Celery

Celery (Apium graveolens) is a plant species in the family Apiaceae, and yields two important vegetables known as celery and celeriac. Cultivars of the species have been used for centuries, whilst others have been domesticated only in the last 200-300 years.

History Of Celery

Celery leaves and inflorences were part of the garlands found in the tomb of Tutankhamun, pharaoh of ancient Egypt, and celery mericarps dated to the 7th century BC were recovered in the Heraion of Samos. The use of celery seed in pills for relieving pain was described by Aulus Cornelius Celsus circa 30 AD.

Celery Nutrition Info

Celery is an excellent source of Vitamin C with all its health benefits. Vitamin C can help to reduce cold symptoms or the severity of cold symptoms during the winter months. This important Vitamin helps to support the immune system and is a cold fighter! Celery has negative calories! It takes more calories to eat and digest a piece of celery than the celery has in it initially.

Celery Health Benefits

The whole plant is gently stimulating, nourishing, and restorative; it can be liquidized and the juice taken for joint and urinary tract inflammations, such as rheumatoid arthritis, cystitis or urethritis, for weak conditions and nervous exhaustion. The root is an effective diuretic and has been taken for urinary stones and gravel. It also acts as a bitter digestive remedy and liver stimulant. A tincture can be used as a diuretic in hypertension and urinary disorders, as a component in arthritic remedies, or as a kidney energy stimulant and cleanser. Celery roots, fruits (seeds), and aerial parts, are used ethnomedically to treat mild anxiety and agitation, loss of appetite, fatigue, cough, and as an anthelmintic (vermifuge). Although many people enjoy foods made with celery, a small minority of people can have severe allergic reactions. For people with celery allergy, exposure can cause potentially fatal anaphylactic shock.

Storing Celery

Don't throw away celery that has been in your refrigerator a little too long and gone limp. Revive the stalks (or extend the shelf-life of fresh celery) by shaving a small amount off from the butt-end, soaking in luke-warm water (1/2 hr. or more), and refrigerating.

Celery Trivia

In the popular television show, Doctor Who, the fifth Doctor, played by Peter Davison, often wore a piece of celery on his lapel. Fans of Chelsea Football Club, Adelaide United, Central District Bulldogs and UCSB Soccer have been known to sing a saucy song in which they suggest they might use a "lump of celery" in order to tickle a lady's behind: "Celery, Celery, If she don't come, we'll tickle her bum with a lump of celery".

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