Celery is absolutely yummy. And its seeds are really good for you. So it should come as no surprise that celery seed essential oil has amazing health benefits. Let's learn more.
Pros: It is antioxidant, chemo-preventive, antimicrobial, and insecticidal.
Cons: Celery seed essential oil should be avoided during pregnancy.
Precautions: Consult your doctor before using this essential oil.
Properties of Celery Seed Essential Oil
It is incredibly important to learn about essential oils before you use them. So here are a few properties of celery seed essential oil that you should know.
NameThe botanical name for celery is Apium graveolens. Be sure to check for this name when buying the essential oil.
Color & ScentTypically, celery seed essential oil has an almost colorless to pale yellow color. And it has an earthy, spicy, almost flowery smell.
CompoundsThe main compound in this essential oil is limonene. It can make up anywhere from 40% to 80% of the oil. Other compounds in the oil include: selinene, sedanenolide, sedanonic anhydride, caryophyllene, linalool, p-dimethylstyrene, dihydrocarvone, trepinene-4-ol, 3‐n‐butyl phthalide, p-menth-2,8-diene-1-ol, alpha-terpineol, perialdehyde and thymol.
Those are some complex compounds. But they all add to the tremendous benefits of celery seed essential oil.
Benefits of Celery Seed Essential Oil
Here are some of the amazing benefits of celery seed essential oil.
1. It may have chemo-preventive benefits
A 2009 animal study looked at the chemo-preventive effects of several compounds in celery seed essential oil, including limonene, p-menth-2,8-diene-1-ol, 3‐n‐butyl phthalide and sedanolide.
The researchers found that the number of tumors in the mice under investigation decreased by more than 50% after treatment with sedanolide and by 30% after treatment with 3‐n‐butyl phthalide. These compounds also significantly reduced (>60%) the spreading of the tumors.
Therefore, celery seed essential oil and sedanolide may have significant anti-tumor and chemo-preventive benefits.
2. It is antioxidant
Studies have also proved that celery seed essential oil has antioxidant benefits. Here's a study published in 2007 that shows this.
The study examined the antioxidant activity of thirteen essential oils including jasmine, celery seed, parsley seed, ylang ylang and patchouli essential oil. While celery seed was not the most antioxidant oil tested, it did show good results. And limonene was identified as the compound responsible for these antioxidant benefits.
3. It's antibacterial
Celery seed essential oil also has antibacterial effects.
A 2002 study explored the effects of 96 essential oils on four types of bacteria - including Escherichia coli and Campylobacter jejuni. Celery seed essential oil was found to be most active against Campylobacter jejuni, the bacteria that causes food poisoning.
That being said, celery seed still isn't one of the most antimicrobial essential oils out there.
4. It's anti-fungal
Celery seed essential oil has greater effects on fungi than on bacteria. And a 1999 study validates this. The study showed that celery seed essential oil was able to inhibit the fungi, Candida albicans, at concentrations of one milligram per liter.
That's pretty amazing!
5. Celery seed essential oil is insecticidal
Celery seed essential oil has exhibited great larvicidal, repellent and insecticidal benefits. And there are several studies that prove it.
A 2015 study looked at the activity of twelve essential oils against the larvae of the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus). Of the twelve essential oils, seven killed over 90% of the larvae at concentrations of 0.1 mg/L. Yes that's 0.1 mg/L! The seven were ajowan, caraway, carrot seed, celery seed, cumin, dill, and parsley. The study went on to suggest limonene was the compound responsible for celery seed's larvicidal benefits.
Another study published in 2014 noted that this essential oil exhibited 'remarkable' repellent action against the Aedes aegypti mosquito. In fact, the oil was found to have 100% repellent protection for over one and a half hours. And paper soaked with the essential oil at a concentration of 10% was able to 'knock down' adult mosquitoes. So celery seed essential oil didn't just repel the mosquitoes, it debilitated them too!
Summary
Isn't this essential oil just incredible? Here's a quick summary of the benefits of celery seed essential oil that we've covered:
Uses of Celery Seed Essential Oil
Celery seed essential oil has great benefits. But how can you use it? Well let's look at a few ways to do so.
InhalingYou can add celery seed essential oil to your diffuser for a spicy scent. This oil also blends well other spicy and floral oils like black pepper, ginger, tea tree and lavender essential oil.
You can also diffuse the oil with citronella and other insecticidal essential oils to keep bugs away.
MassagingCelery seed essential oil can also be used - diluted - on your skin. Don't forget to patch test first. And don't use a blend that is more concentrated than 5%. That means you can add up to 5 drops of this essential oil to 5 mL of your favorite carrier oil before applying the blend to your skin.
More PrecautionsIt is highly recommended to avoid celery seed essential oil while pregnant. In fact, if you are breastfeeding; suffering from any ailments; or are taking any medications, consult with your doctor before using this oil. It's always better to be safe than sorry.
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