Apium graveolens

Apium graveolens L.

Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)

  • Wild Celery
  • karafs كرفس
  • כַּרְפָּס רֵיחָנִי
  • karpas reikhani

Annual

  • Humid habitats
Click Flora of Israel Online to view
distribution and other botanical details.

Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Apium graveolens L.

Medicinal Complaints / Uses
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.

Other Uses
System/State Complaint / Use Activity / Interpretation Traditional
Preparation/Administration
Parts Used Source
Culinary

Vegetable & soup seasoning

Seasoning

Eat leaf & root

Leaf, Root Z

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.

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

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