ANGELICA

(Umbelliferae/Apiaceae)

This genus of about 50 biennials and perennials is native to temperate parts of the northern hemisphere. A. archangelica is found in Northern and Eastern Europe, to Greenland and Central Asia; A. polymorpha in Eastern Asia.

The name angelica is from the medieval Latin herba angelica, "angelic herb", and is thought to derive from the fact that in the old calendar, it usually came into bloom around the feast day of the Archangel Michael, the Great Defender, who appeared in a vision to a monk during an epidemic of the plague to explain its protective powers against evil, and to cure all ills. Its connection with the "Feast of the Annunciation" and the Archangel Michael may indicate pagan origins, taken over into Christian customs.

A. archangelica became popular in Europe during the 15th century and was rated as the most important of all medicinal herbs by Parkinson (Paradisi in Sole, 1629). A. polymorpha var. sinensis (commonly referred to as A. sinensis) is probably the most important Chinese tonic after Ginseng, dating back to about AD 200. It is a component of many Chinese patent medicines in Hong Kong, San Francisco, and Singapore, as well as in china.    A number of other angelicas are used in similar ways throughout the world, including A. atropurpurea (American angelica); the European wild angelica A. sylvestris; the Chinese A. gigas, A. keiskei, A. anomala, & A. pubescens; and the Indian A. glauca. The tonic properties are thought to be highest in A. polymorpha var. sinensis and A. glauca. Known as "choraka" in Ayurvedic Medicine, angelicas of various kinds are used manly as a tonic for women, and are often combined with Asparagus racemosus.

CAUTION: All angelicas contain furocoumarins which increase skin photosensitivity, and may cause dermatitis.

Angelica archangelica

(Angelica)

This tall, architectural biennial, largest of the Umbelliferae family, has large leaves and hollow stalks that make a tasty addition to salads when young, much like celery. Candied stalks have long been used to decorate cakes and puddings, and the seeds used in making vermouth and chartreuse.

Angelica has a long-standing record as a prized medicinal herb, highly valued by our ancestors as an antidote to poisons and a remedy for infectious diseases as well as to protect against spells of witches and evil spirits.

The British Flora Medica (1877) reported that "the Laplanders considered this plant as one of the most important productions of the soil... They are subject to a severe kind of colic, against which the root of Angelica is one of their chief remedies."

CAUTION: Do not take Angelica as a medicine during pregnancy.

Angelica has a sweet pungent taste and a warming effect throughout the body. Taken internally, it is of benefit for people with poor circulation who feel the cold in winter, since it improves blood flow to the peripheral parts of the body. It is considered a specific treatment for Buerger's disease, a condition that narrows the arteries of the hands and feet. It makes an excellent remedy for a weak digestion that causes nausea, indigestion, wind and colic. it has antibacterial and antifungal properties and a cleansing effect generally, helping to detoxify the body and enhance immunity. By improving blood flow and stimulating the coughing up of phlegm, angelica's warm, tonic properties bring relief from bronchitis and debilitating chest conditions, coughs, asthma and catarrh, and as a hot tea it will bring down fevers. It helps to regulate the menstrual cycle and relieve period pain and pre-menstrual syndrome. For respiratory conditions, the roots are most commonly used, but the stems and seeds may be employed as well. Angelica has an overall strengthening effect and acts as a tonic to the nervous system.

Angelica grows in temperate regions as far apart as Western Europe, the Himalayas, and Siberia. It prefers damp sites, especially near running water. Leaves and stems are harvested in early summer, and roots in late autumn after one year's growth has taken place.

Robust, aromatic biennial or short-lived perennial with thick, hollow stems and long-stalked deeply divided leaves. Umbels of tiny green-white flowers appear in early summer, followed by ovate, ridged seeds.

HEIGHT:       3-8 feet,    SPREAD:  1 1/2-3 1/2 feet.

PARTS USED:   leaves, stems, roots, and seeds.

CONSTITUENTS:     Volatile oil (consisting mainly of beta-phellandrene), lactones, coumarins, resins, sugars, starch.

