Did you know celery seed isn’t actually from the plant we’re accustomed to chopping and adding to soups and salads? Celery seed is the tiniest spice in the world (one pound’s worth is 750,000 seeds) but packs a big punch in both flavor and healing properties. Following Hanna’s recommendation to look into your spice rack for remedies, I checked out Healing Spices by Bharat B. Aggrawal and have been learning some pretty interesting things about my seldom used spices. Take a look at how this pickling spice can actually prevent, treat, and heal a range of conditions!

Celery seed comes from a plant known as wild celery that grows in salt marshes and river estuaries in Europe and India and is so bitter that it’s inedible. The seeds however are not inedible and are actually a tiny powerhouse of delicious healing! Celery seed may help prevent or treat:

• Arthritis, both osteo- and rheumatoid-Relief can be attained by ingesting celery seed because of the nearly 24 anti-inflammatory compounds found within. Find more relief with these arthritis remedies.
• Cholesterol Problems (high total cholesterol, high “bad” LDL cholesterol)-Anti-inflammatory compounds aren’t only beneficial for arthritis! Even accumulation of cholesterol in the system can benefit from celery seed.
• Gout- Several compounds within celery seed counteract the cellular enzymes that trigger
  

  Wild celery with celery seed.

  inflammation, redness, swelling, and pain (of both chronic and acute gout). Many participants in a study noted the benefits of celery seed to rival and even surpass prescription medications aimed at treating the condition.
• High Blood Pressure (hypertension) and Stroke-Animal studies have found that celery seed extract can significantly decrease total cholesterol, bad “LDL” cholesterol, and triglycerides (another blood fat that negatively impacts the heart). The extract has also lowered high blood pressure in laboratory animals.
• Liver Disease-Damage to the liver caused by toxins can be treated and prevented with celery seed and current research shows a promise in treating liver cancer with the extract. Find herbs and foods that support liver health in this post.
• Menstrual Cramps-A study of 180 women with painful menstrual cramps revealed the same level of relief for participants who took an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory compared with those who took an herbal remedy containing celery seed extract (along with extracts of saffron and anise).
• Mosquito Bites-A topical repellent made with celery seed is a popular choice in Thailand, providing protection for several hours. Want to make your own insect repellent? Check out our DIY post here!
• Ulcer—Researchers in England found an extract of celery seed that could kill H. pylori, the stomach bacteria that causes ulcers.
• Vaginal Yeast Infections –Test tube studies show that celery seed can stop the growth of several types of fungus, including those that cause vaginal yeast infections. Check out Hanna’s yeast infection remedies.

To add more celery seed to your diet, consider incorporating them to recipes containing tomato (in drink or food), as an addition to meat dishes, or in salad dressings. The seeds are bitter when raw but you can slightly mellow the flavor by dry-toasting them, just be careful not to burn. Toasted celery seeds pair well with eggs and make an excellent addition to soups and broths. You should be able to find celery seed at your local market on the spice aisle but if not, celery salt is an acceptable replacement for some recipes.