SmartEngageTM

Celery seed

Celery seed has been used as medicine for thousands of years in the Eastern world. During ancient times, Indian Ayurvedic medicine used celery seed to treat colds, flu, water retention, poor digestion, different types of arthritis, and certain diseases of the liver and spleen.

Today, celery seed is used mostly as a diuretic, meaning it helps your body eliminate water by increasing urine output. Celery seed is also used for:

There are no human scientific studies that show whether celery seed helps treat these conditions or any others. Studies do show that celery seed acts as a mosquito repellent.

A few animal studies suggest that celery seed extracts may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as protect the liver from damaging substances such as high doses of the pain reliever acetaminophen (Tylenol). But again, researchers do not know whether those effects apply to humans.

Researchers have found that people who eat a diet rich in lutein, found in celery, spinach, broccoli, lettuce, tomatoes, oranges, carrots, and greens, were less likely to develop colorectal cancer. However, celery was just one part of their diet. So it could be celery, another food, or some combination of foods that lowered their risk of cancer.

I Would Like to Learn About:

Related Information

Herbs with Similar Side Effects

View List by Side Effect

Herbs with Similar Uses

View List by Use

Herbs with Similar Warnings

View List by Warning

Uses of this Herb

Anxiety Colorectal cancer Common cold Gout Hypercholesterolemia High blood pressure Influenza Urinary tract infection in women

Learn More About

Herbal medicine

Review Date: 6/22/2015  

Reviewed By: Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD, Solutions Acupuncture, a private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2024 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.