Edible properties of celery
For its percentage in water - reaching almost 95% - celery is presented as one of the lighter plants, especially suitable for those who want to lose weight. 100 g of this plant only have 16 calories, so we can say that this is one of the less caloric plants and it’s suitable for people who have problems with obesity. But the power of celery to remove "excess material" of the body is determined not only by its low caloric level, but also for its diuretic properties. This vegetable is a major diuretic. This property is conferred by its wealth of essential oils, especially abundant in the seeds - mainly limonene and selineno - and at the root - asparagine, a compound that occurs abundantly in asparagus, other vegetable with high capacity to relieve fluid retention. These same components, although to a lesser extent, also appear on the leaves. So, if we need a more drastic cure, we can prepare an infusion with the dried seeds in a proportion of 1.5 g per cup and drink 2 or 3 cups a day. We can also squeeze a couple of stems and leaves in the blender and drink up the juice, combining it with carrot, apple and lemon, always taking into account that the proportion of this plant - because of its strong flavour-, must be a quarter of the total liquid. Eating celery, in combination with other vegetables, will make us expel much more urine than normal, so it will help us to lose weight.
Moreover, the essential oil has antibacterial properties, so while it increases urination, it will also help to combat kidney infections caused by viruses or bacteria. In addition to removing uric acid, eating this plant will be helpful for overweight people, but also for rheumatic patients, those who have gout, diabetes, those who have kidney stones, kidney failure, or those have a tendency to develop sand in the kidneys or other organs. It may even be useful for patients with liver problems, since eliminating toxins prevents this organ from doing a big effort in order to purify the blood. It is very rich in potassium, which balances its high amount of sodium. This richness in salts, together with the large amount of essential oils give it a very particular taste that can be a bit strong for those who are not used to its consumption, providing an original flair when combined with other vegetables. This particular taste, along with its stomach-care properties tell us that it should be part of a salad eaten before abundant meals. A plate of fresh celery with some onion, red pepper and parsley will open the appetite, help digestion by increasing the performance of intestinal juices and will eject the remaining gases. Moreover, we must not forget that the celery is a good intestinal regulator which is able to increase bowel movements; this will help people who suffer from constipation and neutralize the excess bacteria that are in many cases responsible for fermentation and putrefaction in the bowel.
Without being one of the most generous vegetables in vitamins, it has a good dose of vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and vitamin B6, which gives it sedative properties and beneficial properties for the eye, hair and bones. Similarly, some components of the essential oil - sedanolide and others - seem to attribute celery the same properties. It content in vitamin C is relatively low. It is very convenient for the circulatory system. Eating the young plant regularly will help to lower cholesterol, eliminate uric acid, to combat hypertension and prevent cardiovascular diseases. Celery has been considered a very suitable food for the proper maintenance of sexual relations. It is considered a good aphrodisiac, increasing sexual desire and facilitating the erection of the penis. The easiest way to get these properties is to eat raw celery in salads. In addition to be a highly convenient food, celery has been used as a medicinal plant since ancient times. Among others, we could mention the following applications: PHYTOTHERAPY (Medicinal properties of celery) Internal use Nervousness: It has a calming effect on nerves (Decoction of 30 g of dried root per liter of water. Take a couple of glasses a day.) Gout: To lower uric acid and prevent gout we can prepare an infusion of 1.5 g of seeds per cup. We will take a couple of cups a day.
Cardiac arrhythmias: To regulate the heart rate, we can take daily 30 g of seed powder, divided into 3 doses.
Cholesterol: To lower cholesterol, we can take the fresh plant juice.
Expectorant: Used to expel the mucus that accumulate in the chest following a bout of flu, bronchitis. (Decoction of 30 g of dried root per liter of water. Take a couple of glasses a day.) Stomach: It whets the appetite (Half an hour decoction of 30 g of root per liter of water. Take a cup before each main meal of the day) Sedative for the stomach: It cures the pain and prevents spasms (infusion of 40 g of root per liter of water. 2 cups per day) External use
Vulnerary: With properties to heal wounds and scars and promote healing (Application in the form of rinsing over the wound or sore. Apply a poultice made with tender leaves on the affected area) Chilblains: Another one of their external properties is its ability to cure chilblains (1 hour decoction of 250 g of the plant per liter of water. Perform foot baths with the liquid for 15 minutes 3 times a day)
Mouthwash: It's very suitable to cure mouth sores and gum problems, such as gingivitis (Crush the dried plant and make a mouthwash) Voice problems: problems of lack of voice (aphonia) can get better by gargling with the decoction of the tender plant.
Toxicity and contraindications
It is necessary to avoid the ingestion of this food in high amounts because its got a hight content in oxalates. The administration of phytotherapeutic treatments is not recommended for people who present serious renal injuries or those that present inflammations in the bladder. Also, it is not advisable to take celery preparations during pregnancy because its content in apiin can produce abortions.
Composition of raw celery per 100 g |
| Water |
94, 64 gr. |
| Energy |
16 Kcal |
| Fats |
0, 14 gr. |
| Proteins |
0, 75 gr. |
| Carbohydrates |
3, 65 gr. |
| Fiber |
1, 7 gr. |
| Potassium |
287 mg |
| Sodium |
87 mg |
| Phosphorus |
25 mg |
| Calcium |
40 mg |
| Magnesium |
11 mg |
| Iron |
0, 40 mg |
| Zinc |
0, 13 mg |
| Vitamin C |
7 mg |
| Vitamin B1 |
0, 046 mg |
| Vitamin B2 |
0, 045 mg |
| Vitamin B6 |
0, 087 mg |
| Vitamin A |
28 IU |
| Vitamin E |
0, 360 mg |
| Folacin |
61 mcg |
| Niacin |
0, 323 mg |
 Related information:
Aphrodisiac plants
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