Health Tips On Celery Seed

Celery seed is located in the flower of the celery plant, not in the stalk itself. Ayurvedic medical practitioners, who originated in India thousands of years ago, first advocated the health benefits of celery seed. Over the centuries, it has evolved as a natural treatment for the flu, liver disease, indigestion and some forms of arthritis, an inflammatory disease. Health tips on celery seed are largely based on anecdotal evidence. Most formal research has been confined to animal studies. Thus, do not take supplements without first consulting with your physician.

Remove Excess Fluids

You may find celery seed useful as a natural diuretic. Diuretics, water pills, help remove excess fluid and sodium from your blood and filter it to your kidneys, where it is excreted in your urine. The fluid removal allows for less stress placed against your arterial walls and can lower your blood pressure. You may also notice a slight weight loss. If you are already taking a prescription diuretic, such as hydrochlorothiazide, bumetanide or triamterene, be aware that celery seed can magnify the effect of your prescription.

Lower Blood Pressure

If you have hypertension, the compound 3-n-butylpthalide or 3nB, occurs naturally in celery seed and may help relieve your condition. In some studies, the administration of 3nB successfully lowered the blood pressure of hypertensive rats, according to an article published in the May 2005 issue of "Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases." Human studies must be conducted before the association is proven, but it is promising.

Reduce Inflammation

The 3nB in celery seed also acts as an anti-inflammatory, according to the book "Leung's Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients: Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics." In fact, natural healers sometimes use celery seed as a natural remedy for gout, a form of arthritis. In the August 2011 issue of "Inflammopharmacology," researchers detail the results of a study in which rats were fed celery seed extract daily over a period of 28 days. According to the article, a 1,500-mg dose of celery seed extract treated chronic pain and inflammation as effectively as 30 mg of naproxen or 100 mg of ibuprofen, although it took longer for celery seed extract to produce an effect. In a human study, a 1,360-mg dose of celery seed extract reduced pain by up to 50 percent.

Dose and Concerns

You can purchase celery seed whole, crushed or as an oil extract. There is no official recommended dosage, but the University of Maryland Medical Center suggests taking one or two capsules three times daily, or up to 1/2 tsp. of the extract three times daily. Be certain to purchase the seeds from a health food store rather than using the seeds in a seed packet, which may contain chemicals. Do not use celery seed if you are pregnant or have an inflamed kidney. Taking celery seed may make you more sensitive to the sun, so be certain to wear sunscreen.