What is Celery? What are the Health Benefits, Uses and Side Effects of Celery? Easy Celery Soup Recipe

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

Celery botanical name is Apium graveolens, some other common names are Ajmod, ajwain ka patta, wild celery, Apii Frutus, Apio, Apium graveolens, Céleri, and Celery Fruit. It is native to Europe and grown widely in temperate regions and tropical mountains.

Large areas of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, India, cultivate celery to produce its seeds, it grows best in relatively cool weather and moderate rainfall. It is also grown in the kitchen or home gardens to be used as a salad.

Its seeds are exported as condiments and leaves are used as vegetables. The entire plant is endowed with many medicinal properties.

Celery is an important salad plant, consisting of bulbous roots, stem, and green leaves which sprout directly from the fleshy roots. They are compounded with long stalks which are big and succulent.

The fruits of the celery are small dark brown in color and have a peculiar flavor when cut open, the seeds are brown in color.

History of Celery

Celery has been in cultivation for more than 2,000 years, in England, where it grew wild, it was known as smallage and used in medicine.

It was brought into gardens in the 16th and 17th centuries and grown as a flavoring for soups and stews.

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Nutritional Value

Celery is excellent basic food, it is one of the best sources of minerals salts, and vitamins. An analysis of celery leaves shows moisture 88.0%, protein 6.3%, fat 0.6%, mineral 2.1%, fiber 1.4%, and carbohydrates 16%, per 100 grams.

Its minerals and vitamin contents are calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C, its calorific value is 37.

The fruits yield oil, pale yellow in color, it consists of limonene d-selinene, sedanomic acid, anhydride, and sedanolide.

The word celery is derived from Latin, celery which means quick acting and it also refers to its therapeutic properties.

The leaves and the stem of the bullous roots are all enriched with active ingredients which makes celery an important medicinal plant.

It has well-balanced content of basic vitamins, minerals, and essential oils that give celery its strong, characteristic smell.

2. Ayurvedic properties of Celery

1. Rasa (Taste): It has sweet (Madhura), bitter (Tikta), and astringent (Kashaya) tastes.

2. Virya (Potency): It is cooling in nature (Sheeta).

3. Vipaka (Post-digestive taste): The post-digestive taste is sweet (Madhura).

4. Dosha Effects: Celery is generally considered balancing for all three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—when used in moderate amounts.

3. What are the health benefits and Uses of Celery?

Celery is beneficial in the treatment of joint pain (rheumatism), gout, hysteria, nervousness, headache, weight loss due to malnutrition, loss of appetite, and exhaustion.

As it is warming and stimulating, it detoxifies the body, burns Ama, and is used as a preventive measure for gout and rheumatism.

The seeds relieve flatulence, increase the secretion and discharge of urine and act as an aphrodisiac, they are tonic, laxative, and stimulant.

They help to correct spasmodic disorders and can be used for aborting unwanted pregnancies.

The seeds have antiseptic and diuretic properties and are beneficial in treating fluid retention. It is also used in bronchitis, asthma, spleen, and liver.

The seeds are stimulative and used as a cardiac tonic, their decoction is a popular household remedy for arthritis, rheumatism, and gout.

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Here are some health benefits and uses of Celery

For Arthritis

The celery contains high sodium content which tends to prevent and gives relieve the arthritic joint deposit by keeping lime and magnesia in a solution form.

For a better result, it can be taken as the fresh juice of celery green leaves and stems.

For Blood Pressure

It is beneficial in the treatment of blood disorders like anemia, leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, purpura, and hemophilia caused by inorganic mineral elements and salts taken into the body using devitalized food and sedatives.

The plant has enriched with high magnesium and iron content which is valuable for blood cells. The juice of the celery with carrot should be taken in the treatment of these disorders.

For General Debility

The powder of the dried root of the herb is an effective tonic in general debility or weakness and malnutrition. One tsp. of this powder mixed with a tbsp. of honey twice daily is advised.

For Indigestion

Celery seeds are an effective remedy for indigestion, a tsp of seeds soaked in a glass of buttermilk for 5-6 hours and then ground in the same buttermilk help to relieve indigestion.

For Insomnia

Celery is also useful in treating sleeplessness, the juice of celery mixed with a tbsp of honey makes a delightful drink. This mixture taken at night before retiring helps in a relaxed and restful sleep.

