Leaf celery: benefits and harms, how to grow, use and store
Leaf celery is a type of vegetable crop that is very popular among people. This plant is used to improve the taste of dishes. It is often included in the menu for weight loss and is used to prepare folk remedies. The plant contains a unique set of vitamins and minerals. Because many people are interested in the benefits and harms of leaf celery and how to grow this crop.
Appearance
Celery is a fairly popular plant that has different types. So, there are root, petiole and leaf varieties. The latter variety has a large amount of green mass. It has the following features:
- the root is quite thin and goes deep into the ground;
- leaves are formed from a rosette, tightly intertwined with each other;
- height depends on the variety - the plant can reach 36-65 centimeters.
The edible part of this crop is precisely the leaves. In appearance, they are similar to parsley, but the aroma and taste are significantly different.
Instructions for use
Leaf celery is best eaten fresh. Any type of heat treatment reduces the amount of nutrients. Celery can be dried and frozen. Greens contain a lot of vitamin C, which is of great importance for the immune system and blood vessels. 100 grams of the product contains the daily requirement of vitamin C, A and beta-carotene.
This product includes many essential oils that activate the functions of the nervous system.Therefore, it is useful to use it in the morning to cheer up. This type of green can even serve as a coffee substitute. This is especially true for people who cannot drink this drink due to pressure fluctuations throughout the day.
When constipation occurs, it is recommended to drink celery juice, mixing it with water in a ratio of 1:10. The firming action of the product benefits breastfeeding mothers whose babies have intestinal problems.
Besides this, celery juice is useful before meals. This is due to the fact that this product helps stimulate appetite. In addition, the use of greens before meals has a good effect on the kidneys and helps relieve their inflammation. Also, the product copes with cramps during menstruation.
Leaves with honey are recommended for prostate diseases. To do this, the greens need to be mixed in equal parts with the beekeeping product and consumed 2 tablespoons 3 times a day. It is recommended to keep this mixture in the refrigerator.
How to use in cooking
Leaf celery is actively used in cooking. It can be used to prepare the following dishes:
- vegetable stews;
- salads;
- preservation - celery is especially successful with canned tomatoes and tomato juice;
- soups - fresh and dried celery is a great seasoning.
This type of celery is considered an integral part of Georgian cuisine. It is used to prepare lobio, satsivi, khinkali. Celery leaves can be combined with various spices, vegetables, boiled meat. They also go great with tuna. It will be possible to make the dish more he althy and tasty by combining celery with nuts, paprika and other types of fresh herbs.
Composition of leaves
Celery leaf contains many vitamins, making it extremely beneficial for he alth. This product contains the following components:
- potassium;
- iron;
- sodium;
- calcium;
- phosphorus;
- purine;
- magnesium.
Celery greens are rich in essential oils, chlorogenic and oxalic acids, beta-carotene. It also includes many vitamins of group B, A, C, E. Only 13 kilocalories are present in 100 grams of leaves.
Useful and harmful properties
Eating leaf celery has a beneficial effect on the body. If you include this product in your diet, you will be able to get the following effects:
- relieve inflammation;
- protect cells from the negative effects of oxidative processes;
- prevent cancer;
- clear the body of nicotine, radionuclides, toxins;
- strengthen the immune system;
- accelerate the breakdown of proteins, fats and carbohydrates;
- increase sex drive;
- strengthen blood vessels;
- normalize blood pressure;
- reduce bad cholesterol;
- increase hemoglobin;
- achieve a laxative effect;
- increase the overall tone of the body;
- cleanse tissues from excess fluid;
- prevent Alzheimer's;
- establish exchange processes;
- rejuvenate the body;
- reduce carcinogens;
- stabilize the menstrual cycle;
- to cope with the unpleasant symptoms of menopause.
When using leaf celery, it is important to consider that it has a rather powerful effect on the body. In this case, it is worth taking into account the following features:
- greens have pronounced allergenic properties;
- the plant can negatively affect the condition of people suffering from epilepsy;
- fresh leaves have a laxative effect, so people with intestinal problems should consume them after heat treatment;
- with hypotension, it is important to be careful not to provoke a greater decrease in pressure.
Growing Instructions
Slightly acidic or neutral soil is suitable for leaf celery. It is important that it be sufficiently loose. Seeds take 2-3 weeks to germinate. Therefore, the culture is best grown in seedlings. In regions with a warm climate, it can be planted directly in the ground.
When growing leaf celery, it is recommended to consider the following:
- Before planting, the seeds must be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate. You need to germinate them on wet gauze.
- For planting a plant, it is recommended to prepare a substrate by mixing sand, peat, leafy soil and humus in equal parts. After sowing, the seeds should be sprinkled with peat.
- At the stage of seed germination, it is recommended to maintain the temperature at +19 degrees. After the appearance of sprouts, it is reduced to +16 degrees.
- Planting work should be done in March.
- After the appearance of 2 leaves, it is required to dive the plants. In this case, the main root needs to be pinched.
Leaf celery is considered a very moisture-loving crop, but it can also withstand a short drought. It is recommended to water the plant 1-2 times a week. In order for the crop to grow its green mass better, it needs to be fed.
For the first time, fertilizers are applied 2 weeks after planting seedlings. To prepare the nutrient composition, you need to mix 40 grams of nitrophoska with 10 liters of water. After a couple of weeks, you need to use a solution of mullein. To do this, it is mixed with water in a ratio of 1:10. A month later, it is required to make a complex top dressing of Kemira Hydro. At the same time, it is recommended to take 10 grams of the substance for 10 liters of water.
Proper storage of leaves
To keep celery fresh for a long time, you need to do the following:
- Wash and dry the leaves. Then gently wrap in a paper towel, place in a bag and put in the refrigerator.
- Freeze whole or sliced.
- Dry in the oven. This must be done at a temperature of +200 degrees for half an hour.
Celery leaf is a very he althy and tasty product that has a beneficial effect on the state of the body. That is why it is so important to include it in your daily diet.
