# Celery: Benefits, Uses and Precautions

> Learn about celery's nutrients, effects on digestion and kidneys, juice recipes, harvesting methods, and important precautions for safe use.

- URL: https://celitel.online/en/blog/selderey-oteki/
- Author: Dr. Boris Wydoff — https://celitel.online/en/about/
- Published: 2026-10-28
- Language: en

Celery (*Apium graveolens*) is a flavorful vegetable that has long been used not only in cooking but also in traditional medicine. Its leaves, stalks, and roots contain vitamins, mineral salts, and aromatic compounds. According to herbal medicine references, celery has diuretic properties and supports digestion, metabolic processes, and nervous system function. However, using it for medicinal purposes requires reasonable caution.

## What Is Celery and How Can You Recognize It?

Almost everyone is familiar with celery. We add it to salads, soups, vegetable dishes, and fresh juices. But not everyone knows that this plant has a centuries-long history of medicinal use.

Celery, also known as garden celery, belongs to the Apiaceae family. It is a biennial plant. In its first year, it forms a rosette of leaves; in the second, it produces a flowering stem. The leaf rosette usually reaches 30–50 cm in height. The flowering stem can grow up to 100 cm. The leaves are large, divided, and attached to long stalks. They are glossy on top and dull underneath. The stem is upright, grooved, and highly branched.

The flowers are small, white or yellowish, and arranged in small umbels. Flowering takes place in June and July. In August, small, dark brown fruits up to 2 mm in diameter ripen.

Three varieties are cultivated:

- **Root celery.** Produces a large, fleshy root up to 10 cm in diameter.
- **Stalk celery.** Has long, thick, juicy stalks.
- **Leaf celery.** Produces abundant, tender, aromatic greens.

Wild celery originated in the Mediterranean region. It can be found along coastlines and on shallows. In Europe, celery began to be cultivated widely in the 16th century, first in Italy and then in France and England. But the plant's history goes back much further. The Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans knew celery. Images of it even appeared on ancient Greek coins from the 5th century BCE. In ancient Greece, winners of athletic competitions received celery wreaths. Its leaves were also used to decorate homes and temples.

The plant was regarded as a food, a medicine, and a sacred herb.

## What Are the Benefits of Celery?

When people ask me about the benefits of celery, I first draw their attention to its nutritional value. Reference books describe several traditional uses for this plant. However, it is important to distinguish between properties reported in herbal literature and proven treatments for diseases.

### What Nutrients Does Celery Contain?

Celery leaves and stalks contain:

- potassium and magnesium;
- iron;
- pectin substances;
- essential oils and phytoncides;
- carotene;
- vitamins C, B1, B2, and PP;
- folic acid.

The roots also contain essential oil, asparagine, and potassium, calcium, and phosphorus salts. It is interesting to compare the different varieties of this plant.

According to T. B. Fursa's reference book, leaf and stalk celery contain four times more vitamin C and 50 times more carotene than root celery.

That is why the leaves and stalks deserve particular attention in everyday nutrition. Iron and folic acid play a role in blood formation. Potassium and magnesium are important for the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Herbalists associate many of celery's traditional benefits with this nutritional composition.

### How Does Celery Affect Digestion?

In historical medical texts, celery was mentioned as a plant that could support the stomach and intestines. Avicenna called it Roman parsley. He noted its use for bloating, digestive problems, and diseases of the urinary tract. Herbal references described the seeds as a remedy that could aid digestion and reduce gas. Modern herbal medicine references also mention the plant's mild laxative effect. Traditionally, celery was used to improve appetite and support bowel function.

However, eating celery as a vegetable and using concentrated medicinal preparations are two different things.

### Can You Eat Celery If You Have Gastritis?

In L. F. Savelyeva's reference book, celery leaves and roots are described as a therapeutic dietary food for gastritis, peptic ulcers, and chronic colitis. This refers to traditional dietary use, not a proven way to treat inflammation of the stomach lining. Books on natural nutrition also include celery in vegetable dishes. However, if you have gastritis, especially during a flare-up, your diet should take your stomach's condition and your gastroenterologist's recommendations into account.

