CELERY: STAPLE VEGETABLES

Celery is common household staple vegetables in the kitchen. It has crunchy texture and distinctive flavor. It grows to a height of 12 to 10 inches and is composed of leaf-topped stalks arranged in a conical shape that are joined at the common base. It is a biennial vegetable plants belong to Umbelliferae family. It has a prized stalks, the leaves, roots and seeds used as food and seasoning as well as a natural medicinal remedy.

Celery is used as food and seasoning including natural medicinal remedy. It grows 12 to 16 inches, composed of leaf-topped stalks arranged in conical shape and joined at a common base. The stalks have crunchy texture and a delicate but mildly salty taste. The stalks in the center are called the heart. It is very popular in U.S. population.

Celery contains vitamin C with other active compounds that promote health including phthalides that can lower cholesterol and coumarins useful in cancer prevention.

Excellent source of vitamin C that helps to support the immune system. It can also reduced cold symptoms.  Vitamin C is a cold fighter. Vitamin C also prevents the free radical damage to the body that triggers the inflammatory cascade and is therefore associated with reduced severity of inflammatory condition such as asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. As free radicals it can oxidize cholesterol and lead to plaques that may rapture causing heart attack or stroke. Vitamin C is beneficial to promote cardiovascular health.

Consumption of vegetables and fruits high in this nutrients are associated with reduced risk of death from all cases including heart disease, stroke and cancer.

Health properties: vitamin C, dietary fibers, potassium, folate, molybdenum, manganese, vitamin B6, calcium, vitamin B1, B2, magnesium, vitamin A, phosphorus and iron.

Celery has potential for reducing high blood pressure. It contains active compound called phtalides which can help relax the muscles around arteries and allow those vessels to dilate. With more space inside the arteries, the blood can flow at lower pressure. Phthalides also reduces stress hormones, one of whose effects is to cause blood vessels to constrict. When researchers injected 3-n-butyl phthalides to animal, the blood pressure dropped.

Celery are good source of potassium, calcium and magnesium. Increased intake of these minerals has also associated with reduced blood pressure. Celery has high sodium content. Blood pressure reduction is usually associated with low sodium foods. Celery seeds were used as diuretic. It is rich in potassium and sodium, this mineral is important for regulating fluid balance, stimulates urine production, helping to get rid the body of excess fluid.

Celery contains compound called coumarins that help prevent free radicals from damaging cells, decreasing the mutation that increases the potential for cells to become cancerous. Coumarins enhances the ability of certain white blood cells, immune defenders that target and eliminate potentially harmful cells including cancer cells. Compound in celery called acetylenics stops growth of tumor cells.

GREEN TEA: ANTI-OXIDANT

Tea is a single plant under Camellia sinensis. It is small evergreen shrub that can grow to 30 feet high with many branches. It has a grey and rough bark. The leaves is lanceolate or elliptical with dark green leaves. The young leaves are hairy while older leaves are glabrous.

Catechins, a powerful flavonoids has healing properties. It is called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. It can burn fat and able to lower elevated cholesterol especially bad cholesterol. Green tea is anti-virus controller.

The anti-oxidant of green tea are polyphenols, bioflavoids by neutralizing harmful fats. It can lower blood pressure. It blocks cancer-causing chemicals. It inhibit bacteria and other viruses. It improves digestion. It protects against ulcers and strokes.

Green tea has a green chlorophyll molecules. It has pro-anthocyanadins. It controls cancer. It protects the liver and brain against oxidation. It can cure gum disease.

Tea contains significant amount of caffeine. It safeguards against breast cancer and other forms of cancers. Has anti-bacterial properties against harmful digestive bacteria. It lowers oxidized LDL cholesterol. It raises good cholesterol.

Properties:  polyphenols, flavonoids, catechins (epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechins (EGC), epigallo-catechin-3 gallate), bioflavonoids (flayonoids, polyphenols, catechins).

Urinary tract can function well  in drinking a tea. Good for food poisoning. It soothes indigestion. It prevents cavities for healthy teeth. It reduces lesion in the aorta especially if injured or wounded).

It has a significant  cholesterol lowering effect. The chemical properties of pycnogenol can control the dangerous free radicals called nitric oxide. It is called a dilators by improving the flexibility of the blood vessels to avoid clogging. Helps to boost the immune system. It helps to prevent obesity by reducing fats. It has a bitter taste and stimulating effect.

It triggers contraction of the muscles. Good as mouthwash due to anti-bacterial properties. It has the capability to contract the  gum to keep them firm. It allows tightness of the set of teeth to prevent falling and loosening. As hair grower, putting hair stronger.

Uses: Hot water infusion of leaves. Tea can handle rigorous exercise by expediting energy. Best for hang-over and fatigue for too much consumption of alcohol.