Apium graveolens
Botanical Nomenclature | Apium graveolens |
Common Name | Celery, Wild Celery |
Taxonomy- Family | Umbelliferae |
Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Apium graveolens is a biennial herbaceous growing from 30 to 80cm, with smooth, pinnate leaves and small, white flowers. The flowering lasts from June to August and the harvesting takes place throughout the year. |
Region Found | Epirus |
Part of the Plant with Active Substances | The whole plant |
Active Substances | Vitamin K, C, B2, B6, A, calcium, potassium, folic acid, molybdenum, magnesium, phosphorus and iron, vergaptene (coumarin), essential oil (limonene, apiole), fats, vassorine, gum, flavonoids, glycosides, and finally, the root contains choline, starch and muck |
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The whole plant has anxiolytic, antirheumatic, laxative, diuretic, emmenagogue, stimulant and tonic properties. It is recommended for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and gout, rheumatism, urinary retention, hypertension and dyspepsia. |
Method of Administration | The plant is administered as diuretic in the form of herbal tea (10-20g of dried seeds, leaves, root and flowers in 400mL of boiled water, 2-3 times a day). It is applied externally in the form of ointment against rheumatic pains and in the form of poultice as inflammatory. Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions. |
Toxicity- Adverse Effects | No toxic effects are reported. Photosensitivity may be occured. Abortifacient activity is possible. |
References | 1) Bιβλίο: Τα φαρμακευτικά βότανα και οι θεραπευτικές τους ιδιότητες, Λάμπρου Π. Σπύρου, Αγροτικός εκδοτικός οίκος, Αθήνα 1981, Β' τόμος, σελίδες: 475 2) Βιβλίο: Οδηγός των φαρμακευτικών φυτών, Paul Schauenberg, Ferdinand Paris, Εκδότης Μ. Γκιούρδας, Αθήνα 1981, σελίδες 277-278, 3)http://health-from-nature.net/Celery.html 4)http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Apium+graveolens 5)http://www.science20.com/humboldt_fellow_and_science/blog/apium_graveolens_linn_has_medicinal_value 6)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20645778 |