Overview
Some people use celery on the skin to repel mosquitos. People also take celery by mouth for prediabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, as a "water pill," and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
How does it work ?
Uses & Effectiveness ?
Possibly Effective for
- 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
- Prediabetes. Early research shows that taking celery extract might lower blood sugar levels in elderly people with prediabetes.
- Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea).
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- Gout.
- Nervousness.
- Headache.
- Appetite stimulation.
- Exhaustion.
- Fluid retention.
- Regulating bowel movements.
- Use as a sleeping sedative.
- Gas.
- Stimulating menstruation.
- Breast milk reduction.
- Aiding digestion.
- Infections of the kidney, bladder, or urethra (urinary tract infections or UTIs).
- Other conditions.
Side Effects
When applied to the skin: Celery is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when applied to the skin in the amounts found in medicine for a short period of time. However, some people are allergic to celery. Allergic reactions can range from skin rashes to anaphylaxis. Celery can also cause sensitivity to the sun.
Special Precautions and Warnings
Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use celery when 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 disorders: 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 ?
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.
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.
Some sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and others.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.
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.
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
Dosing
ADULTS
APPLIED TO THE SKIN:
- For mosquito repellent effects: 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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