Everything You Need to Know About

Celery Seed (Apium graveolens)

Botanical family: Apiaceae
Parts used: Seeds
Celery Seed (Apium graveolens)
by Hannah Lewis
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Overview and Health Benefits

Celery seed (Apium graveolens) is used in herbal medicine to support urinary health, alleviate joint pain, improve digestion, and promote cardiovascular health. Although other parts of the plant are beneficial too, the seed is particularly important. It contains various active compounds, including 3-n-butylphthalide (3nB), apiol, luteolin-glycosides and flavones which contribute to its medicinal effects. For example, 3nB is known for its vasodilatory and hypotensive effects (improving circulation and lowering blood pressure respectively), as well as for its lipid-lowering properties (Tsi & Tan, 1997; Lv et al., 2022). Apiol is used for its diuretic and urinary antiseptic properties (Wang et al., 2022; Sarshar et al., 2018). Luteolin-glycosides and flavones possess strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes (Jayawickreme et al., 2024; Zhang et al., 2023). 

Key Benefits of Celery Seed:

  • Urinary health
  • Joint pain and anti-inflammatory effects
  • Digestive health
  • Blood pressure regulation
  • Antioxidant and liver protection
  • Menstrual comfort

Featured Products Containing Celery Seed (Apium graveolens)

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Key Body Systems Celery Seed (Apium graveolens) relates to

Celery Seed (Apium graveolens)
Musculoskeletal System
Celery Seed (Apium graveolens)
Urinary system
Celery Seed (Apium graveolens)
Respiratory system
Celery Seed (Apium graveolens)
Digestive System
Celery Seed (Apium graveolens)
Endocrine and or Reproductive System

Energetics

Celery Seed (Apium graveolens)
Cooling
Celery Seed (Apium graveolens)
Moistening

Key actions

  • Diuretic
  • Antirheumatic
  • Antispasmodic
  • Carminative
  • Nervine
Celery Seed (Apium graveolens)

Key uses

Arthritis; Gout; Menstrual cramps; Digestive issues; Lactation aid

Where to Find Celery Seed (Apium graveolens)

Celery Seed (Apium graveolens)

Celery is a biennial plant with slender, ribbed stalks and finely divided leaves. It features white to greenish-white flowers in umbrella-shaped clusters called umbels. 

Celery seeds are small, oval-shaped, and light brown to greyish-brown in colour. Each seed is about 1 to 2 millimetres in length with distinct ridges running along its surface. They possess a warm, slightly bitter flavour and an aromatic scent, reminiscent of celery stalks. These seeds are typically harvested from the plant after the flowers have matured and dried. 

While most people are familiar with the vegetable's stalks or the root (celeriac), it is these tiny seeds that are prized in traditional and modern herbal medicine for their potent therapeutic properties.

Celery typically grows in regions with temperate climates, favouring cool weather and thriving in moist, fertile soils rich in organic matter. Originally native to the Mediterranean basin, it has been cultivated globally, particularly in Europe, Asia, and North America. In these regions, celery can often be found growing wild in marshlands and other areas with high moisture content.

 

References

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Ballmer-Weber, B. K., Vieths, S., Lüttkopf, D., Heuschmann, P., & Wüthrich, B. (2000). Celery allergy confirmed by double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge: A clinical study in 32 subjects with a history of adverse reactions to celery root. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 106(2), 373-378. https://doi.org/10.1067/mai.2000.107196

Chakraborty, A., Ferk, F., Simic, T., Brantner, A., Dusinska, M., Kundi, M., ... & Knasmüller, S. (2018). DNA-protective effects of celery juice in human volunteers: results of a clinical study and mechanistic investigations in vitro. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 62(3), 1700401. https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201700401

Chevallier, A. (1996). The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley.

Grosu, C., Jîjie, A. R., Manea, H. C., Moacă, E. A., Iftode, A., Minda, D., Chioibaş, R., Dehelean, C. A., & Vlad, C. S. (2024). New insights concerning phytophotodermatitis induced by phototoxic plants. Life, 14(8), 1019. https://doi.org/10.3390/life14081019 

Jayawickreme, D. K., Ekwosi, C., Anand, A., Andres-Mach, M., Wlaź, P., & Socała, K. (2024). Luteolin for neurodegenerative diseases: a review. Pharmacological Reports, 76, 644–664. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43440-024-00610-8 

Le, Q. T., & Elliott, W. J. (1991). Hypotensive and hypocholesterolemic effects of celery oil may be due to BuPh. Clinical Research, 39, 173A. https://eurekamag.com/research/031/762/031762070.php 

Li, S., Li, L., Yan, H., Jiang, X., Hu, W., Han, N., & Wang, D. (2019). Anti-gouty arthritis and anti-hyperuricemia properties of celery seed extracts in rodent models. Molecular Medicine Reports, 20(5), 4623-4633. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2019.10708

Lv, J., Zhao, D., Zhao, G., & Xie, Z. (2022). Efficacy and safety of butylphthalide in secondary prevention of stroke: study protocol for a multicenter, real world trial based on Internet. BMC Neurology, 22, 305. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-022-02815-x 

McIntyre, A. (2019). The complete herbal tutor: The definitive guide to the principles and practices of herbal medicine. Aeon.

