PLANET - Sun

ELEMENT - Fire

DEITIES - Venus

COLOR - Yellow

FOLK NAMES: American Angelica, Angelica, Angel's wort, Archangelica, Archangelica Officinalis, European Angelica, Garden Angelica, Purplestem Angelica

PARTS USED: Leaves, seeds, root

PLANT: There are about 50 species of Angelica but only one is traditionally used in medicine, Angelica archangelica, also known as Archangelica officinalis. It is believed that Angelica is a native of Syria and was spread to Europe in about 1568 where it became naturalized. The plant prefers light shade, in moist areas. Angelica does not transplant well, so it is best to start seeds outdoors in the fall. Flower stalks will appear in the second year. Zone 4-9 and the suggested PH range is 4.5 to 7.0

NOTE: Angelica atropurpea, grows in the US and both have similar properties.

Angelica sinensis is also known as Dong Quai.

The whole plant is aromatic, but only the root is official in the Swiss, Austrian and German Pharmacopoeias.

PRODUCTION: Harvest the stems and leaves prior to flowering during the second year of growth.

Tie paper bags around the seed heads when they are close to ripening and hang to dry.
Harvest roots in the fall, during the first year of growth. Angelica roots should be dried rapidly and placed in air-tight containers.

ACTIONS: Aromatic, carminative, stimulant, rubefacient, diaphoretic, stomachic, tonic and expectorant

INDICATIONS: Flatulence, heartburn, colds, coughs, pleurisy, colic, rheumatism, urinary tract infections and menstrual complaints. Roots were used as a specific for Typhoid Fever.

USAGE: Candied angelica stems are used for decorating cakes and desserts. It will help to relieve indigestion, gas and colic. For colds, it stimulates the coughing up of phlegm and relieves bronchitis. It is considered a treatment in Buerger's disease (narrowing of the arteries in the hands and feet) by improving blood flow. It is also used for water retention.

PRECAUTIONS: Angelica should not be given to people who have a tendency towards diabetes, because it causes an increase of sugar in the urine.

PREPARATIONS: As a Diuretic - add 1 tsp seeds to 1 cup boiling water, taken several times per day.

- Grow in the garden to protect the home

- Use in protection and exorcism spells

- Wards off evil

- Add to the bath to remove curses and hexes

- carry in pocket as a gambling talisman

- Use in healing incenses

- When smoked, will purportedly produce visions

Gerard says 'it cureth the bitings of mad dogs and all other venomous beasts.'

- Norwegians make bread of the roots.

- Angelica is used in the preparation of Vermouth and Chartreuse.

- Can be used in the garden by cutting the hollow stalks into 6-8 inch lengths and placing them among shrubs as traps for earwigs.

- Angelica is said to cause a disgust for 'spirituous liquors'

- Used as a substitute for juniper berries in gin

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