Celery seed tea is usually made from crushed celery seeds steeped in boiling water. Celery seed tea is most often used for its diuretic effects, but it may offer other health benefits. You could drink celery seed tea to help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as help reduce arthritis or gout-related inflammation. Before you take celery seed tea, talk with your doctor about the right dosage and possible drug interactions.
History
Celery seed has been a medicinal remedy for thousands of years, primarily used to treat arthritis, colds and flu, edema and digestive problems, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. In Ayurvedic medicine based in India, celery seed was also used to treat spleen and liver diseases. Celery seed's historical medicinal uses typically centered around its diuretic properties. The remedy also had historical uses as an antispasmodic, laxative, sedative, aphrodisiac and tonic, notes Vitamins-supplements.org.
Function
Celery seed appears to have diuretic actions that induce the excretion of excess fluids from your body through the urine, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Celery seed also appears to have anti-inflammatory actions, as well as functions that may prevent muscle spasms, nervousness and liver damage. Celery seeds contain lutein, a substance that has the potential to prevent cancer and tumor growth. Fiber, flavonoids, coumarins, linoleic acid and certain essential oils are also contained in celery seed, according to Vitamins-supplements.org. No conclusive medical evidence supports the use of celery seed for any medicinal purpose, however.
Benefits
Celery seed's various constituents may help to treat arthritis, gout, nervous exhaustion, cystitis and urethritis, says Vitamins-supplements.org. Celery seed's diuretic actions may help treat edema or fluid retention and its other properties may have some potential in treating high blood pressure. Additionally, celery seed could help to lower your cholesterol levels and protect your liver from toxins like acetaminophen, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Don't take celery seed to prevent or treat any medical condition before talking with your doctor.
Dosage
The typical recommendation for making celery seed tea is steeping 1 to 3 g or 1 tsp. of crushed celery seeds in 1 cup of boiling water for about 15 minutes, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. You can drink up to 3 cups of celery seed tea daily. Celery seed remedies also come in the form of oil tablets or capsules and extracts. Ask your physician about the dosage that's right for you before taking a celery seed remedy or tea.
Warning
Celery seeds contain a substance called bergapten, which can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and ultraviolet rays, warns Vitamins-supplements.org. Also, celery seed can worsen kidney inflammation and cause uterine contractions or bleeding in pregnant women. If you take certain medications, taking celery seed remedies may cause potentially dangerous interactions. Celery seed's diuretic effects can increase the concentrations of lithium in your body, cautions the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Also, celery seed contains coumarin, which can increase the effects of blood-thinners like Coumadin and cause bleeding, says the University of Michigan Health System.
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