Celery Seeds Benefits Remedies Origin Nutritive Value Medicinal Virtues Uses Ajwain Beej

CELERY SEEDS (Ajwain Beej)

Description:

The celery (Apium graveolens) is an important salad plant which grows upto a height of 60 to 180 cm. It consist of the bulbous roots, conspicuously joint stems and well developed green leaves, which emanate directly from the fleshy roots. The leaves are compound, with long stalk, which are big and succulent. The fruits are small in size, dark brown in colour and emanate a peculiar flavor when cut open. The seeds are brown in colour.

In India the leaves are not so popular, but the root and the seeds are commonly used in Unani and Ayurvedic medicine. The seeds are exported to European countries as condiments. It is mostly grown in kitchen or home gardens as a salad crop.

Origin and Distribution:

Celery is a native of Europe and Asia. It was known to Chinese in the fifth century. The Chinese plants are, however, of Asiatic origin, while those cultivated in Europe and America are derived from European plants.

In early days celery was not cultivated but it’s leaves were collected for medicinal purpose. In England, where it grows wild, it was known as smallage and used in medicines. In the 16^th and 17^th centuries, it was brought into gardens and grown first as a medicinal plant later as a flavouring for soups and stews. It is now grown widely in temperate regions and in the mountains of the tropics.

In India, large areas in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh are utilized for the cultivation of celery for the production of the seed. It grows best when the weather is relatively cool, with a well distributed moderate rainfall during the season. Elevation of over 3,000 ft are most suitable for its satisfactory growth.

Natritive Value/Composition:

An analysis of celery seeds shows them to consist of moisture 5.1 per cent, protein 18.1 per cent, fat 22.8 per cent crude fibre 2.9 per cent, carbohydrates 40.9 per cent and total ash 10.2 per cent per 100 gms. Their mineral and vitamin contents are calcium 1.8 per cent, phosphorus 0.55 per cent, iron 0.45 per cent, sodium 0.17 per cent, potassium 1.4 per cent, thiamine 0.41 mg. per cent, riboflavin 0.49 mg. per cent, niacin 4.4 mg. per cent, vitamin C 17.2 mg. per cent and vitamin A 650 International units per 100 gms. Their calorific value is 450.

The celery leaves are the best sources of mineral salts and vitamins. An analysis of celery leaves shows them to consist of moisture 88.0 per cent, protein 6.3 per cent, fats 0.6 per cent and carbohydrates 1.6 per cent per 100 gms. Their mineral and vitamin contents are calcium 230 mg. per cent phosphorus 140 mg. Per cent, iron 6.3 mg. per cent, niacin 1.2 mg. per cent and vitamin C 62 mg. per cent. Their calorific value is 37.

The celery fuirts yield 2-3 per cent of a pale yellow volatile oil with a persistent odour, characteristic of the plant. In trade, this is known as celery seeds oil and is much valued both as a fixative and as an ingredient of perfumes. The principle constituents of this oil are d-limonene 60 per cent, d-selinene 10 per cent, sedanonic acid anhydride 0.5 per cent and sedanolide 2.5-3 per cent. The last two constituents are responsible for the aroma of the oil.

Medicinal Virtues:

The world celery is derived from the Latin, celery which means quick acting, and presumably refers to its therapeutic properties The seeds, green leaves and stem are all extremely rich in active ingredient that make celery a very important medicinal plant. It has a well-balanced content of the basic minerals, vitamins and other nutrients, in addition, it has important concentration of plant hormones and the essential oils that gives celery its strong and characteristic smell. Besides having specific effect on the regulation of the nervous system, it also has a calming influence.

The seeds of celery relieve flatulence, increase the secretion and discharge of urine and promote sexual desire. They are tonic, laxative and stimulant. They are useful in counteracting spasmodic disorders and in promoting aboution. Recent discoveries by scientists reveal that celery seeds may afford protection against cancer, high blood pressure and height cholesterol.

Rheumatism and Gout : The alkaline elements in the celery greatly outweight acidic elements. It is therefore effective in diseases resulting from acidity and toxemia. It is specially helpful in rheumatism and gout. A extract of the seeds should be used to treat these conditions.

Cancer : In a study for the Natinal Institute, Luk Lam, Ph.D., and his colleagues at LKT Laboratories in St. Paul, Minnesota, have been analyzing the chemical constituents of celery seeds oil and their effect on living beings. They isolated five compound of interest and the compound senanolide was found to be most active. This and related compound butyl phthalide reduce the incidence of tumors in laboratory animals anywhere from 38 per cent toper cent. The use of celery seeds can thus help prevent cancer.

High-Blood Pressure : According to William J. Elliott, a pharmacologist at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker school of Medicine, celery has been used as a folk remedy, from 200 B.C, to lower blood pressure. He recently isolated a blood-pressurerducing drug in celery. This chemical is, known as 3-n-butyl phthalide, found in celery seed oil which gives aroma to the celery. Dr. Elliott says celery may be unique, because “ the active blood-pressure lowering compound is found in rather high concentrations in celery”. The person suffering from this disease should take to four stalks.

As an alternative, the patient may take a tea made from the celery seeds. This tea is prepared by pouring boiling water over one teaspoon of freshly crushed seeds. The seeds may be allowed to steep for 10 to 20 minutes before drinking.

Nervous Afflications : Celery seeds are highly beneficial in the treatment of nervous afflictions resulting from degeneration of the sheathing of the nerves. They help to restore these to their normal conditions and thus alleviate the affliction. A tea made from the seeds may be used to treat these conditions in the same manner as for high blood pressure.

Respiratory System Disorders : Celery seeds are known to have anti-spasmodic properties. They are thus useful in the treatment to asthma, bronchitis, pleurisy and tuberculosis of lungs. For better results, a teaspoon of the seeds should be soaked in a cup of fenugreek seeds decoction and taken mixed with a tablespoon of honey every night. This treatment should be continued for a month.

Indigestion: The seeds of celery are useful in indigestion. A teaspoon of the seeds soaked in a glass of buttermilk for five to six hours should be grounded in the same buttermilk and given as medicine to treat this conditions.

Weakness and Malnutrition : The powder of the dry root of the herb is a valuable tonic in general weakness and malnutrition. One teaspoon of this powder mixed a tablespoon of honey should be taken twice daily in the treatment of these conditions. It restores the normal functioning of the disorderd system.

Insomnia : Clery leaves are useful in sleeplessness. The juice of the leaves, mixed with a tablespoon of honey, should be taken at night before retiring. It will help one to relax and sleep.

Uses:

Celery seeds are used as spice. They are used for flavoring soups, stews and salas dressings. The seed oil one of the most valuable flavouring agents as it imports a warm, aromatic and pleasing flavor to food products. It is employed for flavouring different kinds of foods like canned soups, meats, sausages and particularly in the flavouring of the popular celery salts, celery tonic and culinary sauces,. Celery leaves can be eaten either raw in salads form with other vegetables or in cooked form. Soup and juice can also perpeared from them