Momin, R. A., & Nair, M. G. (2002). Antioxidant, cyclooxygenase and topoisomerase inhibitory compounds from Apium graveolens Linn. seeds. Phytomedicine, 9(4), 312-318. https://doi.org/10.1078/0944-7113-00131

Naushad, M., Urooj, M., Ahmad, T., Husain, G. M., Kazmi, M. H., & Zakir, M. (2021). Nephroprotective effect of Apium graveolens L. against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 12(4), 607-615. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2021.06.005

Powanda, M. C., & Rainsford, K. D. (2011). A toxicological investigation of a celery seed extract having anti-inflammatory activity. Inflammopharmacology, 19, 227-233. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-010-0049-1 

Sarshar, S., Sendker, J., Qin, X., Goycoolea, F. M., Asadi Karam, M. R., Habibi, M., Bouzari, S., Dobrindt, U., & Hensel, A. (2018). Antiadhesive hydroalcoholic extract from Apium graveolens fruits prevents bladder and kidney infection against uropathogenic E. coli. Fitoterapia, 127, 237-244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2018.02.029

Shayani Rad, M., Moohebati, M., MohammadEbrahimi, S., Motamedshariaty, V. S., & Mohajeri, S. A. (2022). Safety evaluation and biochemical efficacy of celery seed extract (Apium graveolens) capsules in hypertensive patients: A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over, clinical trial. Inflammopharmacology, 30(5), 1669-1684. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-022-00986-0

Shtratnikova, V. Y. (2023). Furanocoumarins: History of Research, Diversity, Synthesis, Physiological Role in the Plant, and Medical Application. Russian Journal of Plant Physiology, 70, 169. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1021443723700280 

Singh, A., & Handa, S. S. (1995). Hepatoprotective activity of Apium graveolens and Hygrophila auriculata against paracetamol and thioacetamide intoxication in rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 49(3), 119-126. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(95)01291-5

Soundararajan, S., & Daunter, B. (1991). Ajvine: Pilot biomedical study for pain relief in rheumatic pain. School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Sowbhagya, H. B. (2014). Chemistry, Technology, and Nutraceutical Functions of Celery (Apium graveolens L.) An Overview. Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr., 54, 389-398. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2011.586740 

Stiani, S. N., Syahidah, F. M., Fikriani, H., Subarnas, A., & Rusdiana, T. (2019). Anticalculi activity of apigenin and celery (Apium graveolens L.) extract in rats induced by ethylene glycol-ammonium chloride. Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences, 11(Suppl 4), S556-S561. https://doi.org/10.4103/jpbs.JPBS_202_19 

Tan, T. Y. C., Lim, X. Y., Norahmad, N. A., Kumar, H. C., Teh, B. P., Lai, N. M., & Mohamed, A. F. S. (2023). Neurological applications of celery (Apium graveolens): A scoping review. Molecules, 28(15), 5824. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28155824

Tsi, D., & Tan, B. K. H. (1997). Cardiovascular pharmacology of 3-n-butylphthalide in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Phytotherapy Research, 11(7), 576-582. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199712)11:8<576::AID-PTR174>3.0.CO;2-7 

Verma, T., Sinha, M., Bansal, N., Yadav, S. R., Shah, K., & Chauhan, N. S. (2021). Plants used as antihypertensive. Natural Products and Bioprospecting, 11(2), 155-184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13659-020-00281-x

Wang, X. J., Luo, Q., Li, T., Meng, P. H., Pu, Y. T., Liu, J. X., Zhang, J., Liu, H., Tan, G. F., & Xiong, A. S. (2022). Origin, evolution, breeding, and omics of Apiaceae: a family of vegetables and medicinal plants. Horticulture Research, 9, uhac076. https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhac076 

Zhang, W., Li, D., Shan, Y., Tao, Y., Chen, Q., Hu, T., Gao, M., Chen, Z., Jiang, H., Du, C., Wang, M., & Guo, K. (2023). Luteolin intake is negatively associated with all-cause and cardiac mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome, 15, 59. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-023-01026-9