Celery seed is one of the lesser-known herbs in Western herbal medicine. However, it has been known for thousands of years in other parts of the world for its varied uses. During ancient times, Ayurvedic physicians (vaidyas) used celery seed to treat people with colds, flu, water retention, poor digestion, various types of arthritis, and certain ailments of the liver and spleen. Modern research has documented that there may indeed be a pharmacological basis for most of these uses. In addition, laboratory studies on animals indicate that celery seed may be useful for treating hypertension, and even in the prevention of cancer.

Celery seed has significant diuretic properties, which may be why it decreases hypertension. (It also contains constituents that are directly hypotensive, as well as significant amounts of calcium, which also lowers blood pressure.) In addition, the diuretic action combined with the presence of bactericidal compounds in celery seed support its usefulness in treating urinary tract infection.

Scientific evidence also shows that celery seed may aid in the prevention of cancer. A number of studies have examined the ability of whole celery seed extract or its individual constituents to prevent tumor formation in animals. The results of these studies have been positive. The phthalides, which determine the characteristic odor of celery, are especially potent as anti-tumor agents.

These compounds also stimulate the production of the enzyme glutathione-S-transferase. This enzyme helps break down many toxic substances in the body and may help support the traditional application of celery seed for treating disorders such as arthritis and cancer in these cases.

The seed of a biennial slender plant which can grow to 60 cm in height, with three to five segmented leaves; small white flower petals; seeds are very small with a distinctive odor. Grows in northern warm or temperate zones.

The seeds of the celery plant have traditionally been used. (The plant and roots contain many of the same active constituents, however; essential oils made from the plant have occasionally been used in traditional medicine.)

 Consituents/Composition

• Volatile oils (including apiol)
• Flavonoids
• 3-N-butyl-phthalide
• Alpha-linolenic acid
• Beta-eudesmol
• Guaiacol
• Isoimperatorin
• Isoquercitrin
• P-cymene
• Umbelliferone

• Fresh or dried seeds
• Tablets, various concentrations
• Celery seed oil capsules
• Alcohol or glycerine extract

• Hypertension (celery seed contains both diuretic and directly hypotensive constituents)
• Arthritis/rheumatism (anti-inflammatory and analgesic constituents)
• Liver disorders (hepatoprotective and detoxifying constituents)
• Nervous restlessness (nervine and sedative constituents)
• Muscle spasms (spasmolytic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic constituents)
• Gout and calculi (said to increase elimination of uric acid)
• Urinary tract infections (bactericidal and diuretic constituents)
• Digestive tonic and carminative
• Emmenogogue (uterine stimulant)
• Galactogogue
• May be useful cancer preventative (constituents that stimulate detoxifying enzymes; others with antitumor-promoting properties)
• Used as aphrodisiac in traditional medicine
• Anti-inflammatory

Arthritis and muscle spasm: Alpha-linolenic acid and umbelliferone have been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity. Umbelliferone is also an antiprostaglandin, which may contribute to celery seed's effects on inflammation and arthritis. P-cymene is analgesic and antirheumatologic. Apiol, limonene, and umbelliferone are all antispasmodic. The high levels of calcium in celery seed may also aid in relaxing muscle spasm.

Urinary tract infections: Celery seed contains a number of consituents that have antibacterial properties. It also is a diuretic, which increases urine output to clear bacteria from the urinary tract. P-cymene, guaiacol, limonene, terpinen-4-ol, and umbelliferone are all bactericidal. Isoquercitrin and terpinen-4-ol have both bactericidal and diuretic properties. Apiol is also a diuretic.

Lowering of blood pressure: Alpha-linolenic acid has hypotensive properties; apiol and terpinen-4-ol act as diuretics; and isoquercitin has both hypotensive and diuretic activities. Celery seed also contains high levels of calcium, which may play a significant role in reducing blood pressure.

Liver disorders: In studies on rats, liver damage induced by hepatotoxins is inhibited by extracts of celery seed. Beta-eudesmol has hepatoprotective properties.

Uterine disorders: Apiol is a uterotonic and an emmenagogue (promotes menstruation). It also acts as an abortifacient, thereby contraindicating celery seed for use in pregnancy.

Anxiety and stress relief: Limonene has sedative properties. In addition, celery seeds contain high levels of calcium, which also tend to have a relaxing effect.

Antitumor and antioxidant properties: The phthalides, bitter liminoids, and sedanolide in celery seed stimulate the activity of the detoxifying enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST). Compounds with this activity are potent antitumor agents. A number of other compounds found in celery seed also have anticarcinogenic activity, including alpha-linolenic acid, isoimperatorin, isoquercitrin, limonene, and umbelliferone. In addition, alpha-linolenic acid has antimetastatic, lymphocytogenic, and immunostimulant properties.

• The dosages found in different preparations on the market vary. Recommended dosage is to take the equivalent of 1 to 3 g dried seed tid.
• Tablets: various concentrations available. Take 1 to 3 g tid
• Celery seed oil capsules: one to two capsules tid
• Celery seed extract: ¹/4 to ¹/2 tsp. tid, with 8 oz. juice or water
• Prepare a tea by pouring boiling water over 1 tsp. of freshly crushed seeds, 1 to 3 g dried seed tid. Let steep for 10 to 20 minutes before drinking.

None reported

Do not use in pregnancy.

Do not use seed sold for horticultural use. They are usually treated with fungicide.

Do not use with active kidney inflammation. Phototoxic warnings as with St. John's wort are warranted here (i.e., not with UV therapy or with tanning booths).

No clinically significant interactions between celery and conventional medications are known to have been reported in the literature to date, including the German Commission E monograph (Blumenthal 1998).

N/A

Appel LJ, Moore TJ, et al. A clinical trial of the effects of dietary patterns on blood pressure. N Engl J Med. 1997;336:1117-1124.

Atta AH, et al. Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of some Jordanian medicinal plant extracts. J Ethnopharmacol. 1998;60:117-124.

Balch J, Balch P. Prescription for Nutritional Healing: A-to-Z Guide to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs, & Food Supplements. New York, NY: Avery Publishing Group; 1990.

Banerjee S, Sharma R, Kale RK, Rao AR. Influence of certain essential oils on carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes and acid-soluble sulfhydryls in mouse liver. Nutr Cancer. 1994;21:263–269.

Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications; 1998:320.

Duke JA. Handbook of Phytochemical Constituents of GRAS Herbs and Other Economic Plants. Boca Raton, Fla: CRC Press; 1992.

Ko FN, et al. Vasodilatory action mechanisms of apigenin isolated from Apium graveolens in rat thoracic aorta. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1991:69-74.

Lewis DA, et al. The anti-inflammatory activity of celery Apium graveolens L. Int J Crude Drug Res. 1985;23.

Mills SY. Dictionary of Modern Herbalism: A Comprehensive Guide to Practical Herbal Therapy. Rochester, Vt: Healing Arts Press; 1988.

Singh A, Handa SS. Hepatoprotective activity of Apium graveolens and Hygrophila auriculata against paracetamol and thioacetamide intoxication in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 1995;49:119-126.

Steinmetz KA, Potter JD. Vegetables, fruit, and cancer. II. Mechanisms. Cancer Causes Control. 1991;2:427-442.

Tsi D, et al. Effects of aqueous celery (Apium graveolens) extract on lipid parameters of rats fed a high fat diet. Planta Med. 1995;61:18-21.

Zheng GQ, Kenney PM, Zhang J, Lam LK. Chemoprevention of benzo[a]pyrene-induced forestomach cancer in mice by natural phthalides from celery seed oil. Nutr Cancer. 1993;19:77-86.