During the reign of Catherine II the Great, an amazing vegetable called celery first came to Russia. For quite some time, it was considered an exclusively ornamental plant and was only occasionally used for medicinal purposes. Then, numerous studies were conducted to find out if celery root is edible. The benefits and harms of it, as well as the rest of the mentioned plants were thoroughly studied. It turned out that this vegetable is completely suitable for food: the roots, stems, leaves, and petioles turned out to be edible.
For a long time, many generations worked on the development of new species of the mentioned plant. The result of their labors was petiole and leaf varieties.
general description
Celery is a two-year-old cold-resistant plant of the Umbrella family, numbering about twenty species.
To date, this vegetable is cultivated everywhere. The most popular are its species such as leaf, petiole and root. The latter type was especially enjoyed by the housewives and gourmets. The thing is that it forms a fleshy, well-developed root crop. But such luxurious varieties we can only see on the pages of publications devoted to gardening and the garden, because such "handsome" people do not grow in our area. The largest root crop reaches the size of a male fist.
Celery root has a very aromatic and delicate pulp. There are simply no alternative vegetables in nature. The plant owes such enviable characteristics to the exceptional substances that make up its composition. From time to time, celery is even put on a par with ginseng with medicinal properties.
Celery to normalize weight
One of the most exciting topics of modern man is, perhaps, the desire to lose weight. And in this regard, celery root is immensely useful. The benefits and harms of it are well known to nutritionists. With regular intake of the aforementioned vegetable (along with food), extra pounds are cleaned easily and efficiently, without exerting a negative effect on the body.
And nerves correct ...
Celery has a positive effect on our nervous system. The so-called stress hormone is present in human blood. The substances that make up the plant in question pacify and soothe us. This is due to a substantial decrease in the content of the said hormone in the blood. Therefore, instead of resorting to the use of sedatives, you can just eat a little magic vegetable or drink the juice obtained from it.
And sugar will lower ...
It would not hurt to recall the wonderful celery plant for diabetes. Its roots contain substances similar in their properties to insulin. Therefore, this vegetable is able to activate the functions of the adrenal glands, which is extremely important for diabetics.
Root for general health improvement
The success of treating various diseases using celery is explained by its high magnesium content. Indeed, the lack of this substance in the body leads to frequent bouts of unexplained anxiety, fear, irritability, irritability, cramps at night, as well as the appearance of signs of atherosclerosis. Due to the fact that celery root (the photos presented in the article will help to get an idea about this vegetable) is rich in iron, its use also improves water-salt metabolism. In addition, this product is also used as a prevention of premature aging.
The beneficial properties of celery root, which contains biologically active substances, are excellent helpers in the fight against atherosclerosis, because they significantly reduce blood cholesterol. Also, the use of a vegetable helps to lower blood pressure, which is extremely important for a disease such as arterial hypertension. Celery root, raw and fresh, improves the functioning of the heart muscle.
With this product, you can easily cope with such digestive ailments as flatulence and constipation. Celery promotes the rapid healing of ulcerative wounds in the stomach, and also serves as the basis for numerous diets prescribed for colitis or gastritis.
This root crop will decisively replace almost the entire contents of a home medicine cabinet, because it is characterized by wound healing, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antiseptic and diuretic effects. Note that this vegetable is especially recommended for men suffering from sluggish potency. It also helps women to say goodbye to the problems of the genitourinary system. Among other things, celery root strengthens nails and teeth, gives shine to hair, and facial skin - freshness and elasticity.
Precautionary measures
Celery root , the benefits and harms of which should be taken into account when using it, has some contraindications. The negative effects of vegetables on the body for pregnant women (after the sixth month in particular) and nursing mothers have been known for a very long time. Studies have shown that a green plant causes abundant gas production. This has a negative effect on the fetus and the condition of an already born child who eats mother’s milk.
Surprisingly, the harm of the vegetable is also manifested in its negative effect on the brain of a person suffering from epilepsy. Refrain from over-eating the celery root is recommended for those who suffer from varicose veins, thrombophlebitis and hyperacid conditions. In addition, people with urolithiasis should be limited in the use of this plant, since it causes an active movement of kidney stones, and this is an indisputable fact. Regular ingestion of the mentioned root led to the need for surgical intervention. But for a healthy body, such a negative effect is not significant. However, in everything you need to comply with the measure.
Based on the foregoing, we can conclude that celery root, the benefits and harms of which are undeniable, should be eaten rationally. If in doubt whether you can eat this healthy vegetable, consult with specialists.
Methods for preparing tinctures and juices from vegetables
Let us consider in more detail what can be prepared from such a part of the plant as the root. Celery, the recipes for which are quite simple, can safely enter the daily diet of a healthy person, but you should not forget about the rationality of using this vegetable.
Of course, juice from fresh roots is the most beneficial and effective. Celery, stored relatively briefly (until mid-February), is also suitable. In this case, it is recommended to use one tablespoon three times a day half an hour before a meal.
Powder is also made from celery roots, but it should be noted that with this method of processing, a significant part of the healing properties of essential oils disappears.
However, if all the storage conditions of this part of the green vegetable cannot be met, it can be crushed into large fractions (from five to ten millimeters in size) and dried in the fall. In winter, just before use, you can prepare a powder, from which then an infusion is made.
Celery root extract is used in the same way as juice, only the intake rate in this case increases three times. It is prepared as follows: 2 teaspoons of the powder are brewed with one glass of boiling water, after which they are insisted for ten minutes.
You should also pay close attention to the use of celery roots for the prevention of joint diseases and the treatment of gout. To do this, one tablespoon of crushed raw material is poured with two glasses of boiling water. Next, the drink is infused for a couple of hours in a tightly closed vessel.
How to eat celery root
Almost everyone faced this problem. How to eat celery root in order to preserve all its beneficial properties? The vegetable should be eaten fresh. This method is the most advantageous. Wash, dry, clean. You can just gnaw the spine, or you can add it to all kinds of salads (rub or finely chop). This vegetable goes well with spicy herbs.
The perfect solution is to add celery root, apple and carrots to the salad. In addition, a delicious plant perfectly emphasizes the taste of fish, mushroom and meat dishes, as well as seafood treats. Celery root can be baked if desired. Often this vegetable is used as a spicy seasoning. For its manufacture, all components are suitable: roots, stems, seeds and leaves. Sometimes seasoning from such a plant has a slightly bitter taste.
Celery: how to choose
When choosing root celery, first of all, you should evaluate the integrity of the fetus and its hardness. The smaller the vegetable, the softer it will be. But useful properties are equally possessed by both small and large fruits. Therefore, here the size does not play a special role.
Celery Root - How to Store
This vegetable, as a rule, does not have a long shelf life. Therefore, when buying, you should pay attention to its freshness, so that it stays with you for three to seven days in a similar condition. If you are purchasing an overripe vegetable, remember to use it as soon as possible.
When storing celery, basic rules must be observed. The vegetable should be kept in the refrigerator, pre-packed in a plastic bag and put in any container with water. You can extend the shelf life a little if you wrap the vegetable not in polyethylene but in foil.
If you do not plan to save the root for a long time, you should pack it in a paper bag before placing it in the refrigerator.