Celery: Benefits, Uses & Dosage

Sanskrit: अजमोदा Botanical: Apium graveolens Linn.

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Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa)
Pungent (Katu), Bitter (Tikta)
Quality (Guna)
Light (Laghu), Dry (Ruksha)
Potency (Virya)
Hot (Ushna)
Also Known As
Sanskrit: अजमोदा, दीपक
Hindi: अजमोद

Ajamoda

Latin name: Apium graveolens Linn.
Sanskrit synonyms: Ajamoda, Ajagandha, Ayamoda, Dipya, Modaka. Celery seed used as digestive carminative.

Source: Sahasra Yoga, Drug Index (Synonyms and Latin Names)

Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

  • Deepani
  • Rochani
  • Vata Shamaka

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 1

How to Use Celery by Condition

Explore how Celery is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.

Classical Text References (3 sources)

References in Charaka Samhita

Powders of dhanyaka (one pala), ajaji (two palas), ajamoda (two palas), dadima (four palas), vrikshamla (four palas), sauvarchala (one pala), shunthi (one karsa), pulp of kapittha (five palas) and sugar (sixteen palas) should be mixed together.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 11: Chest Injury and Emaciation Treatment (Kshatakshina Chikitsa / क्षतक्षीणचिकित्सा)

), yavani (Trachyspermum ammi) and ajamoda (Carum roxburghianum) (in equal quantity) should be taken in a jar which is smeared with ghee, butter-milk.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)

Chitraka, pippalimoola, two kshara (yavakshara and sarjikshara), salt, trikatu, hingu, ajamoda and chavya are mixed together and trichurated with either matulunga svarasa or dadima svarasa and tablets are prepared.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा)

Triphala, kaṭabhi, chavya, pulp of bilva, powder of ayoraja (mandura), katutki, musta, kushtha, patha, hingu, madhuka, kshara of muskaka and yavakshara, trikatu, vacha, vidanga, pippalimoola, svarjikakshara, nimba, chitraka, murva, ajamoda, indrayava, guḍuchi and devadaru are taken in one karsha (12 gm) quantity and one pala each of five salts are taken.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा)

, kharasva (ajamoda)- Apium sitivaraka- Celosia argentea, ervaruka-- utilissimus (Roxb.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)

Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 11: Chest Injury and Emaciation Treatment (Kshatakshina Chikitsa / क्षतक्षीणचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)

References in Sharangadhara Samhita

Pippalyadi Churna: Pippali (Piper longum), Ela (Elettaria cardamomum), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Hingu (Ferula assa-foetida), Yavachara (barley preparation), Saindhava (rock salt), Sauvarchala (black salt), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), and Ajamoda (Trachyspermum roxburghianum) — made into a powder.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 2: Diseases of the Heart (Hridroga Adhikara)

Hingu and Ajamoda address Vata in the cardiac region.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 2: Diseases of the Heart (Hridroga Adhikara)

Pippalyadi Churna: Pippali (Piper longum), Ela (Elettaria cardamomum), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Hingu (Ferula assa-foetida), Yavachara (barley preparation), Saindhava (rock salt), Sauvarchala (black salt), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), and Ajamoda (Trachyspermum roxburghianum) — made into a powder.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 2: Diseases of the Heart (Hridroga Adhikara)

Hingu and Ajamoda address Vata in the cardiac region.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 2: Diseases of the Heart (Hridroga Adhikara)

Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 2: Diseases of the Heart (Hridroga Adhikara)

References in Sushruta Samhita

White mustard (Siddharthaka), Vacha, Hingu (asafoetida), Kushtha, along with Bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium) and Ajamoda (celery seeds) are beneficial for fumigating the child.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 36: Naigameshapratishedha

The Pippalyadi Gana consists of: pippali (long pepper), pippali root, chavya, chitraka, shringavera (ginger), maricha (black pepper), hasti-pippali, harenuka, ela (cardamom), ajamoda, indrayava, patha, jiraka (cumin), sarshapa (mustard), mahanimbaphala, hingu (asafoetida), bhargi, madhurasa, ativisha, vacha, and vidanga, plus katurohi (verse 22).

— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs

A compound made of powdered Vidanga, Patha, Tri-phala, Ajamoda, Hingu, Chakra (Tagara), Tri-katu, the five kinds of officinal salt and Chitraka, pasted with honey, should be kept for a fortnight inside a cow's horn covered with a lid of the same material.

— Sushruta Samhita, Kalpa Sthana, Chapter 5: Sarpa-dashta-Kalpa-Chikitsitam

The Pippalyadi Gana consists of: pippali (long pepper), pippali root, chavya, chitraka, shringavera (ginger), maricha (black pepper), hasti-pippali, harenuka, ela (cardamom), ajamoda, indrayava, patha, jiraka (cumin), sarshapa (mustard), mahanimbaphala, hingu (asafoetida), bhargi, madhurasa, ativisha, vacha, and vidanga, plus katurohi (verse 22).

— Sushruta Samhita, Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs

Ajitagada A compound made of powdered Vidanga, Patha, Tri-phala, Ajamoda, Hingu, Chakra (Tagara), Tri-katu, the five kinds of officinal salt and Chitraka, pasted with honey, should be kept for a fortnight inside a cow's horn covered with a lid of the same material.

— Sushruta Samhita, Sarpa-dashta-Kalpa-Chikitsitam

Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 36: Naigameshapratishedha; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs; Kalpa Sthana, Chapter 5: Sarpa-dashta-Kalpa-Chikitsitam; Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs; Sarpa-dashta-Kalpa-Chikitsitam

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.