Let’s Celebrate Celery!

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When a friend told me that celery would cure my heartburn, I did not believe him. I thought that it was ridiculous to think that a stalk of the green leafy stuff would do the trick, until I awoke in the middle of the night with the worst heartburn ever! It was the cherry pie I am sure of it; regardless, I couldn’t sleep.

I moseyed through the darkness into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator door, frantically looking for a fizzy drink to help ease the pain. With no luck I spied the green leafy stuff. I thought, “Well, it can’t hurt to try, and no one is around,” so, I broke a stalk off, and ran it under water at the sink to clean off the dirt.

I stood there in the darkness slowly munching my stalk of celery. I wondered if this is why animals eat grass; maybe it’s to help their digestive systems. By the time I had finished the stalk my heartburn had subsided. This was shocking! Celery had alleviated my heartburn, and quickly. I grabbed another stalk and took a bite, just to seal the deal.

Yes, it’s the natural remedies that work the best. Many of these quite popular and enduring remedies — enduring because they worked! — fell out of use with the introduction of modern medicine, but are now resurfacing as people seek out alternative health solutions.

What magic does celery hold? My research reveals that celery is 95% water, but loaded with vitamins K, A and C and antioxidants. As a food and medicine, celery is cooling, cleansing and sedative. As a diuretic, celery has been found to lower blood pressure and may aid in the prevention of kidney stones. Its natural carbs feed the gut of your bacteria, while its fibrous stalk helps keeps digestion moving to prevent constipation. Two stalks contain just 15 calories and are low in sodium.

In Herbal Remedies, UK herbalist Andrew Chevallier says, “Celery is a good detoxification remedy. Celery stem, leaf and seed stimulate the kidneys to clear waste products, especially helping to cleanse salts that accumulate in joints, causing stiffness and inflammation. The juice from the stem and leaf is an excellent dietary supplement in aiding detoxification and weight loss.”

Peek in your refrigerator, and I bet you will find some celery. Share the miracle of these green stalks with a friend just as I’ve shared the secret with you, or try one of my favorite celery recipes. If you have a juicer, celery juice is quick and easy to make.

Celery Citrus Juice

4 celery stalks
1 cucumber
1 orange, peeled
½ lemon, peeled

Wash all ingredients thoroughly. Cut the celery, cucumber, orange and lemon into juicer-friendly size. Put all the ingredients in your juicer and enjoy.

Surprisingly Delicious Celery Salad 

3 cups sliced celery
1 medium sweet onion cut in half, sliced lengthwise
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Dressing
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon minced garlic
½ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons olive oil

Make the dressing by whisking together dressing ingredients in a small bowl, minus the oil. Add the oil and whisk until everything is combined. Combine salad ingredients in a medium bowl, then toss with dressing until well coated. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days. If you plan to refrigerate and want nuts to remain crunchy, add nuts just before serving.

Nancy Yearout is the author of A Guide to Angel Communication and Spiritual Laws, and podcast host of “High Road To Humanity,” where she uses her voice to uplift humanity. Nancy resides in Connecticut and has three fabulous grandchildren.

Find holistic Qigong Practitioners in the Spirit of Change online Alternative Health Directory.

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