Celery should be considered only as a complement to prescribed treatment. Discuss its use with your doctor, and do not stop taking your medications.

### Can Celery Be Used for Constipation?

Celery has long been used in folk medicine to support digestion. Reference books note its mild laxative effect. T. B. Fursa describes the traditional use of fresh-leaf infusion to improve appetite and digestion and for constipation. The amount given in the herbal reference is **1 tablespoon 3–4 times a day**. This is a historical recommendation, not a universal dosage for self-treatment. If constipation persists, it is important to find out what is causing the bowel problem. Herbal remedies should not replace medical assessment or prescribed treatment.

### What Are the Benefits of Celery for the Kidneys?

One of celery's best-known properties is its diuretic effect. Several herbal medicine references mention it. In folk medicine, celery roots, fruits, and juice were traditionally used for urinary problems.

*The Herbal Handbook for Men*, cited by L. F. Savelyeva, describes the use of fresh juice and root infusions for kidney stones and inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract.

However, a diuretic effect does not mean that the plant can remove stones or treat kidney disease. People with impaired kidney function should be especially cautious. For those with kidney conditions, celery should be considered only as a complement to prescribed treatment. Discuss its use with your doctor, and do not stop taking your medications.

### Celery for Blood Pressure: What Do We Know?

The potassium and magnesium in celery are important for cardiovascular function. Herbal medicine references associate these nutrients with beneficial effects on blood vessels. In my books, I also discuss vegetable juices as a source of minerals. One of the mixtures I describe contains:

- carrots — 210 ml;
- celery — 120 ml;
- parsley — 60 ml;
- spinach — 90 ml.

In the book, this combination is described as a potassium-rich mixture to nourish blood vessels and blood. However, it is not a substitute for medications used to control blood pressure. If you have hypertension or other cardiovascular conditions, discuss medicinal juice mixtures with your doctor. Do not stop or change prescribed medications on your own.

### How Does Celery Support the Nervous System?

Herbal references mention celery for nervous exhaustion, sleep disturbances, neuroses, and asthenic conditions. It has traditionally been credited with a tonic effect. L. F. Savelyeva's reference book also discusses support for physical and mental activity. My books include a vegetable mixture that I consider a source of nutrition for the nervous system:

**Carrots — 300 ml, celery with leaves — 180 ml.**

This combination is described as supportive for insomnia. Another mixture contains carrots, celery, and lettuce. The book presents it as a gentle way to provide the body with minerals. It is important to understand that sleep problems and severe weakness can have many different causes. Vegetable juices do not replace diagnosis or treatment.

### What Is Known About Celery and Men's Health?

In traditional herbal references, celery was considered a plant that supported sexual function. Y. Grau noted its mild stimulating effect in cases of impotence. Other reference books describe the traditional use of the roots, leaves, and fruits for reduced sexual activity. Particular attention was given to root celery. It was eaten on its own, added to salads, and included in hot dishes. However, this information belongs to the history of herbal medicine. It does not prove that celery is effective for erectile dysfunction or infertility.

For such problems, it is important to identify the cause and not replace prescribed treatment with herbal remedies.

## How Can You Use This Plant at Home?

The simplest way to use celery is to include it in your regular diet. Its leaves, stalks, and roots are all used in cooking. Fresh leaves are suitable for salads. The roots make an aromatic seasoning. Stalks can be added to vegetable dishes and side dishes. Celery is also eaten dried, salted, and pickled. In my books, I pay particular attention to fresh vegetable juices. They make it possible to combine celery with other plant foods.

### How Do You Make Celery Juice?

One recipe in my book contains four vegetable ingredients. You will need:

- 2 carrots;
- 1 celery stalk;
- ¼ beet;
- a bunch of parsley.

Pass all the ingredients through a juicer. Drink the resulting juice fresh. In the book, this combination is presented as a source of minerals to support the body. It is a food recipe, not a remedy for treating diseases on your own.

### What Other Juice Mixtures Are Described in My Books?

Here are several combinations featured in my books.

