CELERY SEED
Botanical name: Apium graveolens

Therapeutic Benefit - Mind:  Celery seed is toning and uplifting. It dispels grief and anxiety.

Therapeutic Benefit - Body:  Celery seed is astringent. It is a diuretic that helps to detoxify the body. Celery seed lowers and purifies the blood. It also aids the liver and gall bladder and reduces gout.

Therapeutic Benefit - Spirit:  Celery seed helps widen awareness.

Application Method:  Dilute 10 drops in 1 oz carrier oil, massage oil, or lotion and apply to skin or bath. Use 4 drops in 2 cups of hot water for a steam.

Action Word:  Uplifting

Color Energy:  Green - Tonifying

Fragrance:  Spicy, sweet, herbaceous

Note:  Middle Note

Color of Oil:  Pale yellow

Major Chemical Constituents:  lactone, limonene, selinene

Common Adulterants:  Limonene (synthetic or bioidentical), alkyl phthalides

Blends well with:  Angelica, Basil, Cajeput, Chamomile, Grapefruit, Hyssop, Lavender, Lemon, Orange, Palmarosa, Pine, Rosemary, Tea Tree

Botany:  Native to Eurasia it likes to grow in the moist ground near the sea. The stem is smooth, about two feet high with whitish flowers and delicate light green leaves. The tiny brown seeds are crushed immediately before distillation.

History:  Apium comes from the Celtic “apon” which means water and the Latin “Graveolens” implies gravity. A funereal association with celery amongst the ancient Egyptians and Romans inclined them to see it as a symbol of grief and death. However, the Egyptians, practical as ever, also used celery to relieve swollen limbs.

Warnings:  Avoid during pregnancy.