Native to the British Isles and Europe, celery is an ancient herb, revered, respected, and cultivated from the earliest centuries, particularly for flavouring food when salt was a rare and expensive commodity. It was used in those far-off centuries to clear the body of excess fluid, toxins and arthritic aches and pains — one is always astonished to find that all our medical progress only verifies what the ancients knew already! Some 3 000 years ago ancient Egyptians ate celery to give them strong bones, strong muscles and fleetness of foot. In the 5th century BC ancient Chinese used celery to slow ageing and treat illness and flush toxins from the body.
A. CULTIVATION Plant seedlings out 30 cm apart in rows in soil that is deeply dug and compost enriched. I have found that double digging gives me longer stems and I double compost as well as this ensures a mass of juicy leaves and stems for two full years. Plant a second crop within 4 months and do this every 4-5 months all through the year.
B. PROPAGATION Sow the seed in moist, shaded, sand-filled trays and prick out when they are big enough to handle. Plant the little plants in compost-filled bags, keep them moist and in the shade. Gradually bring them out into the sun for longer periods to harden off before planting out in full sun in well-dug soil.
C. HARVESTING AND PROCESSING Constantly picking the outer stalks ensures new growth.
D. COMPANION PLANTING Plant with beans, leeks, marigolds, spring onions and tomatoes.
E. USES OF CELERY
i. Culinary: A superb detoxifier and cleanser and one of the best diuretics, especially at the festive time of year when we tend to overeat and party too long and too late. Celery added to our salads, soups and vegetable dishes is a quick health boost. Add chopped leaves and stalks at the end of the cooking time, or add finely chopped to sauces, gravies and spreads just as you are about to serve.
ii. Medicinal: Seeds, leaves and stems help chest ailments, lower high blood pressure, and act as a superb diuretic, urinary antiseptic, antispasmodic and sedative. Celery’s cleansing action on both kidneys and bladder is much respected and this is an effective treatment for cystitis and will improve the circulation to the muscles and joints. For gout, rheumatism and arthritis, celery in all its forms will dispose of the urates that cause the stiffness and pain, as well as reducing acidity throughout the body. To make celery seed tea, use 1 teaspoon organically grown seeds to 1 cup boiling water. Stand 5 minutes. Stir well and sip slowly, chewing the seeds as well. Celery has anticonvulsant properties and the Chinese eat a celery salad daily as a tonic, a cleanser and to bring down high blood pressure. Caution: Do not take celery and celery seeds medicinally if you are pregnant or suffering from a kidney disorder. The seeds you buy for sowing are not suitable for medical treatments — use only your own reaped seeds that are organically grown.
iii. Cosmetic: Celery leaves make a marvellous cleansing lotion (see recipe section) for oily spotty skin.
iv. Other uses: Old celery plants contain excellent minerals that help to quickly decompose compost.
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