PROPAGATION:  By seed sown in situ in autumn or spring (best sown in autumn, as the seeds benefit from exposure to frosts, or pre-chill in the refrigerator for a few weeks if sowing in spring). Seed is viable for one year only, but most plants tend to self-seed freely.

SPACING:      one square yard between plants.

CULTIVATION:  Rich, moist soil in partial shade, or in sun (mulched).

Remove flower heads before seed develops to prolong the life span of the short-lived species.

COMPANION PLANTING:  The flowers attract many beneficial insects, such as wasps, that prey on garden pests.

HARVEST:      Stems are cut in early summer, leaves gathered before flowering, roots are lifted in autumn (of first year), and seeds harvested as they ripen; all are dried for decoctions. NOTE: Skin allergen

PROPERTIES:   A bittersweet, aromatic, anti-inflammatory herb, that relaxes spasms, increases perspiration, lowers fever, and has expectorant, antifungal and antibacterial. Helps detoxify the body and enhance immunity. Acts mainly on bronchial, digestive, urinary & female reproductive systems.

CULINARY:     Foliage is eaten as a vegetable; young stalks are candied; Roots & seeds are used to flavor liqueurs incl. gin, vermouth & chartreuse. Leaves stewed with acidic fruits reduce sugar requirement.

MEDICINAL:    Internally for digestive problems, including gastric ulcers, anorexia & migraine sickness (for which it may be combined with Chamaemelum nobile), bronchitis, excess mucus, & influenza (combined with Achillea millefolium, or Tussilago farfara), chronic fatigue, menstrual & obstetric problems. Externally for rheumatic pain, neuralgia & pleurisy.

WARNING: not given to pregnant women, or to patients suffering from diabetes.

For stomachache/stomach spasm:

Mix 3 parts of a relaxing herb (German chamomile, lemon balm, etc.), to 1 part of a carminative herb and make an infusion. For the carminative herbs, use fennel seeds, anise, mint leaves, or angelica root. Drink up to 5 cups a day.

Crystallized Angelica

Ingredients:  1 lb. (young) angelica stalks, 2 1/2 cups sugar, 1 cup water.

1.  Wash the stalks and cut them in 3-inch lengths.

Boil in a little water until tender.

2.  Drain, remove the outer skin and place in a shallow dish.

Sprinkle the sugar, cover and leave on for 2 days.

3.  Transfer into a pan with the water. Bring to a boil, stirring all the time. Simmer until all the syrup is absorbed and the stalks are clear. Drain and cool.

4.  Sprinkle the stems with sugar to coat. Spread them out on a cake rack and allow to dry thoroughly. Store in airtight containers.

Angelica dahurica

(Bai Zhi)

Bai zhi was first mentioned in Chinese Herbal medicine in the 'Divine Husbandman's Classic' (Shen'nong Bencaojing) of the 1st century AD. The famous military physician Zhang Congzheng (1150-1228) classified Bai zhi as a sweat-inducing herb able to counter harmful external influences on the skin, such as cold, heat, dampness, and dryness.

Aromatic perennial growing to 8 ft. (2.5m). Has a hollow stem, large 3-branched leaves, and umbels bearing many white flower heads.

PARTS USED:   Root.

HABITAT & CULTIVATION:  Grows wild in thickets in China, Japan, Korea, and Russia. Cultivated mainly in central and eastern regions of China.

CONTAINS:     Bai zhi contains a volatile oil and the coumarinsimperatorin, marmesin, and phellopterin.

MEDICINAL:    The pungent, bitter herb is used for headaches and aching eyes, nasal congestion, and toothache. Like its cousins A .archangelica and A. polymorpha, it is warming and tonic, and it is still given for problems attributed to "damp and cold" conditions, such as sores, boils, and ulcers affecting the skin. Bai zhi also appears to be valuable in treating the facial pain of trigeminal neuralgia. A. pubescens is used in similar fashion in Chinese medicine.

CAUTION:      Do not take during pregnancy.

