Celery Seed (Apium graveolens): Uses, Evidence and Safety

Safety first: celery allergy can be severe. In a study of 79 people with celery allergy, 49 had systemic reactions and the rest had mild oral or nose and eye symptoms. [1] Celery root is known to cause severe reactions in people sensitized to mugwort pollen. [1] If you are allergic to celery, avoid celery seed products, and seek emergency help (911 in the US) for breathing trouble or throat swelling. See severe allergic reactions to natural products.

Overview

Celery seed comes from Apium graveolens L., family Apiaceae. [2] It is used as a spice and as a standardized extract in supplements. Research on "celery" mixes seed, stalk, other plant parts and extracts, which limits what any one result tells us. [3]

Traditional use (not proof of benefit)

A review reports that celery preparations have been used for several millennia as natural therapies for painful or inflammatory conditions. [4] That is the authors' summary; the abstract names no region or tradition.

What research shows

A trial that measured uric acid in people with metabolic syndrome is not a gout trial. See boswellia and herbs for joint pain and arthritis.

Forms and why the form matters

The 2025 review notes differences in doses, extracts, celery species and administration form across studies. [3] A standardized extract from one maker is not the same as the spice. [4] No amounts are suggested here; the trial amount above applies only to that trial.

Safety

• Allergy. See the top of the page. Sensitization to mugwort pollen is a known route to celery allergy. [1] See herbal allergy and cross-reactivity.
• Sun-sensitive skin reactions. Celery contains furocoumarins and psoralens that can cause painful blistering after sun exposure. Typical dietary amounts are generally too low, but risk is higher for people who regularly handle celery, for fungus-infected produce and for tanning-bed users. [9]
• Medicines. Reviews describe blood pressure lowering with diuretic effects. [3] Ask a pharmacist if you take blood pressure medicines or diuretics ("water pills"); this is a theoretical concern, since no interaction study was read. One review says a celery seed extract did not significantly affect liver enzyme systems that clear medicines, which is a statement about one extract. [4] See supplements and blood pressure medicines.
• Adverse events. The 2025 meta-analysis found no significant difference in adverse events between celery and placebo. [5]
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding, children, liver and kidney. Not described in the sources we read. See pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Surgery. Not described, but blood pressure effects are a reason to tell the surgical team: herbs before and after surgery.

Quality

Extracts differ between makers. [4] See quality testing and certifications.