Celery: Cultivation, Harvest, Benefits

Celery, scientifically known as Apium graveolens, is celebrated for its elongated, sturdy stalks, which are pale green and fibrous in texture. Growing in clusters of around eight to 10, these stalks gradually transition into leafy foliage at their apex. While the stalks are commonly utilized in culinary endeavors, it's important to recognize that the leaves are equally edible, providing supplementary nutritional value.

Regarded as a resilient biennial plant, celery is predominantly cultivated as an annual due to its desirable 12- to 18-inch stalks. However, its cultivation demands careful attention to temperature fluctuations. Thriving in cooler climates, celery is vulnerable to frost, necessitating precise timing for planting. In locales with chilly springs and summers, initiating cultivation in early spring ensures a bountiful summer yield. Conversely, in regions characterized by warmer climates during these seasons, late summer planting facilitates a harvest in late autumn or early winter.

Successful cultivation of celery pivots on the provision of optimal growing conditions. A nutrient-rich soil replete with organic matter is indispensable, given celery's shallow root system, which extends a mere 2 to 3 inches deep with a lateral spread of 6 to 8 inches. Augmenting the soil with compost or well-aged manure is imperative to supply the essential nutrients crucial for vigorous growth.

Harvesting celery demands meticulous timing. Stalks are typically primed for harvest upon reaching a height of eight inches. For individual stalks, a methodical approach involves commencing with the largest, outermost pieces and using a knife to sever them from the plant's base, ensuring a satisfyingly crisp texture. Conversely, harvesting entire plants entails severing them at soil level or uprooting the entire plant and trimming the roots.

Beyond its culinary versatility, celery boasts an impressive array of health benefits. Bursting with vital vitamins and minerals such as A, K, and C, as well as potassium and folate, celery is a nutritional powerhouse. Furthermore, its low glycemic index and sodium content ensure a gradual impact on blood sugar levels, rendering it an ideal choice for individuals monitoring their glycemic intake.

Moreover, celery's high fiber content promotes digestive health, aiding in the prevention of constipation and the reduction of cholesterol levels. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory properties alleviate bodily inflammation, while its consumption has been correlated with reduced levels of stress hormones, further accentuating its role as a beneficial dietary staple.

In conclusion, celery transcends its culinary applications to emerge as a nutritional powerhouse, offering an extensive array of health benefits. From its cultivation requisites to harvesting techniques and diverse health advantages, celery undeniably earns its status as a staple vegetable in both gastronomic and wellness realms.
Celery: Cultivation, Harvest, Benefits

History of Celery

Celery is believed to have its origins in the Mediterranean region, although evidence from Switzerland's archaeological findings suggests that humans were already transporting celery seeds as far back as 4,000 B.C. The uncultivated variety of celery can be located in wetland areas across moderate Europe and Western Asia.

Homer's "Iliad" portrays the horses of Myrmidons grazing on wild celery within Troy's marshes. Similarly, the "Odyssey" mentions meadows that encompass violets and wild celery, encircling Calypso's cave.

In antiquity, celery was connected to funeral rites and held as a symbol of ill fortune. In ancient Greece, celery leaves were fashioned into garlands for the deceased and wreaths awarded to triumphant warriors. Archaeological evidence even indicates the discovery of wild celery garlands in early Egyptian tombs.

Both Egypt and Rome harnessed the medicinal potential of wild celery, often employing it as a remedy for hangovers or as an aphrodisiac. The Romans also favored wild celery leaves for crafting crowns worn by victorious athletes.

While celery's widespread cultivation likely didn't begin until the Middle Ages, historical records show it was under cultivation before 850 B.C. Celery's cultivation initiated in the lowlands of Italy before diffusing to France and England.

Around 1623, the French introduced celery as a food source. For nearly a century, its primary use was as a flavor enhancer due to the intense taste of early varieties.

During the late 17th and early 18th centuries, there were initial indications of efforts to improve the wild type of celery in Italy, France, and England.

In the 17th century, the Italians succeeded in domesticating celery as a vegetable. Over time, growers managed to diminish the bitterness and the presence of hollow stalks that were characteristic of celery during that period.

Throughout the 19th century, in the United States, England, and much of Europe, it was widely held that blanching the green edible parts of celery was essential to mitigate the excessively strong flavor and green color.
History of Celery

Health benefit of celery: anti-diabetogenic

Celery has some general anti-diabetogenic affects as well as being helpful for people with high blood pressure.  The minerals contained inj celery juice make the body’s use calcium more effective, balancing the blood’s pH.

