23 Evecare • Vol 11 • No. 2 • Sep–Dec 2023 A graveolens is an ingredient of Himcospaz® (soft capsule) that is recommended as an antispasmodic. Traditionally, Iranians use A graveolens (locally known as Karafs) as an emmenagogue, diuretic, and carminative. The ethnic groups in Southern Ecuador use the stem and leaves of A graveolens to treat stomach pain, painful menstruation, and kidney problems. The Red Yao people in Jinping of Yunnan province in China consume the whole plant of A graveolens in the form of paste, broth, or decoction to treat high blood pressure, light-headedness, urethritis, and leukorrhea, and in the form of poultice to treat injuries from falls and fractures. Culinary uses A graveolens is used in culinary preparations in North Africa, Cyprus, Spain, Turkey, and Italy as a seasoning or as a freshly boiled, green vegetable. In India, A graveolens seeds are used as a spice. In Manyas (Turkey), the aerial parts of A graveolens are used to make stew or are consumed with eggs. The Batak Karo ethnic group (North Sumatra, Indonesia) consume the leaves of A graveolens as a vegetable and a spice herb. Morphology A graveolens is a deciduous, annual herb that grows to a height of 0.5 to 1 m. A graveolens is characterized by thin, branched, succulent, and ridged stems with a crown of rosulate, pinnate leaves and hollow stalks. It has a shallow tap root system. The f lowers are small and creamy white. The seeds are broad, ovoid to globose, and 1.5 to 2 mm long and wide.1 Habitat A graveolens is native to the Eastern Mediterranean region. It is widely cultivated in South and North America, Southern Europe, Asia, and Africa for its leaves (celery), roots (celeriac), seeds, and essential oil.1 Chemical Constituents A graveolens is a rich source of phenolic acids, quercetin, apigenin, chrysoeriol, luteolin, terpenoids, limonene, coumarins, furanocoumarins, apiol, apiin, fumaric acid, sedanic acid, sedanolide, tartaric acid, santalol, vitamins, and carotene.1 Apiumgraveolens as a flavoring agent A graveolens is used both in fresh and dried form. Its leaves and stalks are mostly used as a salad vegetable, whereas the aromatic seeds are used as a f lavoring agent in food. A graveolens seed powder is prepared by mixing ground seeds of A graveolens with salt, which is used to f lavor salads, fish, eggs, tomato juice, and sauces. The leaves, stalks, seeds, volatile oil, and oleoresins of A graveolens are used to f lavor canned soups, sauces, pickles, and meat.
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