As angelic as this herbs name is, so are its benefits. Angelica is very majestic in appearance, bright and light. It presents its sunny character with its radiant flowers and its balsamic, soothing scent supports this. Its bitter substances and essential oils have significant effects on the digestive organs. Angelica is basically antispasmodic and thus improves the outflow of bile into the relaxed intestines. Its bitter substances also stimulate the secretion of the digestive glands, thus supporting the stomach, pancreas and liver in their part in digestion. Due to the coumarins it contains, it gently influences the blood flow properties and promotes good blood circulation in the tissues. Due to this action, it is also said to have expectorant properties, especially in chronic congestion in the deep bronchial structures. Its essential oils have an additional antimicrobial effect, especially on intestinal and bronchial pathogens.
History & Folklore
Angelica root has a very long tradition in folk medicine. First of all, the medicinal plant appears in the history of the Nordic people, because angelica root is native to the north. The story says that an angel sent angelica root to the earth in times of great need. A saintly man found it and used it as a remedy against the plague. This is how the name angelica root came about, whose name is derived from this legend. In the 10th century, the Vikings brought the plant to Central Europe as a commodity. Later, the plant was cultivated in monastic gardens and was also used by Paracelsus as a universal remedy. In Norway and Iceland, the root is still prepared as a vegetable. Today, angelica is grown agriculturally in Germany, France and Belgium.
Habitat & Cultivation
The medicinal angelica is widespread in northern and eastern Europe as well as Siberia, the Himalayas, southern Greenland and North America. It is rather rare in central Europe and only occurs in moist locations. It is also cultivated. Medicinal angelica grows in wet meadows, on banks. It occurs mainly on wet, occasionally flooded, nutrient-rich clay soils. The plant can grow up to two meters tall and grows very quickly. Angelica blooms in summer, from June to July. However, usually only the roots and rootstocks of the medicinal plant are used. You can harvest them in spring and autumn.
Uses
Digestive Problems The ingredients of the plant in its entirety help with indigestion. The constituents already develop their effect in the mouth, saliva begins to flow in the mouth. In the stomach, digestive juices are released and the gallbladder releases its bile. On their way through the digestive organs, the various active ingredients act directly at the location of the problems.
Blood Flow The medicinal plant helps with poor blood circulation. It helps transport blood to areas that are narrow, such as the hands and feet.
Respiratory Conditions Angelica balms have warming, antiseptic, relaxing, relieving and expectorant properties. They are used for symptomatic treatment of cold symptoms such as cold and cough, and for this purpose are applied to the chest, back and, in case of cold, on the nostrils.
Parts used
Root
Leaves
Stems
Seeds
Constituents
Volatile Oil
Beta-phellandrene
Lactones
Coumarins
References
- Chevallier, Andrew, FNIMH; Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine - 550 Herbs and Remedies for Common Ailments; 3. Edition 2016; ISBN: 978-0-2412-2944-6; Page 168-169.
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