Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

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Apium graveolens L.

Family

Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)

Synonym(s)

English name(s)

Wild Celery

Arabic Name(s)

karafs كرفس

Hebrew Name(s)

karpas reikhani

כַּרְפָּס רֵיחָנִי

Life Form

Annual

Habitat

Humid habitats

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Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Other Uses

Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Apium graveolens L.

System/State	Traditional Complaint/Use	Activity / Interpretation	Traditional Preparation/ Administration	Parts Used	Source
Dermatological	Itch /scabies	Anti-pruritic, Scabicide	Mix juice from aerial parts + vinegar + rose oil & apply to affected area x 2/day for 4 days.	Aerial parts	B
Gastrointestinal	Abdominal cramps & digestive disturbances	Anti-spasmodic, Carminative, Digestive	Decoct fruit. (Admin. not specified.)	Fruit	Z
Gastrointestinal	Food poisoning	Anti-Infective	Decoct leaves in water, then cook decoction + pomegranate juice + sugar; eat x1/day for 3 days.	Leaf	B
Gastrointestinal	Gastritis	Anti-Infective, Demulcent	Prepare infusion adding 1 teaspoon of ground seeds to 1 cup of boiled water; drink 1 cup x1/day after meals for 15 days.	Seed	B
Gastrointestinal	Haemorrhoids	Anti-hemorrhoidal	Prepare mixture of root or leaves + parsley + radish (Admin. not specified.)	Leaf, Root	Z
Gastrointestinal	Laxative	Laxative	Prepare mixture of root or leaves + parsley + radish. (Admin. not specified.)	Leaf, Root	Z
General	Ascites	Anti-hydropic	Decoct fruit + caraway (Carum carvi) fruit + parsley. (Admin. not specified.)	Fruit	Z
General	Bloating	Anti-hydropic	Prepare mixture of root or leaves + parsley + radish. (Admin. not specified.)	Leaf, Root	Z
General	Fever	Anti-pyretic	Decoct fruit & root + Eucalyptus bark & drink.	Fruit, Root	Z
General	Strengthen body	Tonic	Leaf & root used. (Preparation/ Admin. not specified).	Leaf, Root	Z
Haematology	Spleen diseases	Non-specific	Grind root & leaf + fresh onion, mix + honey & eat for 6 days mornings.	Fruit, Leaf, Root	Z
Infectious Diseases	Leprosy	Anti-Infective	Grind leaves, mix +1 teaspoon ammonia + honey & apply to affected area x 2/day for 1 week.	Leaf	B
Kidney & Urinary Tract	Increase urine	Diuretic	1. Prepare mixture of root or leaves + parsley + radish. (Admin. not specified.) 2. Decoct fruit + Carum fruit + parsley. (Admin. not specified.) 3. Prepare infusion of root & fresh leaf & drink. Can also rub on abdomen Curcuma sp. in araq. 4. Decoct fruit, leaf & root + parsley & drink. Can also rub on abdomen Curcuma sp. in araq. ( Z notes that in preparations 3 & 4 the plant part is unclear but seems to refer to root and/or leaves)	Leaf, Root	Z
Kidney & Urinary Tract	Kidney stones	Anti-lithic	(Recipes 1& 2 are "to expel" kidney stones) 1. Prepare mixture of root or leaves + parsley + radish. (Admin. not specified.) (Z) 2. Decoct fruit + Carum fruit + parsley. (Admin. not specified.)(Z) 3. Mix seeds + equal amounts of parsley +mustard + watercress seeds; grind & eat x1 teaspoon x3/day. (B)	Leaf, Root	Z
Kidney & Urinary Tract	Urinary retention	Deobstruent	Prepare infusion by adding 1 teaspoon of ground seeds to 1 cup boiled water; drink 1 cup x2/day after meals for 10 days.	Seed	B
Kidney & Urinary Tract	Urinary tract antiseptic	Anti-septic	Prepare infusion of fruit, leaf & root, strain & drink.	Fruit, Leaf, Root	Z
Mens Health	Prostate inflammation	Anti-inflammatory, Prostate health	Decoct aerial parts + parsley, mix + small amount carrot juice + whale liver oil + pollen & drink 1 cup x3/day.	Aerial parts	B
Mens Health/ Sexuality	Impotence	Aphrodisiac	Decoct leaves & drink 1 cup x1/day for 1 mth.	Leaf	B
Mental Health	Depression	Anti-depressant	Eat fruit, leaf & root for 6 months. (Details of preparation not specified).	Fruit, Leaf, Root	Z
Musculoskeletal/ Joints	Rheumatism/ rheumatic diseases	Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory	1. Add fresh aerial parts to salad & eat daily until recovery. (B) 2. Eat fruit, leaf & root for 6 months. (Details of preparation not specified) (Z)	Aerial parts, Fruit, Leaf, Root	B, Z
Nervous System	Nerve weakness	Nervine	Eat fruit, leaf & root for 6 months.(Details of preparation not specified).	Fruit, Leaf, Root	Z
Oral Health	Gingivitis	Anti-gum disease	Use fruit. (Preparation/ Admin. not specified).	Fruit	Z
Oral Health	Toothache	Analgesic	Use fruit. (Preparation/ Admin. not specified.)	Fruit	Z
Poisoning	Antidote to poisons	Antidote	Decoct fruit. (Admin.not specified).	Fruit	Z
Sexuality	Sexual weakness	Aphrodisiac	Eat fruit, leaf & root for 6 mths. (Preparation details not specified).	Fruit, Leaf, Root	Z

Other Uses

Apium graveolens L.

System/State	Complaint / Use	Activity / Interpretation	Traditional Preparation/Administration	Parts Used	Source
Culinary	Vegetable & soup seasoning	Seasoning	Eat leaf & root	Leaf, Root	Z

System/State

Complaint / Use

Activity / Interpretation

Traditional
Preparation/Administration

Parts Used

Source

Culinary

Vegetable & soup seasoning

Seasoning

Eat leaf & root

Leaf, Root

The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.

Notes

The word "fruit" in some preparations for this species refers to very small seeds..

Cautions

Apium graveolens may cause allergies, bleeding, low BP & kidney problems. In pregnancy large amounts of celery oil & celery seeds may cause uterine contractions & miscarriage.