Celery Seed
Profile
| Latin Name | Apium graveolens |
| Chinese Name | Xi Gan Zi |
| Family | Apiaceae / Umbelliferae |
| Note | Middle |
| Aroma | <Moderate> Spicy, Sweet |
| Color | Pale-Yellow (absolute is blue color) |
| Parts Distilled | Seeds & Flowers |
| Regions | Holland, Hungary, India |
| Taste | Spicy, Sweet |
| Nature | Cooling |
| Affinity | KD, LR, ST |
| Major Chemical Constituents | Limonene (~60%), psoralens* |
| Skin Type | NIA; photosensitive |
| Dosage | 4% dilution (excess leads to diarrhea and dyspepsia) |
Also produced as an absolute (see About Absolutes).
TCM Categories
Functions
- Regulate Liver to consolidate yin, LR capacity to store blood, creates a comfortable place for the HUN to be rooted
- Drain dampness and expel wind-damp Bi, especially gout
- Clear fire toxins
- Descend Stomach qi, bloating, belching, vomiting, loss of appetite
- Nourishes blood, useful for deficient LR blood, nourishes by regulating LR Qi to bank blood, best used with other oils that nourish blood such as Angelica
Indications
- Fluid & Blood Stasis due to Liver Qi Stagnation with fluid retention, menstrual cramping with thick clots, hypertension, cirrhosis (LR-14, SP-9, SP-10, BL-18, CV-9, LR-3)
- Deficient Liver Blood** (LR-14, BL-17, LR-3, CV-2)
Topical Applications
- 4% dilution with Celery (50%), Rosemary (20%), Myrtle (30%) as a liniment for gout, rheumatism, arthritis, and sciatica
Specific Protocols
- Apply the above blend to Shao yang (GB/TH) divergent zones.
Actions
- Carminative (prevents or relieves flatulence)
- Hypotensive
- Emmenagogue (a substance that stimulates or increases menstrual flow)
- Analgesic
- Hepatic stimulant
- Diuretic
Contraindications & Cautions
- Estrogenic
- Photosensitive
- Not used during pregnancy
- Not when nursing
- Not for pre-pubescent children
- Not for hormonal cancers
- Not for PMS (the estrogen part of it)
Notes
- Strong affiliation for the water element
- Seeds resonate with the constitution
- For someone unwilling to try again because they cannot believe their life can be any different.
- Fear from being burned or wronged in the past, leading to a lack of faith
- Stimulates the kidneys and Zhi (will) to work through some of that
- Gives strength to go forward
- Helps with addiction, when someone has lost the ability to choose; good blood is needed to make good choices
- Blood with too much fluid lets the yin aspect dominate, and the yin aspect doesn't carry shen. Nourishing the spirit-carrying aspect of the blood can help them envision a life with depth and perspective.
- When the Hun is constrained, this oil can help restore yin to its proper place and to the kidneys, bringing the conversation back into proper relationship
- Regulates the water metabolism of the kidney, the mother of the liver
- GB and SJ divergents
- For HTN and HLD
Additional Comments
- Although psoralens irritate the skin, it can treat psoriasis and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
- **Celery Seed essential oil nourishes by regulating Liver qi to "bank" blood; use it with other blood-nourishing oils (e.g., Angelica).
- The oil can lower blood sugar, blood pressure, and serum cholesterol.
- The oil also promotes lactation, but because it is estrogenic, it is best avoided during lactation