Medicinal plants are used in traditional medicine to treat many diseases. Celery (Apium graveolens) is a native plant widely distributed in Iran. Celery plays a role in prevention of cardiovascular disease, lowering blood glucose, decrease blood pressure and strengthener the heart. This herb has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory effects [1]. Also, a powerful antioxidant property has been attributed to compounds such as apigenin, apiein, vitamins A and C. Recognition of plants in each region helps better recognition of restorable natural resources and characteristics of the medicinal plants and their applications. Here, the rate of essential oil from aerial parts of celery was investigated. For the purpose, four populations of wild celery were collected from the provinces of Hamedan, Zanjan, Urmia and Karaj. The essential oil (EO) obtained by hydrodistillation method for petiole, blade, total leaf (petiole + blade) and seed. The rate of essential oil changed in the populations, between 0.70-0.86%, 1.00-2.00%, 0.83-1.33% and 1.14-2.00%, for petiole leaf, blade leaf, total leaf and seed, respectively. In all populations except Hamedan population (especially for blade leaf), EO% was higher in seeds than in leaves. β-pinene, α-pinene, and D-Limonene were characterized as main components of essential oils according to GC-MS analysis, while their rates were changed according to the populations. Generally, celery widely used in pharmaceutical, food and ornamental industries, that causes its significant commercial value. So, various combinations and numerous medicinal properties of seeds, leaves and stems, cause the need further and more research about the other useful and unknown properties of celery.
