their nutritional qualities during cooking, celery experiences only a minimal loss.