Species: A. archangelica
Genus: Angelica
Order: Apiales
Family: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)
Clades: Tracheophytes, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Asterids
"As the legend goes, Angelica was revealed to a fourteenth-century monk by the Archangel Michael as a plant that could help ward off the plague. This legend inspired the plant's botanical name, Angelica archangelica." A. Malek.
Belonging to the family of Apiaceae, Angelica is related to celery, carrots, and parsley. Its glossy, attractive leaves are complimented by beautifully fragrant, umbelliferous flowers; the plant can be found in the wild in Nordic countries, including Russia and Germany where it often grows near rivers.
Angelica roots have been used for centuries for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Today, it is popular in gins, liqueurs (e.g. Bénédictine and Chartreuse), fragrances, and bitters. The stems can also be eaten and are often candied in sugar syrup.
The plant contains bitter and aromatic volatile oils such as phellandrene (used as a fragrance), pinene (anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antioxidant), and bisabolol (antioxidant, antimicrobial). Angelica also contains phenolic acids, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as coumarins and furanocoumarins (which can cause photosensitivity in some individuals).
The bitter substances are primarily responsible for encouraging the secretion of digestive enzymes in the stomach, making Angelica a useful plant for loss of appetite, stomach ache (gastrointestinal ailments), indigestion, flatulence, and bloating, as well as related cramping. In traditional herbal medicine, Angelica has also been used as a diuretic, to treat arthritis, insomnia, menstrual complaints, and coughs.
Indications: digestive aid, anxiolytic, anti-fungal, overactive bladder (at night), frequent urination, rheumatoid arthritis, cognitive ability, memory, quitting smoking, loss of appetite.
Contraindications: Angelica may increase your blood pressure and interact with blood thinners. Additionally, plants in the Angelica genus may interact with drugs that carry a grapefruit warning. Angelica may cause uterine contractions, and should not be taken during pregnancy. In large quantities, Angelica plant oils can be toxic.
References:
Kumar N, Goel N. Phenolic acids: Natural versatile molecules with promising therapeutic applications. Biotechnol Rep (Amst). 2019 Aug 20;24:e00370. doi: 10.1016/j.btre.2019.e00370. PMID: 31516850; PMCID: PMC6734135.
Weston-Green K, Clunas H, Jimenez Naranjo C. A Review of the Potential Use of Pinene and Linalool as Terpene-Based Medicines for Brain Health: Discovering Novel Therapeutics in the Flavours and Fragrances of Cannabis. Front Psychiatry. 2021 Aug 26;12:583211. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.583211. PMID: 34512404; PMCID: PMC8426550.
van Wyk, B. & Wink, M. (2004). Medicinal Plants of the World: An illustrated scientific guide to important medicinal plants and their uses. Pretoria. Briza.
https://thedermreview.com/bisabolol/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelica_archangelica
Malek, Amy. "Angelica Archangelica Benefits & Medicinal Uses". Wishgarden Herbs. 2 January 2020. Accessed on 30 August 2022. https://www.wishgardenherbs.com/blogs/wishgarden/angelica#:~:text=As%20the%20legend%20goes%2C%20Angelica,for%20its%20multitude%20of%20uses.