(Not official.) - C12H14O4=221.48. A substance obtained from the fruit of Petroselinum sativum (nat. ord. Umbelliferae). Synonym.- Parsley.

Habitat

Southern Europe; cultivated.

Source

The fruit is exhausted with Petroleum Benzin, the solvent evaporated, the residue treated with strong Alcohol, on the evaporation of which Apiol is left.

Characters

A colorless liquid resembling a fixed oil, but not saponi-fiable, becoming turbid without congealing at 12° C.; 10.4 F., having an acid reaction, the odor of parsley, and a pungent taste. Sp. gr., 1.070.

Solubility

Easily in Alcohol, Ether, Chloroform, and Glacial Acetic Acid.

Dose, 10 to 15 m; .60 to 1.00 c.c., (in capsules.)

Action And Uses Of Apiol

Apiol in large doses acts as a cerebral and circulatory stimulant. It is useful in amenorrhoea, scanty menstruation and dys-menorrhcea when administered immediately before the expected period and these conditions are due to a want of ovarian activity; that is, where direct emmenagogues are required.