Celery Seed Rushed

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32036, 10 July 1969, Page 1

Celery Seed Rushed

A rush on celery seed in Christchurch shops has been caused by reports, broadcast yesterday and on Tuesday, that a man in Britain had cured his rheumatism by boiling celery seed in water and drinking the product. Some retailers have exhausted their supplies. One said that he had sold 251 b yesterday.

“The treatment of various diseases with herbs or other plants is nothing new,” said Dr J. K. Laing, a specialist in rheumatism. “The symptoms of rheumatism might or might not be relieved by taking celery seeds, but this person’s improvement might just as well be the result of the

cup of tea he had after each dose. “Symptoms of rheumatism come and go of their own accord,” said Dr Laing. Seed wholesalers had not yet been affected by the rush, said a spokesman for a seed firm. His firm sold two grades of celery seed, one intended for planting, and one for culinary or medicinal use. The only danger, if any, in eating the seeds, would be from chemicals used to promote germination or yield, with which the planting grade was treated, he said. The grade intended for consumption was not treated with any chemical. Most celery seed was imported, he said, and he had no idea what chemicals were used in treatment.