Angelica polymorpha var. sinensis

(Chinese angelica)

(Dang gui)

A wonderful tonic for women used for a wide range of gynecological problems. In the Chinese Herbal tradition, Chinese angelica is the main tonic herb for conditions suffered by women; it is taken by millions of women around the world on a daily basis as an invigorating tonic, helping to regulate menstruation and tonify the blood. Famous in China as a tonic, it is taken for "deficient blood" conditions, anemia, and for the symptoms of anemia due to blood loss/pale complexion, palpitations, and lowered vitality.

It has a sweet, pungent aroma that is very distinctive, and in China it is used in cooking, which is the best way to take it as a blood tonic.

Chinese angelica is native to China and Japan, where it is now cultivated. The best rhizomes are in Gansu province in China.

A perennial with a short rhizome, upright stems and pinnately divided leaves. Greenish flowers are produced in umbels in late summer, followed by elliptic, notched seeds.

HEIGHT:       2 1/2 - 5 feet,    SPREAD:  15 - 36 inches.

PARTS USED:   Roots (Dang gui).

KEY CONSTITUENTS: Coumarins, volatile oil (butylidine phthalide, ligustilide, sesquiterpenes, carvacrol), vitamin B-12, beta-sitosterol.

KEY ACTIONS:  Tonic, blood tonic, antispasmodic, sedative, promotes menstrual flow.

PROPAGATION:  By seed sown in situ in autumn or spring. Seed is viable for one year only, but most plants tend to self-seed freely.

SPACING:      One square yard between plants.

CULTIVATION:  Rich, moist soil in partial shade, or in sun (mulched).

Remove flower heads before seed develops to prolong life span (short-lived).

COMPANION PLANTING:  The flowers attract many beneficial insects, such as wasps, that prey on garden pests.

HARVEST:      Roots are lifted in autumn, leaves gathered before flowering, and seeds harvested as they ripen. All are dried for decoctions, infusions, and tinctures.

PROPERTIES:   A bittersweet, aromatic, warming herb that acts primarily as a tonic, especially for the female reproductive system and liver. It improves the circulation to the abdomen, and to the hands and feet. It regulates the menstrual cycle, relieves menstrual pains and cramps, and is an ideal tonic for women with heavy menstrual bleeding who risk becoming anemic. However, as it stimulates menstrual bleeding, other tonic herbs, such as nettle (Urtica dioica), are best taken during menstruation if the flow is heavy. It is also a uterine tonic and helps fertility, is a mild laxative, sedative, and painkiller with some anti-bacterial activity, it strengthens the digestion and is also useful in the treatment of abscesses and boils.

MEDICINAL:    Internally for menstrual, postpartum, and menopausal complaints, and anemia. Also used as an injection into acupuncture points, for painful injury, neuralgia, angina, and arthritis. Chicken soup with angelica root is a popular Chinese folk remedy after childbirth.

NOTE:  Not given to pregnant women. A skin allergen.

RESEARCH:

Research in china from the 1979's has shown that the herb regulates uterine contractions, which may explain its benefit for menstrual pain.

Research also shows that the whole plant, including the rhizome has an antibiotic effect.

KEY PREPARATIONS AND THEIR USES:

Chopped rhizome is commonly added to soups in china.

Tonic wine: To improve vitality, drink a wine glassful daily.

Infusion:   For poor circulation, infuse 1 tsp. with 1 cup water. drink 1-2 cups a day.

Tincture:   For menstrual pain, take 1/2 tsp. with water up to 4 times a day.

For aiding conception, take tablets or make a decoction using 12g of root to 750 ml of water and drink each day for up to 3 months.

Angelica atropurpurea

(American angelica)

Has similar properties to A. polymorpha, although it is less aromatic.

For heavy menstrual bleeding, mix equal parts of the roots of Chuang xiong (ligusticum wallachii), White Peony (Paeonia lactiflora), Rehmannia (Rehmannia glutinosa), and Chinese angelica (Angelica sinensis syn. A. polymorpha), and make a decoction using 15g of the mixture to 750 ml of water. Drink in 3 equal doses throughout the day.  NOTE: Any of these herbs will help, but they are best together, in which they are known as Four Things Soup.

Popular among the Shakers as a flavoring agent and medicine similar to A. archangelica.

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