**For gentle mineral support:**

- carrots — 210 ml;
- celery — 150 ml;
- lettuce — 120 ml.

**To nourish the nervous system and support blood composition:**

- carrots — 210 ml;
- celery — 120 ml;
- parsley — 60 ml;
- spinach — 90 ml.

**To support the nervous system when sleep is disturbed:**

- carrots — 300 ml;
- celery with leaves — 180 ml.

These recipes are presented as options for vegetable-based nutrition. The amounts indicate the composition of each mixture. They do not mean that everyone needs to drink this much juice every day. If you have a chronic condition or take medication regularly, discuss the use of these mixtures with your doctor.

### How Do You Brew Celery?

Traditional herbal medicine describes the use of fresh-leaf infusions and root infusions. Leaf infusions were traditionally used to support appetite and digestion. Older herbal references also mention root decoctions used to support male sexual function. However, an infusion, a decoction, and fresh juice are different forms of using the plant. They cannot automatically be substituted for one another or assumed to have the same effects.

This is especially important for concentrated seed preparations. For everyday nutrition, fresh leaves, roots, stalks, and vegetable juices remain the most straightforward options.

## How Should You Harvest and Store Its Fruits?

Harvesting times depend on which part of the plant you need. According to botanical reference books, celery herb is collected during flowering, usually in June and July. The harvested herb is dried in the shade. The fruits are collected as they ripen, which takes place in August. The roots are dug up in September or early October. After harvesting, the roots are left to dry slightly before being placed in boxes of sand for storage.

If you grow celery yourself, it helps to understand its growing cycle. Seeds are sown for seedlings in the first half of February. Seedlings emerge after 15–20 days. They are planted outdoors in the first half of May. For everyday use, fresh leaves and stalks can be kept in the refrigerator. Wash the plant thoroughly before preparing it. Reference books on wild edible plants note that prepared fresh greens can be stored in the refrigerator for several days.

When gathering plants yourself, it is particularly important to identify them correctly. Some members of the Apiaceae family have dangerous look-alikes. Never eat an unfamiliar wild plant simply because its leaves or roots resemble celery.

## How to Find Celery Abroad

In the United States and Europe, celery is sold not only as a vegetable but also as dried plant material and in the form of herbal supplements. When buying it, check which part of the plant is used.

- **United States:** celery; celery seed.
- **Germany:** Sellerie — celery, Selleriesamen — seeds, Selleriewurzel — root, Sellerieblätter — leaves; also Eppich.
- **France:** céleri — celery, graines de céleri — seeds, racine d’ache des marais — wild celery root.
- **Latin name:** *Apium graveolens L.*

Products include dried seeds (fruits), less commonly roots and leaves, herbal tea bags, tinctures, liquid extracts, capsules, and tablets.

**Where to look:**
- In the United States — pharmacies, health food stores, and herbal shops.
- In Germany — pharmacies (Apotheke), Reformhaus health food stores, and tea shops.
- In France — pharmacies (pharmacie), parapharmacies (parapharmacie), and herbal shops (herboristerie).
- In all three countries — online retailers selling herbs and dietary supplements.

**What to check on the package:** the Latin name, the plant part used (semen/fructus — seeds or fruits, radix — root, herba/folium — herb or leaves), expiration date, country of origin, and allergen information. Check whether the product is intended for herbal tea or food use.

Sales regulations differ. In the United States, these products are generally classified as dietary supplements, while in Germany and France their status depends on the labeling and intended use.

## Contraindications and Precautions

Despite its nutritional value, celery is not suitable for everyone. Ordinary culinary amounts of stalks and roots are generally safe for most people. However, concentrated extracts and seed preparations require considerably greater caution.

**Allergy.** Celery is a major food allergen in Europe. Possible reactions include itching in the mouth, skin rashes, hives, dermatitis, and, in rare cases, a severe allergic reaction.

People with allergies to carrots, fennel, anise, coriander, or birch and mugwort pollen should be particularly careful.

**Pregnancy.** Eating celery in ordinary food amounts is generally acceptable. However, medicinal seed preparations are contraindicated because of their possible effects on the uterus.

