Tukhm-e-Karafs: Pharmacological Insights and Unani Applications of Apium graveolens L.

Karafs, obtained from the entire plant of Apium graveolens L. (family Apiaceae),is a versatile herb widely recognized in various cultures. Its seeds, also called as Tukhm-e-Karafs in Unani system of medicine, are utilized globally as a spice, while the leaves and roots serve as components in culinary salads. Known by names such as Apio (Spanish), Céleri (French), Selderij (Dutch), Qin Cai (Chinese), and Syelderey (Russian), this plant is cultivated across regions including North Africa, Europe, Western Asia, and parts of India such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab. In Unani medicine, Karafs seeds are employed either alone or in compound formulations to address a range of health conditions. Pharmacologically, the seeds exhibit properties such as hepatoprotective, diuretic, and lithotriptic effects. In Unani medicine, the seeds are recognized for properties such as Kāsir-i-Riyāh (carminative), Dafi‘-i-Tashannuj (antispasmodic), Mufattit-i-Hasāh (lithotriptic), and Mudirr-i-Bawl (diuretic). These properties make them effective in managing ailments such as Hasāh al-Kulya (nephrolithiasis), Istisqā’ (edema), Nafkh al-Mi‘da (flatulence), and Ihtibās al-Baul (urinary retention). The widespread cultivation and multifaceted applications of Apium graveolens underscore its significance in both traditional and complementary medical systems.