If your joints ache with gout, rheumatism or minor arthritis pain, you might want to take a bite out of this vegetable stalk. Here’s why…

Celery contains many nourishing properties, such as potassium, magnesium and luteolin, an anti-inflammatory. Some modern herbalists believe that celery has the power to help neutralize uric acid and other excess acids in the body that can cause painful inflammation. Eat fresh celery daily (be sure to wash it thoroughly). The leaves on top of celery stalks are also good to eat.

If so much roughage is rough on your digestive system, place five or six clean celery stalks (including the tops and the tough parts) in a nonaluminum pan. Cover with at least three-and-a-half cups of water, and slowly bring to a boil. Then simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain and pour into a jar.

Dose: Drink eight ounces three times a day, a half-hour before each meal. You can vary your celery intake by drinking celery seed tea and/or juiced celery stalks, or do as the Romanians do and cook celery in milk. (Eat the celery, and drink the milk!) Celery is a diuretic, so plan your day accordingly.

Caution: Celery can interact with some medications, such as levothyroxine and lithium. Be sure to talk to your doctor before increasing your intake.

Thanks to WebMD.com for help with this tip.

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