Apium graveolens is commonly called celery. It belongs to the Apiaceae family of plants. Celery has a number of medicinal properties. The plant contains a high amount of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals that may explain its medicinal effects. The medicinal parts of the celery are found in the leaves, stem and roots. Studies have investigated the mood elevating effects of celery on laboratory animals. In one study, mice were given whole celery extract for 30 days and then exposed to experimental stress. The results showed that the celery was as effective as both donepezil and fluoxetine at improving spatial memory. The researchers also observed a small antidepressant effect from the celery. When the researchers investigated the reasons for these effects they noticed that celery extract was able to reduce the free radical damage seen in the brains of the animals. Degradation enzymes for a number of neurotransmitters including acetylcholine and the catecholamines were also reduced, suggesting that neurotransmitter levels of acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine may have increased.
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