Buy Angelica Atropurpurea For Digestion, Circulation, and Other Benefits
Angelica has long been used in many different countries. Its name is derived from the Latin herba angelica, which means "angel's herb". People believed that angelica could protect them from the plague, witchcraft, and even poison. It also has many practical uses. The slender, thin leaves and their intricately folded petals act like wings as the plants flutter in the summer breeze. The species name atropurpurea means "deep purple," and the criteria for this epithet are evident in the stem-lined rubies.
The family name angelica comes from the plant's resemblance to parsley, which grows flat and symmetric. It produces umbels of multiple flowers on one stem that branch off at the same angle. During the summer months, the flowers are green and unopened. Later in the season, they change color and open up into aromatic clusters that eventually dry into small brown seeds. Angelica will grow up to six feet tall and three inches wide. Herbs in the genus Angelica grow wild in the northern hemisphere, but some grow prolifically for one year and then disappear for a few years. They then reappear in healthy amounts. These herbs grow in Labrador to Maryland and west to Iowa, Minnesota, and Indiana.
Traditional use:
The Missouri Indians had such respect for this plant that they called it lagonihah. The young leaves are eaten to relieve digestive problems and are also used as hunting bait. In the late 1600s, Virginia Indians were known to eat so much angelica that it smelled like it. These eastern Algoncans apparently planted the seeds and unused parts of the roots to ensure they had more, as they also used the herb for healing, hunting, and fishing. Some tribes use crushed roots and dried powdered stems to reduce skin tumors.
The Great Lakes Indians used angelica as a salve for swellings and tumors. Boil the root, then mash it into a slurry and apply it to the surface of persistently painful and swollen skin. Envelopes are known for pain relief. The Malaysian Indians of Canada used angelica root to treat colds, flu, coughs, and sore throats. It is also said to promote mental clarity and a sense of well-being. Many tribes blend the dried leaves into tobacco to enhance aroma and flavor. Traditional Iroquois healers used this herb as a "spiritual disc" for preventing spiritual anger and certain rituals.
Modern uses include the following:
Both A. archangelica and A. sinensis, or Chinese angelica, are commonly used by herbalists to treat a variety of ailments. Both angelicas are considered heart tonics, digestive aid, and circulatory enhancers. Additionally, they're used as a general tonic to maintain good health. Angelica rhizomes hold a range of medicinal and culinary purposes. They increase the liver's power and contain anti-biotic properties for the whole body. Root stumps and stems are also useful for preparing winter vegetables and condiments.
Angelica's commercial uses are practically limitless. It can be used to flavor liqueurs such as Benedictine and Chartreuse or mixed in with gin and vermouth to increase the flavors. The young leaves and shoots can be added to salads; the hard stems can be candied, preserved in syrup or even mixed into condiments. Its essential oil is used in perfumes, soaps, creams, and other cosmetic products.
warn:
Be sure to steer clear of angelica's poisonous relatives, hemlock, and cress. These plants lack the aromatic qualities of angelica.
Growth Requirements and Breeding:
Angelica likes ditches, banks, and lowlands in the wild, and prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil and partial shade. The best way to propagate angelica is from its seeds, which have a shorter lifespan. Sow them early where you want the plants to grow. Do not cover them as they need light to germinate. Our native angelica is basically an annual herb that needs to be self-seed in order to regrow. If you cut off the flower stalks early, the plant may live another year. Make an effort to grow a small group of angelica plants in the herb garden, as they are large, very attractive, and virtually insect-repellent.