**Breastfeeding.** There is insufficient reliable information about the safety of medicinal seed preparations. It is advisable to avoid using them.

**Kidney disease.** In acute kidney inflammation, nephritis, and significantly impaired kidney function, concentrated celery preparations may be dangerous because of their diuretic effect.

**Low blood pressure.** Medicinal amounts of celery may lower blood pressure further.

**Blood clotting disorders.** Seed extracts may potentially affect blood clotting. Some recommendations advise stopping medicinal use approximately two weeks before surgery.

Drug interactions also require attention. Caution is necessary when taking anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs, diuretics, lithium, thyroid medications, sedatives, and blood pressure medications. Possible interactions between celery extracts and venlafaxine and other drugs metabolized through CYP2D6 have also been described. Taking celery together with paracetamol may alter how long its effects last. Another consideration is photosensitivity.

Furanocoumarins found in celery may increase the skin's sensitivity to ultraviolet light. This is particularly important when handling the fresh plant, using concentrated preparations, or taking medications that cause photosensitivity.

Other possible adverse effects include increased urination, kidney irritation in susceptible people, and drowsiness when medicinal amounts are used. The safety of concentrated seed preparations in children has not been adequately studied, especially in children under two years of age.

**The key distinction:** celery eaten as an ordinary vegetable and celery used in concentrated medicinal preparations have different safety profiles.

## When Should You See a Doctor?

See a doctor if you develop unusual symptoms after eating celery or suspect an allergic reaction. If you have difficulty breathing or swelling of the tongue or throat, seek emergency medical care. Medical advice is particularly important during pregnancy and breastfeeding and if you have chronic kidney, heart, or digestive conditions. If you take medication regularly, do not begin using concentrated celery preparations for medicinal purposes without consulting a healthcare professional.

Children should receive herbal remedies for medicinal purposes only on a doctor's recommendation. I also want to emphasize that swelling, persistent constipation, urinary problems, and severe weakness require investigation to determine their cause. A plant can be part of your diet, but it should not delay diagnosis.

## What Should You Remember About This Plant?

Celery is much more than an aromatic seasoning. Its leaves and stalks contain vitamins, minerals, and other plant compounds. Herbal medicine references describe celery as a plant with diuretic, mild laxative, and tonic effects. Traditionally, it has been used to support digestion and the urinary and nervous systems. In my books, I consider celery primarily an ingredient in vegetable-based nutrition and fresh juice mixtures.

However, there is a significant difference between a plant's nutritional value and treating a specific disease. The most sensible approach is to use celery as part of a varied diet, take contraindications into account, and not expect a single vegetable to solve complex health problems.

## From the Editorial Team

This article was prepared using herbal medicine references, botanical literature, and books by Dr. Boris Wydoff, taking modern information about celery safety into account. The material is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or prescribed treatment.

## FAQ

**Q: What is celery used for?**
A: In cooking, it is used as a vegetable and seasoning; in folk medicine, it has mainly been used to support digestion and urinary function.

**Q: What are the benefits of celery?**
A: It contains vitamins and minerals; herbal references describe diuretic, mild laxative, and tonic properties.

**Q: How is celery used?**
A: Fresh leaves, stalks, roots, and vegetable juices are used; traditional herbal medicine also uses infusions.

**Q: How should you brew celery?**
A: Herbal references mention leaf and root infusions, but the preparation method and concentration should be checked with a qualified professional.

**Q: What are the contraindications for celery?**
A: The main concern is allergy; particular caution is needed during pregnancy, with kidney disease or blood clotting disorders, and when taking medication.

**Q: Is celery really good for the liver?**
A: The plant has been used in folk medicine for liver conditions, but there is insufficient convincing evidence of a therapeutic effect.

**Q: Can you eat celery if you have diabetes?**
A: Traditional uses are described in reference books, but celery does not replace glucose-lowering treatment; discuss its use with your doctor.

**Q: How does celery help with swelling?**
A: Herbal references describe a diuretic effect, but swelling can have many causes and requires medical assessment.


_Educational content; it does not replace medical advice._