Celery - an antiinflammatory?

I don't know about celery, but I have heard that eating spicy food is "read" by your body as pain and causes the brain to release natural painkillers. hmmmmmm, interesting....

 

One thing I know about celery is that it's supposed to help with glaucoma. My dad eats celery on a daily basis for this reason alone.

 

Well, I never claimed to know everything and celery is one of them. I'm totally unaware of its anti-inflamatory properties. I do use herbs, however.

The one herb text that I strongly recommend is THE SCIENTIFIC VALIDATION OF HERBAL MEDECINE by Mowry. It costs about $17.00. Most other herbals I've seen claim that every herb does everything. No way. Mowry's book, OTOH, recommends 3 or 4 herbs for specific maladies. His recommendations are supported by scientific research. No anecdotes here. His recommendations have worked for me.

Back to anti-inflammatories. Immediately following an injury, the application of ice will reduce inflammation and accelerate healing. For most typical injuries (sprained ankles, abraisions, bruises, arthritic joints) I apply ice (a package of frozen veggies will work) to the affected area for 15 minutes every hour for the next 48 hours. Then alternate ice with moist heat.

[ June 29, 2001: Message edited by: kokopuffs ]

 

I don't know the answer to that one but my mother tells me that celery develops carcinogenic properties as it begins to decay. Then again, my mother tells me that everything causes cancer!

 

From Food That Harm Food That Heal

Celery

Benefits: low in calories and high in fiber, a good source of potassium, may reduce inflammation and protect against cancer.

Drawbacks: High in plants nitrates.

Medicinal Properties

Traditionally herbalists have advocated fresh celery seed tea to treat gout and other forms of inflammatory arthritis, as well as high blood pressure and edema. Polyacetylene, compounds found in celery are said to reduce production o certain protaglandins, body chemicals that are instrumental in producing inflammation. There is however no proof, however, that celery actually eases arthritis pain. Nor is there any proof that celery lowers blood pressure and increase urination.

Celery may help reduce the risk of certain cancers. The polyacetylenes in celery destroys benzopyrene, a powerful substance that causes cancer. This benefit may be partially offset by celery’s high levels of plant nitrates, substances that the body converts into nitrosamines, which are linked to an increase risk of cancer. However, many researchers believe that this is a minor risk because most plants high in nitrates and other potentially cancer-causing substances also contain chemicals that neutralize any harmful effects. Cooking celery by boiling, braising or steaming lowers nitrate levels.

 

I found an antiinflamatory cocktail using Celery, Cucumber and Pineapple juice, One stalk Celery half a Cucumber and top off with pineapple juice then blend or mix in a magic bullet drink and enjoy full of anti inflamatory properties!

 

Really? that's kinda cool. I love spicy food too.