Celery Seed-Apium graveolens
Family:Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)
Synonym: Celery fruit.
General Description:A familiar biennial plant, 30-60 cms high, with a grooved, fleshy, erect stalk, shiny pinnate leaves and umbels of white flowers.
Distribution: Native to southern Europe;extensively cultivated as a domestic vegetable. The oil is principally produced in India, and also Holland, China, Hungary and the USA.
Other Species: There are many cultivated varities, such as celariac root (A,graveolens var:rapaceum) and the salad vegetable ( A. Graveolens var: dulce).
Herbal/Folk Tradition: Celery seed is widely used as a domestuc spice. The seed is used in bladder and kidney complaints, digestive upsets and menstrual problems; the leaves are used in skinailments. It is known to increase the elmination of uric acid and is used for gout, neuralgia and rheumatoid arthritis.
A remedy for hepatobiliary disorders, it has been found to have a regenerating effect on the liver. Current in the British herbal Pharmacopoeia as a specific for rheumatoid arthritis with mental depression.
Actions: Anti-oxidative, antirheumatic, antiseptic (urinary), antispasmodic, aperitif, depurative, digestive, diuretic, carminative, cholagogue, emmenagogue, galactagogue, hepatic, nervine, sedative(nervous), stimulant (uterine),stomachic tonic (digestive).
Extraction:Essential oil by steam distillation from the whole or crushed seeds. (an oil from the whole herb, an oleoresin and extract are also produced in small quantities.)
Characteristics:A pale yellow or orange oil with a spicy-warm, sweet, long-lasting odour. It blends well with lavender, pine, opopanax,lavage, tea tree, oakmoss, coriander and other spices.
Principal Constituents: Limonene (60 per cent), apiol, selinene, santalol, sedanolide and sedanolic acid anhydride, among others.
Safety Data:Non-toxic, non-irritant, possible sensitization. Avoid during pregnancy.
Aromatherapy/Home Use:
Circulation muscles and Joints:Arthritis, build-up of toxins in the blood, gout, rheumatism.
Digestive system:Dyspepsia, flatulence, indigestion, liver congestion, jaundice.
Genito-urinary and endocrine systems:Amenorrhoea, glandular problems, increases milk flow, cystitis.
Nervous system:Neuralgia, sciatica.
Other uses: Used in tonic, sedative and carminative preparations, and as a fragrance component in soaps, detergents, cosmetics and perfumes. Extensively used as a flavouring agent in foods, especially by the spice industry, and in alcoholic and soft drinks.
Reference: The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: Julia Lawless
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