Celery seed is a plant in the family Apiaceae, with fennel, parsnips, and parsley, and are commonly used as a vegetable. Its origins can be trace back to the North African and Mediterranean areas.
Celery seed is an important part of the Irish, American, Australian and Japanese cuisine. The plant is great for garnish, salads, and soups.
Despite its high water content, celery seed contains many health benefits.
Health Benefits of Celery Seeds:
1. Contains Anti-bacterial Benefits
Celery seeds have been used for years because of their anti-bacterial benefits. Researchers from Sheffield Hallam University’s, Biomedical Research Centre in the U.K., studied “a crude alcoholic extract of celery seeds”, to test its effects against other bacteria and H. pylori.
These lab results found the extract exhibited potent antibacterial effects, which leads researchers to conclude that, it “may be suitable for further investigation as a potent agent for the treatment of H. pylori infections”.
2. Management of Diabetes
Studies reported the positive relationship between diabetes and celery seeds. It is very helpful for individuals who are suffering from type 1 diabetes, where there is deficiency of insulin in the blood.
Daily consumption of celery seed for diabetes is helpful in elevating the level of insulin in the blood. The intake of celery is not effective for type 2 diabetes patients that have high content of insulin in the body.
Celery seeds provide hypoglycemic effect in diabetic patients, and its usage, prevents and treats diabetes. Also, it does not allow the level of blood sugar in the body to spike.
The daily consumption of tea that was prepared from celery seeds helps to keep the condition under control in diabetic patients. Consume 2-3 cups of tea daily for the treatment of diabetes effectively.
3. Prevents Arthritis and Gout
Celery seed extract may be effective in reducing the pain linked with gout and osteo-arthritis.
15 study participants ingested celery seed extract at least twice daily, in a 12-week study. The participants had been inflicted with either gout or osteoarthritis for approximately 10 years. All of the participants had restricted mobility, which prevented many normal activities.
After 3 weeks, the average participant reported a 68% reduction in pain, which is based on a pain threshold scale. After 6 weeks, some participants reported almost complete pain relief. And there were no side effects reported by any of the participants.
Celery seed extract produced similar pain-relief benefits on patients suffering from fibromayalgia as well. The pain-relieving properties of celery seed extract are because of the presence of 3nB or 3-n-butylphthalide. 3nB is a compound that is found in celery, which gives it a unique taste and smell.
4. Reduces Uric Acid
If you are suffering from gout, then you might want to try celery seed gout remedy. This particular herbal Medicine features various benefits for the urinary system, and can help in eliminating uric acid from the body. This reduces the existence of gout crystals, therefore, resulting from inflammation and pain.
5. Regulates Blood Pressure
Celery seeds acts as a natural diuretic, which benefit patients with high blood pressure through speeding up salt excretion. High levels of salt in your blood can cause fluid build-up in the blood vessels, therefore, causing high blood pressure.
Celery seeds are a safer and natural alternative to artificial diuretics or water pills, which are usually prescribed by conventional physicians.
How to Add Celery Seed in Your Diet:
One of the easiest ways to add celery seed into your diet is to shake it into foods that you are already enjoying. Celery seed will enhance the flavor of clam chowder or potato soup.
You can sprinkle celery seed over raw chicken breasts before grilling or baking them, or shake them over broiled fish or braised pork chops. Shake the seeds over green salad, or inside a tuna fish sandwich, as a additional way to eat the tiny seeds.
If you are pregnant or taking thyroid medication, do not use celery seed without your doctor’s approval, because it can interfere with the medication, or increase the risk of miscarriage, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Sources:
Dr Axe
Livestrong
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photo credit: 101herbs