Apium graveolens L. var. rapaceum (Mill.) Gaudin, Apium rapaceum Mill.
Family
:
Apiaceae
General Info
Description
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.
To treat diarrhoea, dysentery, hoarseness of voice, gravels, indigestion and loss of appetite, and impurity of breast-milk caused, bronchitis (seed decoction); rheumatism (fruit); as a very potent aphrodisiac (seed); arthritis, bruises, dropsy, dysmenorrhea, gout, hoarseness, indigestion, depression, nervous affections resulting from the degeneration of sheathing, scurvy and sores.
Contraindication
Pregnant women should not use celery seed because it may uterine bleeding and cause muscle contractions in the uterus. People with active kidney inflammation should also avoid this herb. Similarly, celery contains properties that may thin the blood, thus making it somewhat of a concern to take with blood thinning medications such as warfarin or aspirin.
Reference
Chandel et al., Biodiversity in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in India.
Grieve M. A Modern Herbal (1931) (www.botanical.com). Johnson T. CRC Ethnobotany Desk Reference (www.herbweb.com/herbage).