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Apium graveolens
CautionEchter Sellerie · (Apium graveolens)
Carrot family (Apiaceae)
Description
The crisp, ribbed stalks of this carrot-family plant grow in a tight bundle from a leaf rosette and are harvested between July and October together with root and seeds. Eaten raw as a low-calorie vegetable or snack, the stalks supply notable amounts of vitamin K, folate and potassium; the phthalides butylphthalide and sedanolide, the main components of the seed oil, are responsible for the characteristic aroma. An infusion of crushed seeds is traditionally used in European folk medicine as a diuretic for mild urinary complaints, while stalks, seeds and root were traditionally used for gout and rheumatic complaints. Celery already served as a culinary and medicinal plant in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. WARNING: celery is one of the most common food allergens in Central Europe, with possible anaphylactic reactions, and requires EU-wide labelling; contact with leaves followed by sun exposure can cause photodermatitis.
Raw celery stalks as vegetable or snack: low calorie (14 kcal/100 g), 95 % water, rich in vitamin K (29 µg/100 g = 24 % DV), folate (36 µg = 9 % DV), and potassium (263 mg = 9 % DV). The characteristic phthalides butylphthalide and sedanolide provide the typical aroma and mildly relax smooth muscle of the digestive tract.
Preparation & dosage
Seed infusion: 1 tsp crushed celery seeds in 250 ml hot water, steep 10–15 min. Traditionally used in European folk medicine as a diuretic for mild urinary tract infections and to support kidney function. Commission E monograph notes insufficient efficacy evidence; traditional use in central Europe is nonetheless well documented.
Preparation & dosage
- Dry amount
- 2–4 g
- Doses per day
- 2×
Celery seeds as spice in soups, stews, breads, and vegetable dishes — more intense flavour than the stalks. The seed essential oil contains R-(+)-limonene (~60 %), β-selinene (~13 %), and phthalides (20–30 %). Widely used in traditional cuisine of Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia.
Preparation & dosage
In European folk medicine, celery (stalks, seeds, root) is traditionally used for gout, rheumatism, and arthritis. The diuretic effect is said to promote uric acid excretion. Use for rheumatic complaints is well documented in folk tradition across central Europe and the Middle East; clinical studies on efficacy are lacking.
In traditional Chinese and Persian medicine, celery is used to support blood pressure. Phthalides (especially butylphthalide) relax vascular smooth muscle and lower blood pressure in animal models. No controlled clinical trials on celery as monoextract in humans exist; phthalides have however been isolated and studied as potential active compounds.
Celery leaves as a culinary herb (leaf celery): bitter compounds and essential oils stimulate digestion. Used as a spice and medicinal plant in ancient medicine (Egypt, Greece, Rome). Raw leaves have an intense, slightly bitter flavour; as a cooking herb they are used in soups and broths.
Preparation & dosage
Culinary amounts (vegetable, spice) are safe for healthy adults. Celery allergy (celery-carrot-mugwort-birch cross-reaction) is widespread in central Europe and can cause anaphylactic reactions — mandatory labelling across the EU. Contact with leaves followed by sun exposure has photodermatitis potential due to psoralens/bergapten. Medicinal doses (seed extract, concentrated oil) are contraindicated in pregnancy.
Culinary amounts as vegetable are safe. Medicinal doses of celery seeds, oil, or extract are contraindicated — uterotonic and emmenagogue substances (apiol, apigenin) can trigger uterine contractions.
Insufficient safety data. As a vegetable in culinary amounts likely safe; avoid concentrated extracts.
As a vegetable in normal amounts suitable for children. Watch for allergy symptoms (cross-reaction possible).
Drug interactions
Antikoagulanzien (Warfarin, Heparin)
Furanocoumarin-containing constituents may potentiate anticoagulant effect and increase bleeding risk.
Levothyroxin (Schilddrüsenhormone)
Celery may reduce absorption of levothyroxine; time separation from intake is recommended.
Antihypertensiva
Additive blood pressure lowering effect possible through phthalides; hypotension risk with concurrent use.
Lithium
Diuretic effect of celery may reduce lithium excretion and raise lithium levels.
