Celery is great for health: it clears heat, aids sleep, and promotes beauty.

Introduction: Many people find celery to have a strong odor and an unpleasant taste. In fact, with the right pairings and proper cooking time, celery can be both delicious and nutritious. Most importantly, celery possesses four amazing health benefits. Below are four simple dietary remedies; interested friends are welcome to give them a try.

Celery is a plant of the Umbelliferae family, an annual or biennial herb. It has a rich aroma and a crisp, tender texture, and is rich in protein, sugars, carotene, B vitamins, and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, iron, and sodium, earning it the reputation of "fragrant celery" and "medicinal celery." Both traditional Chinese medicine and modern research confirm that celery has four remarkable health benefits when used as a dietary remedy.

1. Clearing Heat and Relieving Irritability

Celery is sweet in taste and cool in nature, thus it has the effects of clearing heat, relieving irritability, and detoxifying. It can significantly alleviate symptoms such as dry mouth and tongue, headaches, and loss of appetite caused by dry weather or "internal heat" (上火). It can also assist in treating conditions like excessive thirst during febrile diseases, painful urination, carbuncles and sores, and alcohol intoxication. The specific method is to take 200 grams of celery and 40 grams of shrimp. Wash and blanch the celery. First, stir-fry the shrimp in hot lard, then add the celery and stir-fry. Next, add a small amount of cooking wine, salt, and monosodium glutamate, stir-fry evenly, and serve. It is particularly important not to cook for too long to avoid the loss of vitamins and its crisp, tender texture.

Stir-fried Celery with Shrimp

2. Sedative and Sleep-Aiding

Modern scientific research indicates that apigenin and isoquercitrin in celery have sedative and calming effects. The apioside it contains can also significantly counteract the nerve-stimulating effects of cocaine, making it suitable for people with insomnia. Take 125 grams of celery root and 15 grams of sour jujube seed. Boil the two ingredients in an appropriate amount of water and take before bedtime.

3. Nourishing Blood and Beautifying

Celery is high in iron content, making it an excellent vegetable for patients with iron-deficiency anemia. It can also replenish the blood loss for women during menstruation. Celery is rich in ascorbic acid, which helps fight aging and promote beauty. At the same time, celery can also assist in treating irregular menstruation, abnormal vaginal discharge in women, and mumps in children. The specific method is to wash fresh celery, juice it, and add sugar to make a drink. Due to its distinctive odor, if you cannot finish the celery juice, you must wrap it in plastic wrap before placing it in the freezer.

Celery, Green Pepper, and Pineapple Juice

4. Calming the Liver and Lowering Blood Pressure

The Ming Dynasty herbal classic "Ben Cui Tui Chen" records that celery can treat "dizziness due to hyperactive liver yang, red face and ears, a heavy head and light feet, and an unsteady gait," which describes the symptoms of hypertension. Experimental studies have also proven that celery has significant effects in lowering blood pressure, dilating, and softening blood vessels. Therefore, regular consumption can lower blood pressure and prevent arteriosclerosis. Take 400 grams of celery, 100 grams of soaked dried bean curd skin, and 50 grams of ginger. Wash and chop them, then mix with salt, soy sauce, rice vinegar, monosodium glutamate, and sesame oil. Marinate for five minutes, then drain the excess water and serve.

These four dietary remedies are simple, convenient, and not "heaty" (上火). When you feel irritable, have a dry mouth, and lack appetite after a long day at work, you can give them a try. They have amazing benefits!

Celery with Chinese Sausage