Several studies have indicated that celery seed reduces blood sugar levels, an important part of managing diabetes.

A cup of celery contains about 29 micrograms of vitamin K.  Recent research by University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands concluded that those with the highest intake of vitamin K were nearly 20% less likely to develop type II diabetes compared with those who had the lowest intake of the vitamin (Diabetes Care. 2010 Aug;33(8):1699-705).

The celery anti-diabetic benefits can also might attributed to its unique ability to fight Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a bacterium that leads to a near three-fold increase in the risk of type II diabetes (Diabetes Care. 2012 Mar;35(3):520-5).
Health benefit of celery: anti-diabetogenic 

Celery reduces high blood pressure

Celery is an excellent source of antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin C, beta-carotene and manganese. Celery contains calcium blockers and other plant chemicals that help prevent and treat arrhythmias and other compounds that help lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

Celery is high in apigenin, a chemical that expands the blood vessels and may help prevent high blood pressure. Celery is a traditional Asian folk remedy for high blood pressure.

In 1992, Minh Le, the father of a University of Chicago medical student was diagnosed with high blood pressure. His doctor prescribed standard antihypertensive medication.

In the book The New Healing Herbs, Le ignored his doctor’s advice and began eating a ¼ pound of celery a day. Before long, his blood pressure dropped from 158/96 to 118/82.

Researchers at the University of Chicago Medical Center have found that very small amounts of a compound in celery, 3-n-butyl phthalide, can lower blood pressure in animals by 12-14 percent and cholesterol by about 7 percent.

It’s known in scientific circles that phthalide relaxes the muscles and arteries that regulate blood pressure.
Celery reduces high blood pressure

Celery juice and effects on nervous system

The word celery is derived from Latin, ‘celery’ which means quick acting and presumably refers s to its therapeutic properties.

Celery juice has a claiming effect on the nervous system. This is probably due to its high concentration of organic alkaline minerals especially sodium.

The minerals contained in celery juice make the body’s use of calcium more effective, balancing the blood’s pH. The juice has been used as a nerve tonic.

It can be beneficially used in sleeplessness. The juice of celery leaves, mixed with tablespoon of honey, should be taken at night before retiring.

Celery juice has also been suggested to relive attention deficit disorder in children.
Celery juice and effects on nervous system

Celery Juice and Health Benefits

Celery Juice
Sodium is one of the chemical elements needed so much in the walls of the stomach and in the intestinal tract. Celery is particularly food for these parts of the body.

However, many times celery can be very irritating to a sensitive stomach because it contains a great deal of fiber.

If irritation results, celery juice should be substituted.

It also best to avoid using raw celery if there is any stomach irritation.

Broths made of celery leaves, with other vegetables and milk or cream added, are good to take for stomach disturbance.

The milk or cream has a wonderful soothing effect on the stomach especially when there is excessive acidity.

A broth made with celery is good in an elimination diet.

Celery aids digestion, counteracts acidosis, halts fermentation, and purifies the bloodstream.

Celery juice can be handled and tolerated by most people, especially children.

However, many people prefer diluted celery juice and it is very good when combined with pineapple or apple juice.

Apple and celery juice combined is great for neutralizing the rheumatic acids in the body.

Combine, parsley, and asparagus juice for kidney disorder; celery and papaya juice for asthma; celery and grapefruit with a pinch of pure cream of tart for colds or sinus troubles; celery and parsley juice for fevers, gout or arthritis; and of the condition of the teeth is poor, combine beet greens, parsley, celery juice and green kale.
Celery Juice

Celery Juice

Celery Juice
Celery juice has a calming effect on the nervous system. This is probably due to its high concentration of organic alkaline minerals especially sodium.

The minerals contained in celery juice make the body’s use of calcium more effective, balancing the blood’s pH.

Organic sodium, which is abundant in celery juice, has received a bad name lately because of the average American’s habitual overuse of inorganic sodium chloride – table salt.

Unlike inorganic sodium chloride, organic sodium found in celery juice is naturally blended with many other useful minerals. It is essential to the proper functioning of all major body systems. Organic sodium is the element in blood that makes it salty.

Because of its slightly salty taste, celery juice is an excellent component of any vegetable juice combination. Celery juice is especially affective for nervous conditions because it produces a calming effect; and for weight reduction diets, as it curbs the desire for sweets.

Celery juice is responsive to condition of acne, arthritis, eczema, fever, fluid retention, hair loss, high blood pressure, kidney disorders, psoriasis and weight loss.
Celery Juice