Celery has been cultivated and used at first as a medicinal plant and only later as food. Also known by the ancient Greeks and mentioned in Homer's Iliad where Achilles used it to treat his horses, celery has diuretic properties, it stimulates appetite and is helpful for all problems related to the stomach such as gastritis or sour stomach. Then, thanks to minerals and vitamins celery is also a good tonic in case of convalescence and has a calming effect on the nervous system. Celery is constituted for the most part by water (90%), it brings mineral salts such as sodium, and this feature makes it important to flavor soups in place of common salt, potassium, that helps to control blood pressure , phosphorus, magnesium, copper, zinc. Celery is also a source of vitamins such as vitamin A, B group, C, D, E and K, and important antioxidants such as beta-carotene and luteolin, the latter has a protective action for the brain as reported by a study performed by a group of researchers from the university of Illinois and published on the important scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Thanks to the diuretic effect celery is useful in case of joint problems, gout and renal diseases. You can eat celery as a vegetable, cooked or raw, for example by adding it to salads, or as a basis for infusions and decoctions.
Brew
For issues related to the stomach prepare an infusion of celery leaves: bring to boil a liter of water, then remove from heat and put to brew a big handful of fresh leaves for about ten minutes, filter and drink a cup after meals.
Decoction
As a stimulant and tonic bring to a boil a spoonful of celery root in a liter of water for five minutes, filter and drink.
Anti dandruff
As reported by the famous French herbalist Messegué the cooking water of celery, once warmed, can be used as anti-dandruff lotion. Apply it to wet hair at the end of the wash.