Contraindications
- Known celery allergy or cross-allergy (celery-carrot-mugwort-birch syndrome).
- Kidney disease — avoid medicinal doses (seed extract, oil).
- Bleeding tendency or anticoagulant therapy — increased bleeding risk from coumarin constituents.
- Before planned surgery: discontinue medicinal celery doses at least 2 weeks prior.
Harvested part: root, stalks, seeds
- Time of day:
- Morning, when the stalks are still fresh and cool.
- Drying:
- Celery stalks are not ideal for drying (high water content). Better: use fresh or freeze. Leaves can be bundled and air-dried (1–2 weeks).
- Storage:
- 1 months — Fresh: in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks. Frozen: up to 3 months (blanched, suitable for soups).
- Time of day:
- When the seed heads are brownish and dry; harvest before they open if possible.
- Drying:
- Cut seed heads, hang upside-down in paper bags until fully ripe. Pour out seeds and store dry and dark.
- Storage:
- 24 months — In airtight glass jar, cool and dark — shelf life 2 years.
- Butylphthalid (Sedanolid)OtherContent: 20-30 % (im Samenöl)Seed
Characteristic phthalide of celery; mainly responsible for the typical smell and taste. Relaxes vascular and intestinal smooth muscle; blood pressure-lowering in animal studies.
- R-(+)-LimonenEssential oilContent: ~60 % (im Samenöl)Seed
Main constituent of celery seed essential oil; carminative and antioxidant properties.
- beta-SelinenSesquiterpeneContent: ~13 % (im Samenöl)Seed
Sesquiterpene in seed oil; contributes to the overall aroma and is discussed in aromatherapy contexts.
- ApigeninFlavonoidLeaf
Flavone in leaves and seeds; anxiolytic and anti-inflammatory activity documented in vitro. Uterotonic potential relevant for pregnancy warning.
- Vitamin K (Phylloquinon)VitaminContent: 29 µg/100 g frisch (= 24 % TW)Aerial parts
Richest micronutrient in fresh celery stalk; important for blood coagulation and bone metabolism.
- Bergapten (5-Methoxypsoralen)OtherLeaf
Furanocoumarin in leaves and seeds; photodermatitis potential on skin contact followed by UV exposure.
- ApiolEssential oilSeed
Phenylpropanoid; historically used as an emmenagogue. Uterotonic effect is the basis for the pregnancy contraindication at medicinal doses.
- Folat (Vitamin B9)VitaminContent: 36 µg/100 g frisch (= 9 % TW)Aerial parts
Important for cell growth and division; well represented in fresh stalks.
- [4]MonographCelery: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, Dose & Precautions — RxList(accessed: 2026-05-22)
- [3]BookPlants For A Future — Apium graveolens(accessed: 2026-05-22)
- [1]WikipediaCelery (Wikipedia EN)(accessed: 2026-05-22)
- [2]WikipediaEchter Sellerie (Wikipedia DE)(accessed: 2026-05-22)
Distribution in Europe
🤝 Permaculture Partners
In your garden, this plant acts as:
✨ Best symbiotic partners
- 🌿 Leek Leek and celery complement each other nutritionally.
- 🌿 Garlic Classic companion-planting partner.
- 🌿 Cauliflower Classic companion-planting partner.
- 🌿 Cabbage Celery deters cabbage white butterfly (classic DACH rule).
- 🌿 Red cabbage Classic companion-planting partner.
- 🌿 Brussels sprout Classic companion-planting partner.
- 🌿 Broccoli Classic companion-planting partner.
- 🌿 Savoy cabbage Classic companion-planting partner.
- 🌿 Cucurbita pepo Classic companion-planting partner.
- 🌿 Lovage Classic companion-planting partner.
- 🌿 Phaseolus vulgaris Classic companions: bean fertilises, celery uses the nitrogen.
- 🌿 Tomato Celery scent masks tomato from pests.
- 🌿 Tropaeolum majus Classic companion-planting partner.
⚠️ Better not planted together
📦 Part of these planting sets:
Source: Gertrud Franck, Gesunder Garten durch Mischkultur (1980, eigene Kuration) | Helga und Margarete Langerhorst, Mein gesunder Naturgarten (eigene Kuration)