SEPTEMBER 2010 HERB/SPICE OF THE MONTH

celery seeds (Apium graveolens)

NUTRITIONAL INFO
flavonoids, linoleic acid, different volatile oils, and coumarins (see Medicinal Use) (1), amino acids, calcium, choline, essential fatty acids, folate, inositol, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sulfur, zinc, vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, C, E, K (2), riboflavin, pantothenic acid (12). Two medium stalks of celery pack a real nutritional punch. (7)

MEDICINAL USE
For UTIs, antibacterial, colds, flu, water retention, arthritis relief, problems involving spleen or liver, and a diuretic. (1) Studies on animals suggest celery seed may also lower blood pressure and cholesterol. (1)(2)
Coumarins (also in the celery stalks) are useful in cancer prevention. (11)
For rheumatism, arthritis, & gout. Aids digestion of protein; contains 8 different families of anti-cancer compounds. (2)
An antiseptic, diuretic, menstrual discomfort, anxiety, cancer agents. (3)
The seeds can be used as a carminative & sedative (see Decoction under RECIPES)(10)

MORE...
These small seeds are found in the flower of the celery plant, generally brown. (1) They are somewhat astringent (2) and pungent (9).
The root of celery is also edible (celery root/celeriac) and is great in white bean soup.
Leaf celery (A.g.L. var. secalinum) is grown in Asia & the Mediterranean regions for its leaves & seeds. Celery was cultivated for medicinal purposes before 850 B.C. The Italians domesticated celery as a veggie in the 17th century. After years of domestication, selection eliminated bitterness & strong flavors. Strong flavors can also be diminished if grown in cooler climates & blanched. Blanching is the practice of pushing dirt up around the base of stalks while growing to prevent sunlight from turning stalks green. (6)
Celery seeds complement tomatoes & veggie juice (ie, Gazpacho) and potato salads.

CULTIVATION
Can plant seeds directly in garden when temperatures are above 55 degrees F. Two weeks before planting any veggie, put compost in your soil (up to half & half mixture with soil). Use fresh seeds for good germination. Sow 1/10" deep, lightly cover with soil (rake in) & water; don't let soil dry out for 3 weeks, or til germination. Once they're about 6" tall, thin to 10" apart, and 18" between rows. Don't throw away the seedlings that you thin - you can put them in (salads, sandwiches, or) soups. Mound soil around young plants to keep roots moist. Water frequently, but do not let soil get soggy. Water daily during dry weather. After seedlings are growing well, apply a side dressing (mix into soil) of nitrogen-rich fertilizer (3 parts seed meal such as alfalfa meal, cottonseed meal or soybean meal which is slow-release to 1 part blood meal which is fast-release). Occasional dressings of sulfate of ammonia is also good. Fertilize every 3 weeks. This site also gives other good tips, so check it out. (12)
Or you can start seedlings indoors. Sow seeds in individual pots or containers & just put a few in each pot. After they've germinated & are large enough, remove all but 2-3. As they continue to grow, thin to 1 per pot. Transplant outdoors after the last date for frost in your area (in Maricopa County, it's usually the end of February). Space plants 1' apart, in rows 2 to 2-1/2' apart. Requires lots of water during entire growing season & is a heavy feeder (see above method to fertilize). Grow in full sun (at least 6 hours/day or better, 10 hours/day for all veggies). Add mulch (1-2" compost is a good one; apply after soil warms up & seedlings are well established; water first; don't let mulch touch stems - leave a few inches). Mature in 120-140 days. See website for Pests & Diseases (which you shouldn't have too much of if you use compost & nitrogen-rich fertilizers above). Harvest after they're 1' tall. Companion plants: bush beans, cabbage, onion, spinach, tomatoes. (4)

CAUTION
People using diuretics should consult their doctor, since the herb is also a diuretic. Celery seeds may thin blood, so talk to your doctor first if you're taking blood-thinning meds. Do not eat celery seeds that are intended for planting (because they have been treated with pesticides and fungicides). Pregnant women should not take - may cause muscle contractions within uterus. Some people are more sensitive to UV rays, so do not use sunscreen - photodermatitis within celery seeds may increase sensitivity to sun. Some people are allergic to celery seed. (1)

SOURCES
1) http://www.herbalist.com/wiki.details/123/category/1/
2) http://www.familiesonlinemagazine.co/celery-seed.html
3) http://www.nutrasanus.com/celery-seed.html
4) http://www.gardenersnet.com/vegetable/celery.htm
5) http://www.gardenguides.com/how-to/tipstechniques/vegetables/vcomp.asp
6) http://www.foodreference.com/html/celery-history.html
7) http://www.michigancelery.com/celeryinfo.htm (also has recipes)
8) http://www.mothernature.com/Library/bookshelf/Books/41/10.cfm
9) http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Spicy-Encounter---Part-3-of-4---Pungent-Spices&id=221310
10) Lust, John. The Herb Book. NY, NY: Bantam Books, 1974.
11) Murray, Michael. The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods. NY, NY: Atria Books, 2005.
12) http://www.howtogardenadvice.com/vegetables/grow_celery.html

