How to Prepare Tea With Celery Seeds

Celery seed is the fruit of Apium graveolens, a relative of carrot and parsley.

Celery seed tea, prepared from the seeds of Apium graveolens, is used by herbalists to treat gout, arthritis, rheumatism, colds and flu. It is a diuretic and may be used to help reduce inflammation. In addition, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes that several studies have shown that celery seed is an effective mosquito repellent. Preparing the tea is an easy process.

Things You'll Need

• 8 oz. water
• 1 tsp. celery seeds
• Mortar and pestle or spice grinder
• Fine-gauge strainer

Instructions

1. Put 8 oz. of water in a pot or kettle, or in a microwave-safe glass container, and bring it to a boil.

2. Crush 1 tsp. of celery seeds in a mortar and pestle, or grind briefly in a spice grinder. You want to crush, not pulverize, the seeds.

3. Pour the water over the crushed seeds and allow to steep for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how strong you want your tea.

4. Strain the liquid into a teacup before drinking.

Tips & Warnings

• When using it for medicinal purposes, you should drink this tea three times a day, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

• Pregnant women, people with kidney inflammation and people on blood thinners or diuretics should not consume celery seed tea.

• High doses of celery seed may lead to sun sensitivity, so adjust your use of sunblock accordingly.

• People who are allergic to birch pollen should be cautious about consuming celery seed.

• Use only seeds from a spice jar or packet, never seeds from garden packets, which may be treated with toxic chemicals.

References

• Viable Herbal: Celery Seed
• University of Graz: Spice Pages, Celery (Apium graveolens L.)
• Crazy for Tea: Celery Seed Herb
• University of Maryland Medical Center, Complementary Medicine: Celery Seed