Celery with thick ribs and crisply brittle stalks should be selected for use. The green portion should never be discharged or scraped, as by doing so, valuable vitamins are lost.

For Kidney and Gall Stones

Celery is a valuable food for those prone to stone formation in the gall bladder or the kidneys, regular use prevents stone formation.

For Nervous Afflictions

Celery juice combined with carrot juice is beneficial in treating nervous afflictions caused by degenerations of sheathing or the protective cover of the nerves.

For Respiratory Disorders

Celery is known to have antispasmodic properties and is useful in treating asthma, bronchitis, pleurisy, and tuberculosis. Its seeds serve the same purpose in such diseases.

For Rheumatism and Gout

The alkaline elements in celery outweigh the acidic, it is therefore very effective in diseases arising from acidity and toxemia, rheumatism, and gout.

Other Uses

Celery can be eaten either raw in salads or cooked, it is mixed with other vegetables in salads. Cooked celery is delicious when taken with cream or butter.

It is also used to flavor stews, sauces, soups, and juices that can be also prepared with celery.

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Here are some uses for cooking

• Celery with hummus.
• Celery leaves with peanut butter and raisins.
• Chopped celery to tuna salad.
• Stir fry celery with red chilis for spicy salad.
• Celery with carrots and onion in chicken noodle soup.
• Spread cream cheese on celery stalks and sprinkle with bacon bits.
• Add crushed tomatoes, baby carrots, ginger, and garlic to a pot roast in the slow cooker.

4. Celery Soup Recipe

This is a very easy, tasty, and healthy soup recipe, to make at home, a perfect chilling winter dish that can be enjoyed with friends and family.

Ingredients

• Butter – ¼ cup
• Yellow Onion – 1 cup
• Celery Chopped – 2 cups
• Carrot finely chopped – ½ cup
• Garlic chopped – 1tbsp
• Chicken Stock – 1 ½ cup
• Whole Milk – 1 ½ cup
• Salt – Add to taste
• Sugar – ¼ tsp
• Black Pepper – 1/8 tsp
• All-purpose flour – 1/8 tsp

Method

• Put a pan on the heat and add butter, then add garlic, onion, celery, and carrot. Stir till light brown.
• Add flour and stir for one minute.
• Add chicken stock and milk, stirring until smooth. Increase heat, bringing the mixture to a simmer.
• Reduce heat to medium, add remaining ingredients, and simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes.
• Serve hot with a dash of cream or butter.

5. What are the Side Effects of Celery?

All Ayurveda herbs are plant-based, and they don’t have any side effects, but they may react with some allopathy or homeopathy medicine. It is better to consult the doctor if you are on any medications or have unique health issues.

Here are some side effects of Celery

• Consult the doctor if you are breastfeeding.
• Do not take Celery without a doctor’s prescription if you are pregnant.
• Do not take Celery, if you are suffering from any kind of critical disease.
• If you are on diabetes or hypertension medication. Consult first the doctor before consuming Celery.
• If you are above 65 years old and want to start Celery, consult the doctor, and talk about your health conditions.
• If you are on any supplements, vitamins, or herbal medication, consult the doctor before taking Celery.
• Celery may interact with other medicines like blood sugar or blood pressure allopathy medicines.

Note: This post is about educating the benefits and uses of Celery, consult the Ayurvedic doctor before starting.

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6. Frequently Asked Question

Q - What are the health benefits of celery juice?

Celery is beneficial in the treatment of joint pain (rheumatism), gout, hysteria, nervousness, headache, weight loss due to malnutrition, loss of appetite, and exhaustion.

Q - What nutritional value does celery have?

Celery is excellent basic food, it is one of the best sources of minerals salts, and vitamins. An analysis of celery leaves shows moisture 88.0%, protein 6.3%, fat 0.6%, mineral 2.1%, fiber 1.4%, and carbohydrates 16%, per 100 grams.

Q - What​ is the Hindi name of celery?

Celery Hindi name is Ajwain, some other common names are Apium graveolens, Ajmod, ajwain ka patta, wild celery, Apii Frutus, Apio, Apium graveolens, and Céleri.

Q - How does celery help with weight loss?

Celery juice contains low fat as compared to others, it provides dietary fibers that help to improve digestion which leads to reduced weight.

Q - How much celery should I eat a day?

Anyone can eat 50-60 grams of celery seeds and 100-200 gm of fresh leaves and stalks daily.