celery seed

Celery seed refers to the dried fruit (commonly called "seeds") of Apium graveolens, a plant in the Apiaceae family. Used for centuries in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Eastern medicine, celery seed is valued for its diverse pharmacological properties. It contains volatile oils (notably phthalides), flavonoids (apigenin), furanocoumarins, fatty acids (linoleic acid), and other bioactive compounds[5][6][8]. Celery seed demonstrates antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, diuretic, carminogen (digestive aid), hypotensive (blood pressure-lowering), hypolipidemic (lipid-lowering), uricosuric (promotes uric acid excretion), analgesic and sedative effects[4][5][6][7]. It has been used to support cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol; manage gout by promoting uric acid elimination; treat digestive complaints like bloating or indigestion; provide hepatoprotection; act as a mild CNS depressant for nervous restlessness; and serve as an adjunct in managing diabetes due to its hypoglycemic effects[3][4][5][6]. Topically it can be used as a mosquito repellent or antimicrobial agent. While generally recognized as safe when consumed in food amounts by the FDA[7], medicinal use is contraindicated during pregnancy due to possible emmenagogue/abortifacient effects[6][7]. Celery seed may interact with several medications including anticoagulants/antiplatelets, antihypertensives, lithium salts, levothyroxine and drugs metabolized via CYP450 enzymes—especially CYP2D6—potentially altering their efficacy or side effect profile[2][7].

Other names

celeryApium graveolenswild celeryajmodaKarafs