RECIPE(S) OF THE MONTH
DECOCTION: Boil 1/2 t seeds with 1/2 c water for 1 minute. Strain & drink for a sedative. (10)

CHICKEN SPROUT WRAPS:
I don't believe meat combines well with grains, so I wrap my meat sandwiches in lettuce wraps instead. I've had this recipe for years, so I don't remember where it came from, but when I was in Disneyland sometime in the early '80s, we ate at a restaurant inside Disneyland that served these sandwiches on Roman Meal Bread.
2 chicken breasts (bone in; free-range chickens)
2 c boiling water
1/2 t sea salt
1/3 c plain yogurt
1/3 c mayonnaise (homemade* - do not use canola oil which is a GMO)
1 T diced green onion
1/2 t sea salt
dash freshly-ground black pepper
1 c alfalfa sprouts (make your own - it's easy!)
1/2 c thinly sliced celery
1/2 t celery seeds
Lettuce leaves
Radishes, pickles (a good raw pickle recipe is in Aug/Sep 2010 Organic Gardening magazine), and other condiments
Take skin off chicken. Simmer in boiling water with salt, about 10 minutes, til tender. Refrigerate til cold. De-bone & cube chicken. Combine yogurt, mayo, onion, salt & pepper. Stir in chicken, celery, & celery seeds. Spread on lettuce leaves, topped with sprouts, then roll up. Serve with condiments & potato salad.

AUGUST HERB/SPICE OF THE MONTH

star anise (Illicium verum) (from China)

NUTRITIONAL INFO
In 1 Tablespoon, thee is 4% DV fiber, 2% protein, 4% calcium, 2% vitamin C, 12% iron. (based on a 2,000 calorie diet) (8)

MEDICINAL USE
For inflammations of respiratory tract & relief from peptic discomfort. It helps soothe coughs, cures bronchitis, & calms spasms of the GI tract & cramps. Three grams is the recommended dosage. (1)
Japanese star anise (I. anisatum) is antibacterial, carminative, diuretic, odontalgic, stimulant, and stomachic. (11) But two sources say it is toxic (see CAUTION).

MORE...
Star anise seed is the fruit of an evergreen tree native to China. Medicinal preparations are made by grinding fresh, ripe seeds. (1)
Has a licorice flavor. Both pod & seeds are used. Ue in soups, marinades, & spice mixtures. Star anise is one of the spices used in 5-spice powder. (2)
It is the main ingredient in an anti-viral drug that helps fight bird flu symptoms. (7)(9)
The tree is grown almost exclusively in China, Indo-China, & Japan. (10)

CULTIVATION
↕ 26' Propagated by seed. The fruits are harvested before they ripen, then sun dried. (10) Soil pH 6.0. Poor light, dry, well-drained soil. (5) Grows in mild upland areas where temperatures rarely exceeds 68°F. Requires well-drained, acidic soil & filtered sunlight. Needs ample water. May take over 5 years to flower but it's long-lived. (12)

CAUTION
Commercial star anise seeds may be adulterated with a poisonous seed, similar but slightly smaller & darker, of another plant. These have a sharp & bitter odor, resembling cardamom. (4)
The Chinese star anise is considered safe, but the Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum) contains sikimitoxin & is toxic. Once they are dried, they are not easily distinguishable. (1) (6)

SOURCES
1) Armstrong, David. Herbs that Work: Baed on the German Government's Commission E Report. Berkely, CA: Ulysses Press, 2001.
2) Bittman, Mark. How to Cook Everything Vegetarian. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Publishing, 2007.
3) http://hort.ufl.edu/shrubs/ILLANIA.PDF
4) Lust, John. The Herb Book. NY, NY: Bantam Books, 1974.
5) Kowalchik, Claire & William Hylton (editors). Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1998.
6) http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=24284
7) http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P2-8843534.html
8) http://recipeland.com/ingredients/show/star_anose_8555
9) http://www.copperwiki.org/index.php?Star_Anise
10) http://www.theepicentre.com/Spices/staranis.html
11) http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/a/anise041.htm
12) http://www.global-garden.com/au/gardenherbs4.htm#Star%20Anise

RECIPE OF THE MONTH
Chinese Wings: either take the skin off the wings or use another part of the chicken instead & take off the skin. Recipe at http://www.recipes4us.co.uk/BBQs/chinese_wings____cd___pic___110m.htm