Apiol

/ˈæpiɔl/ noun

Definition

A colorless liquid compound found in parsley and related plants of the Apiaceae family, once used medicinally.

Etymology

From 'apio' (celery/parsley in Spanish/Portuguese) with the chemical suffix -ol (indicating an alcohol or phenolic compound).

Kelly Says

Apiol was actually used as a traditional abortifacient in folk medicine—it shows how plants that smell delicious at dinner can contain powerful bioactive chemicals that ancient herbalists took seriously.

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