An old Chinese proverb states, The loss of one night’s sleep is followed by ten days of inconvenience. Playing catch-up after a night of tossing and turning is not a fun task. Up to 48% of Americans regularly suffer with insomnia, according to the National Sleep Foundation. If you are one of those people, chances are you’ve tried one natural remedy after the other to catch your zzz’s. But you might have overlooked a simple remedy sitting in your refrigerator—celery!  This cooling vegetable can promote a good night’s sleep by bringing the body’s energy and internal temperature back into balance.

Celery is full of anti-inflammatory and cancer-fighting compounds. It can alleviate irritability, depression and anxiety and reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol. It can also aid in digestion and weight loss, help soothe menopausal symptoms and prevent gallstones or kidney stones.

Celery is often an accessory on a vegetable plate but is extremely versatile. Cooking or blanching vegetables makes them easier for the body to process and digest. Quickly blanching celery and then juicing it allows you to take in all of its beneficial properties. Try mixing its juice with warm milk and raw honey. Or sauté cubed celery with fennel in this delicious recipe.

Whether juiced or sauteed, celery is a great way to gently re-balance and cleanse the body.