Celery Stalk in TCM: Properties and Therapeutic Recipes

Nature and Flavour

• Nature: Cool
• Flavour: Sweet, slightly bitter and pungent
• Movement: Descending

Entered Meridians

• Liver (Gan)
• Stomach (Wei)
• Lung (Fei)

Main Actions

• Cools the Liver and extinguishes Wind
• Brings down rebellious Qi
• Eliminates Damp-Heat
• Lowers blood pressure

🔬 Western Scientific Approach

Nutritional Values (per 100g raw celery)

Calories 16 kcal

Water 95%

Protein 0.7g

Carbohydrates 3g (of which fibre 1.6g)

Fat 0.2g

Vitamin K 29% of the RDA

Nutritional values per 100g of raw celery:

• Calories: 16 kcal
• Water: 95%
• Protein: 0.7g
• Carbohydrates: 3g (of which fibre 1.6g)
• Fat: 0.2g
• Vitamin K: 29% of the RDA
• Vitamin C: 4% of the RDA
• Potassium: 260mg
• Folic acid: 9% of the RDA

Health benefits:

• Low in calories: Ideal for weight management thanks to its high water and fibre content.
• Rich in antioxidants: Contains flavonoids and vitamin C that help fight oxidative stress.
• Cardiovascular support: The phthalides in celery can help lower blood pressure.
• Digestion: Dietary fibre promotes good intestinal transit and feeds the microbiome.
• Hydration: Its high water content contributes to daily hydration.
• Anti-inflammatory: Contains polyphenols that may reduce chronic inflammation.
• Bone health: Rich in vitamin K, essential for blood clotting and bone health.

🌿 TCM Approach (Traditional Chinese Medicine)

Clinical Applications

1. Arterial Hypertension

Celery stalk is particularly indicated in cases of hypertension linked to rising Liver Yang or Liver Fire. Its hypotensive action is attributed to its ability to bring down Qi and cool the Liver.

Recommendation: Fresh celery juice (100 to 200 ml per day) or a light decoction of the stalks.

2. Headaches and Dizziness

Its action on the Liver meridian makes it a food of choice for treating headaches and dizziness of hepatic origin, especially those aggravated by stress or strong emotions.

3. Digestive Disorders

Celery regulates Stomach and Liver Qi, thereby relieving symptoms such as belching, nausea and sensations of epigastric fullness.

Therapeutic Recipes in Chinese Dietetics

Citrus-Confit Celery, Chef Style

Ingredients:

• 4 celery stalks
• 1 blood orange
• 1 pink grapefruit
• 2 tbsp rosemary honey
• 20g clarified butter
• A few parmesan shavings
• Fleur de sel and Sichuan pepper

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 160°C. Peel the citrus fruits to the flesh and collect the segments. In a sauté pan, caramelise the celery cut into sticks with the butter. Add the honey, citrus zest and their juice. Bake for 15 min. Serve warm sprinkled with parmesan, fleur de sel and a touch of Sichuan pepper.

TCM actions:

• Cools the Liver and extinguishes Wind (celery, grapefruit)
• Moistens the Lungs (orange, honey)
• Tonifies Spleen Qi (clarified butter, parmesan)
• Indicated for: hypertension, lung dryness, Liver Yin deficiency

Vegetarian Mafé with Celery and Peanuts

Ingredients:

• 4 celery stalks in sections
• 2 sweet potatoes
• 1 sliced onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp peanut paste
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 400ml coconut milk
• 1 tsp turmeric
• Fresh coriander

Preparation:

In a casserole, sauté the onion, garlic and ginger. Add the turmeric, then the vegetables cut into pieces. Dilute the peanut paste in a little hot water and pour into the casserole with the coconut milk. Simmer for 25 to 30 min over low heat. Serve sprinkled with fresh coriander.

TCM actions:

• Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach (sweet potato, peanut)
• Eliminates Damp-Heat (celery, turmeric)
• Nourishes Yin (coconut milk)
• Indicated for: digestive weakness, dampness retention, summer heat

Asian Celery and Prawn Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

• 3 celery stalks cut on the bias
• 200g shelled prawns
• 1 red pepper
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp honey
• A few sesame seeds

Preparation:

In a very hot wok, sauté the garlic and ginger in the oil. Add the prawns and brown them. Set aside. In the same wok, sauté the celery and pepper for 3 to 4 min. Return the prawns, add the soy sauce and honey. Mix well and let caramelise slightly. Serve hot sprinkled with sesame seeds.

TCM actions:

• Tonifies Kidney Yang (prawns)
• Circulates Liver Qi (celery, ginger)
• Moistens the Lungs (sesame, honey)
• Indicated for: adrenal fatigue, Yang deficiency, Liver Qi stagnation

Celery, Apple and Ginger Juice

Ingredients:

• 3 celery stalks
• 1 green apple
• 1 cm fresh ginger
• 100ml filtered water

Preparation:

Wash and cut the ingredients into pieces. Run everything through the juicer. Drink fresh in the morning on an empty stomach.

TCM actions:

• Cools the Liver and extinguishes Wind (celery)
• Tonifies Qi and the Stomach (apple)
• Warms the Middle Burner and dissolves Phlegm (ginger)
• Indicated for: hypertension, headaches, Heat-type constipation

Celery Stir-Fry with Walnuts and Shiitake Mushrooms

Ingredients:

• 4 celery stalks cut on the bias
• 5 dried shiitake mushrooms, rehydrated
• 1 handful of walnut halves
• 2 sliced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• Light soy sauce (tamari)

Preparation:

Sauté the garlic in the oil, add the sliced mushrooms, then the celery. Stir-fry over high heat for 5 min. Add the walnuts and season with soy sauce.

TCM actions:

• Nourishes Kidney Yin (walnuts)
• Strengthens the Spleen and dissolves Phlegm (shiitake)
• Circulates Liver Qi (celery, garlic)
• Indicated for: overwork fatigue, dizziness, tinnitus

Celery-Carrot-Leek Detox Soup

Ingredients:

• 3 celery stalks
• 2 carrots
• 1 leek white
• 1 piece of fresh ginger (3cm)
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1L water or vegetable stock

Preparation:

Lightly sauté the chopped vegetables in the oil. Add the water and ginger. Bring to the boil then simmer for 20 min. Blend or leave in pieces as preferred.

TCM actions:

• Eliminates Damp-Heat (celery, carrot)
• Promotes diuresis and drains dampness (leek)
• Warms the Middle Burner (ginger)
• Indicated for: water retention, oedema, excess weight

Precautions and Contraindications

• Use with caution in cases of Spleen/Stomach Yang deficiency with chronic diarrhoea
• Avoid in cases of Stomach Cold deficiency
• May be contraindicated during pregnancy in high doses

Culinary Tips

To preserve its therapeutic properties:

• Favour short cooking, steaming or wok-frying
• Consume raw as juice for hypertension
• Combine with fresh ginger to counterbalance its cool nature

References: Chinese medicine classics and modern pharmacological studies.

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Article written by Yin Shi, practitioner of Chinese dietetics. Sources: traditional TCM classifications, Bencao Gangmu (本草纲目), and modern nutritional data. Consult a health professional before any therapeutic diet.