Herb of the Week

Herb of the Week: Angelica

This week’s herb is: Angelica

Angelica Archangelica [Archangelica officinalis, Angelica sylvestris, Angelica atropurpurea][Apiacea]Other Names: Garden Angelica, Angelica,  Angelica archangelica
Alexanders, American Dong Qui, Archangel, Purple-stem Angelica, American Angelica, High Angelica, Wild Archangel, Wild Angelica, Masterwort[ these are the names for American Angelica, Norwegian Angelica

Gender: masculine, Element: Fire, Planet: Sun,

Angelica  The plant grows to 6 ft (180 cm) tall. The erect, branching stem is purple, smooth, hollow, and sturdy. The leaves are divided into segments. The total width of a lower leaf may be up to 2 ft (61 cm). The plant has white to greenish flowers in umbrella-like umbels. One umbel may have as many as 40 branches and be up to 8 in (20 cm) across. The stalks can be eaten like celery, and the flavor is similar. Early American settlers boiled parts of the plant to make into candy and added them to cakes.  The roots and leaves are for medicinal purposes, also the seeds.
The stems and seeds are used in confectionery and flavoring and the preparation of liqueurs. The dried leaves, on account of their aromatic qualities, are used in the preparation of hop bitters.
The whole plant is aromatic, but the root only is official in the Swiss, Austrian, and German Pharmacopoeias. The aromatic root of angelica has widespread use as a purification herb among the Native American cultures.

Herbal and Healing:

Healing Properties:  carminative, stimulant, diaphoretic, stomachic, tonic

Angelica tea is a stimulating tonic. Use it when an illness has left you feeling weak. Use Angelica to ease the digestive tract. It eases colic, flatulence, and spasms.
It is useful in treating anorexia nervosa, cystitis, and bronchitis. Angelica helps to regulate menstruation while easing menstrual pain.
Angelica should not be used medicinally during pregnancy. Avoid excessive sun after using angelica oil.
The root stalks, leaves, and fruit possess carminative, stimulant, diaphoretic, stomachic, tonic, and expectorant properties, which are strongest in the fruit, though the whole plant has the same virtues.
Angelica is a good remedy for colds, coughs, pleurisy, wind, colic, rheumatism, and diseases of the urinary organs, though it should not be given to patients who have a tendency towards diabetes, as it causes an increase of sugar in the urine.
It is generally used as a stimulating expectorant, combined with other expectorants, the action of which is facilitated, and to a large extent diffused, through the whole of the pulmonary region.
It is a useful agent for feverish conditions, acting as a diaphoretic. An infusion may be made by pouring a pint of boiling water on an ounce of the bruised root, and two tablespoonsful of this should be given three or four times a day, or the powdered root administered in doses of 1O to 30 grains. The infusion will relieve flatulence and is also used as a stimulating bronchial tonic, and as an emmenagogue. It is used much on the Continent for indigestion, general debility, and chronic bronchitis. For external use, the fresh leaves of the plant are crushed and applied as poultices for lung and chest diseases

 MAGICAL PROPERTIES: Exorcism, Protection, Healing, Visions

Angelica is used magically as an herb for protection and exorcism. Grow it in the garden to protect the home. Make necklaces of the leaves, or carry the root in your pocket for protection. The dried leaves are burned in exorcism rituals. Add Angelica leaves to incense to promote healing.
To ward off evil spirits inside the home, sprinkle in all four corners of the house. This, and the burning of the leaves within the home, is also said to give a joyful outlook to the residents of the home.