CELERY

OTHER NAME(S):

Aches des Marais, Ajamoda, Ajmoda, Ajwan, Apii Frutus, Apio, Apium graveolens, Céleri, Celeriac, Celery Fruit, Celery Seed, Celery Tuber, Fruit de Celeri, Graine de Céleri, Karmauli, Persil des Marais, Qin Cai, Smallage, Selleriefruchte, Selleriesamen.<br/><br/>

Overview

Overview Information

Celery is a plant that can be eaten raw or cooked.

Some people take celery by mouth to treat joint pain (rheumatism), gout, nervousness, headache, weight loss due to malnutrition, loss of appetite, and exhaustion. Celery is also taken by mouth to promote relaxation and sleep, kill bacteria in the urinary tract, increase the flow of urine, help regulate bowel movements, control intestinal gas (flatulence), increase sexual desire, and for "blood purification."

Some women take celery by mouth to help start menstruation, decrease menstrual pain, or decrease the flow of breast milk.

How does it work?

It is thought that the chemicals in celery act to cause sleepiness, increase urine to decrease fluid retention, decrease arthritis symptoms, decrease blood pressure, decrease blood sugar, decrease blood clotting, and muscle relaxation.

Uses

Uses & Effectiveness?

Possibly Effective for

  • Menstrual discomfort. Some clinical research shows that taking a specific product containing celery seed, anise, and saffron for 3 days reduces pain severity and duration during the menstrual cycle.
  • Mosquito repellent. Some research shows that applying a gel containing 5% to 25% celery extract to the skin can repel mosquitos for up to 4.5 hours. Other research shows that applying a specific product containing celery extract 5%, vanillin, eucalyptus oil, orange oil, and citronella oil, repels mosquitoes similarly to other commercial products, such as DEET 25% and Insect Block 28.

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Muscle and joint aches and pains.
  • Gout.
  • Nervousness.
  • Headache.
  • Appetite stimulation.
  • Exhaustion.
  • Fluid retention.
  • Regulating bowel movements.
  • Use as a sleeping sedative.
  • Gas.
  • Stimulating menstruation.
  • Breast milk reduction.
  • Aiding digestion.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of celery for these uses.

Side Effects

Side Effects & Safety

Celery oil and celery seeds are LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in food amounts. Celery is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth or applied to the skin in medicinal amounts for a short period of time. However, many people are allergic to celery. Allergic reactions can range from skin inflammation to anaphylaxis. Celery can also cause sensitivity to the sun.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Celery oil and celery seeds are LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts during pregnancy. Large amounts of celery might make the uterus contract and cause a miscarriage. There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking celery oil and seeds if you are breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Allergies: Celery can cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to certain other plants and spices including wild carrot, mugwort, birch, caraway, fennel or coriander seeds, parsley, anise, plantain, and dandelion. This has been called the "celery-carrot-mugwort-spice syndrome," or the "celery-mugwort-birch-spice" syndrome.

Bleeding disorder: There is concern that celery might increase the risk of bleeding when used in medicinal amounts. Don’t use celery if you have a bleeding disorder.

Kidney problems: Don’t use celery in medicinal amounts if you have kidney problems. Celery might cause inflammation.

Low blood pressure: Celery in medicinal amounts might lower blood pressure. If your blood pressure is already low, taking celery might make it drop too much.

Surgery: Celery can affect the central nervous system. There is some concern that celery, in combination with anesthesia and other medications used during and after surgery might slow down the central nervous system too much. Stop using celery at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

Interactions?

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

!

  • Levothyroxine interacts with CELERY

    Levothyroxine is used for low thyroid function. Taking celery seed along with levothyroxine might decrease the effectiveness of levothyroxine. But it is not clear why this interaction might occur, or if it is a big concern.<br/><br/> Some brands that contain levothyroxine include Armour Thyroid, Eltroxin, Estre, Euthyrox, Levo-T, Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Unithroid, and others.

  • Lithium interacts with CELERY

    Celery might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." Taking celery might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.

  • Medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight (Photosensitizing drugs) interacts with CELERY

    Some medications can increase sensitivity to sunlight. Celery might also increase your sensitivity to sunlight. Taking celery along with medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight could increase the chances of sunburn, blistering, or rashes on areas of skin exposed to sunlight. Be sure to wear sunblock and protective clothing when spending time in the sun.<br/><br/> Some drugs that cause photosensitivity include amitriptyline (Elavil), Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), norfloxacin (Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), ofloxacin (Floxin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), gatifloxacin (Tequin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Septra), tetracycline, methoxsalen (8-methoxypsoralen, 8-MOP, Oxsoralen), and Trioxsalen (Trisoralen).

  • Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with CELERY

    Celery might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking celery along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.<br/><br/> Some sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and others.

Dosing

Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS

BY MOUTH:

  • For menstrual discomfort: 500 mg of a specific combination product containing saffron, celery seed, and anise extracts taken three times a day for the first three days of menstruation has been used.
APPLIED TO THE SKIN:
  • Applying a gel containing 5% to 25% celery extract to the skin, or applying a specific product containing celery extract 5%, along with vanillin, eucalyptus oil, orange oil, and citronella oil, has been used.

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View References

REFERENCES:

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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