| Latin Names |
English Names |
Sanskrit Names |
Apium graveolens
Linn. (Apiaceae).
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Celery |
Ajamoda |
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 History
Celery appears to have been known to the ancient
Hindus. The Arabians probably obtained their knowledge from
the Greeks. Mohammad Husain, who wrote in India about one
hundred and twenty years ago, informs us that 'Karafs' is
the celery of the Europeans and the Udasaliyun of the
Greeks.
Habitat
It is native to Europe and now
naturalized and occurring wild in the foothills of the
northwestern Himalayas and the outlying hills of Punjab,
Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It is largely cultivated |
in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
Morphology Description (Habit)
It is an erect, annual or biennial herb. The roots are
numerous, succulent and well developed. The stem branches
are angular or fistular, conspicuously jointed. The leaves
are oblong to obovate, pinnate or trifoliolate. The leaflets
are ovate to sub-orbicular and 3-lobed. The flowers are
white or greenish white and very small. The fruit (commonly
called seed) is a schizocarp consisting of two mericarps,
sub-orbicular to ellipsoid, greyish brown to brown with pale
ridges, aromatic and slightly bitter.
Principal Constituents
The fruits contain apiin, apigenin and chlorogenic acid.
Toxicology
No adverse effect was reported on use of this plant as
medicine in recommended doses.
Indications
Celery seeds are credited with stimulant and carminative
properties and are prescribed as nervine, sedative and
tonic. They are prescribed as a decoction or as a liquid
extract. The fatty oil from the seeds is used in many
medicinal preparations as an antispasmodic and nerve
stimulant. The roots are credited with diuretic property.
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