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| Latin Name |
English Name |
Sanskrit Name |
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.
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| 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.
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| Morphology
Description (Habit) |
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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.
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| Principal
Constituents |
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The fruits contain apiin, apigenin and chlorogenic acid.
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| Toxicology |
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No adverse effect was reported on use of this plant as medicine
in recommended doses.
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| Indications |
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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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| Product
Range |
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Himcospaz (SpasmoCare).
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