Celery is a herbaceous biennial, reaching a height of up to 100 cm. It has a straight stem and bright green leaves. In the first year of life, celery forms only a basal rosette.
Tall stems grow only by next spring. In the wild, this cold-resistant plant is found in the southern regions. Cultural forms come from him.
There are three varieties of cultivated plants: celery leaf, root and petiole. In many countries of the world, the plant is used as a seasoning for dishes. Leaf celery has a very branched and powerful root system. The outlet is larger than other species. The leaves are different. They are more tender, petioles are ribbed, fragile, hollow inside.
What is useful celery leaf? The plant contains essential and fatty oils. They give it a specific smell and taste. Leaves and green shoots are richer in vitamins than roots. They are used in the treatment of arthritis and rheumatism. Fresh juice from them is drunk for weight loss and used in the form of lotions for the treatment of external wounds. Tea made from leaves and seeds is especially useful for people with constipation. Celery also effectively removes toxins from the body. Its leaves and roots contain furocoumarins, which have an anti-cancer effect. Strengthening the heart muscle is also well promoted by celery leaf.
Its useful properties, however, are directly dependent on the environmental conditions under which it was grown and harvested. Climate, fertility and soil composition, developmental phase, prevailing vegetation, position under the sun - everything matters.
Celery leaf: contraindications
This plant, like any other, has not only beneficial properties. In some cases, it can do harm. So, for pregnant women and mothers who are breastfeeding their babies, celery is contraindicated. Also, you can not eat it after the bites of snakes, spiders, scorpions, since it enhances the effects of poison.
Celery leaf. Useful properties for diabetes
A glass of boiling water is poured into 20 g of herb and boiled for about 15 minutes. After cooling and straining, the infusion is drunk three times a day, 40-60 ml.
Celery leaf. Useful properties in reducing potency
The fact that the plant favorably affects potency has been noticed since ancient times. There is a legend according to which Tristan and Isolda took a drink of love, which, along with other ingredients, included celery juice. So, to increase potency, you need to take 100 g of celery leaves and fennel seeds and pour this mixture with dry white wine (1 l). It is necessary to insist it for a month, not forgetting to shake it daily. Take strained tincture should be ¾ cup after a meal.
Celery leaf. Useful properties in gynecology
The plant helps women get rid of painful menstruation. For this purpose, they need to take a third of a glass of juice from leaves and stalks of celery twice a day (it is possible before meals, and some time after it). Due to the normalization of hormonal activity, celery can be considered an excellent tool for overcoming female infertility.