Angelica (Angelica Archangelica var. officinalis, A, sylvestris, A. atropurpurea)
Folk Names: Alexanders, Alexander's Bellyache Root, Archangel, Aunt Jerichos, European Angelica, Garden Angelica, Goutweed, Herba Angelica, High Angelica, Masterwort, Purple-stemmed Angelica, Root of the Holy Ghost, Wild Angelica
Description: Angelica is a member of the carrot family. The thirty or so varieties of angelica may be biennial or perennial and prefer moist areas and riverbanks. It grows readily from seed, and the parent plant may be perpetuated for years if the stalk is cut before it can go to seed.
Though Angelica Archangelica may be found in Scotland, it is much more likely to be found farther north growing wild in Iceland or Lapland. It is the variety used most in medicinal applications. Archangelica has a round stem, grooved, hollow, and branched near the top with a blue tinge. It may grow from three to seven feet in height. The root is long and thick, spindle-shaped, and brown-red with a spicy, agreeable odor, and sharp, sweet but bitter taste. It has many smaller rootlets descending from it. Some specimens have been weighed at three pounds. The leaves emerge from dilated sheaths surrounding the stem. The lower ones are large and bi- or tri-pinnate, while the upper ones are smaller and pinnate. Greenish white flowers grow in large terminal, compound umbels with a honey-like odor from June to August. Each produces two yellow winged seeds, which are oblong and elliptic. The seeds are also sweetly scented.
Angelica sylvestris resembles European Water Hemlock so caution should be taken when attempting proper identification. The stem is purplish but gray with hairs, and the leaves are more sharply toothed than other angelicas. The flowers are pure white or purple tinged and smaller.
Angelica atropupurea, or Purple Angelica, grows in Canada and NE and N central US. It prefers rich, moist soil and partial shade. Purple Angelica can most often be found in wet bottom lands and swamps. It is a perennial with a thick, hollow dark purple stem smooth from four to nine feet high. The leaves grow from swollen basal sheaths. They are ternately compound with further divisions of 3-5 among the upper leaves. This angelica has large clusters of many white to greenish-white flowers on purplish stems from May to October.
Effects: strong
Planet: Sun, Venus Zodiac: Leo, Libra
Element: Fire
Associated Deities: Venus, Archangel Michael
Traditions:
Legend says angelica is a cure for plague, and it was chewed during WWI as a protection from the influenza epidemic.
The name is said to come from the belief that it blooms around feast day of the Archangel Michael (May 8). For this reason, it is connected to the observance of the Annunciation. It is also associated with Candlemas or the Feast of the Waxing Light. Angelica corresponds with the rune eohl-secg or algiz.
Some say it was grown in the gardens of Atlantis.
Magic:
Grown, angelica protects the home from evil spells. It may be sprinkled at the four corners of a house or the perimeter of a home to ward off evil and harmful spells, and it may be scattered outside the home to keep evil spirits out. Carried it wards off infection, pestilence, venomous poison, and mad dogs. According to some Native American traditions, it may also be carried in the pocket for luck in gambling.
Angelica root (other parts have a less enduring scent) maybe used as incense for protection, exorcisms, healings, and visions. Add it to healing mixes, especially for the nerves. Angelica enhances the aura, maintains a joyful outlook on life, and can be used in self-blessings and purifications. Chew it to prolong your life and keep evil spells and spirits away. If you wish a loved one to return to you, burn the whole plant and toss to the ashes to the four winds while chanting:
North wind, please to obey,
West wind, show him/her the way,
South wind, and skies above,
East wind, bring my love
To turn a spell back on its caster, rise on a Saturday before dawn and take some angelica root in each hand. Hold this tightly in your fist and say:
(Deity of choice), punish him/her who has done this evil and take him from us by the great justice, that the sorcerer/sorceress may be anathema and we may be safe.
Throw the root outside your door in the direction of your enemy or South if you do not know who it is. It may also be included in your bath to remove curses and hexes.
Known Combinations:
none noted
Medical Indications: (Caution: Avoid during pregnancy. Large doses may affect the blood pressure {raising it}, heart action, and respiration. Some people may experience skin irritation and photosensitivity. Positive identification is essential, as it resembles poisonous herbs of the hemlock family.) Parts Used : root, leaves and stems, seed
Angelica is an appetizer, carminative, expectorant, stimulant, and tonic. The seeds are diaphoretic and diuretic and are safe for pets. It is especially useful in treating allergic reactions to pollen, animal dander and dust.
The tea is for helpful for ulcers, vomiting, stomach cramps and muscle spasms, intermittent fever, nervous headache, colic, and weakness. It has been used since Roman times for nervous exhaustion and hysteria (sedative), epilepsy, poor digestion, gas and bloating, indigestion, and heartburn. Angelica root tea is useful for flu, flatulence, and stimulates kidneys.
A poultice may be made from large roots for chest pains and pneumonia. Mash root and smear on cuts and sores or use as a salve for rheumatism or a compress for gout.
Nutrition:
If the plants are well-grown, the leaves and stems may be cut for use in the summer. Otherwise, harvesting begins in the third or fourth year after the plant develops a flowering stem. Unless seed is desired, the stalk should be cut at or before flowering. The gathering of this flowering stem prolongs the life of the plant for many seasons, and by cutting the stem down almost to the base, the plant becomes almost a perennial by developing many side shoots. The root should be harvested in autumn of the first year (when it is least likely to be moldy or bug-eaten). The fresh root is yellowish-gray on the outside and yields a honey colored juice. An incision made in the bark of the stems and the crown of the root in early spring allows a resin gum to exude, ideal for incense. The dried root is grayish-brown and very wrinkled externally. The interior is whitish and spongy with shining resinous spots.
Angelica stems are candied for confections and the seeds and oils are used in flavoring. The fresh young leaves, twigs, and flowers are used artfully in jams, candy, and as edible salad garnish. The young leaves may also be cooked as a vegetable, though some find them too bitter. Boil them for fifteen to twenty minutes. The blanched mid-rib of the leaf may be boiled or used as celery. In Iceland, these and the raw roots are eaten with butter. The young stems are baked in hot ashes by the Finnish, and in Norway, the root is baked into bread.
The oil and seed is used as an aromatic in wines, vodka, chartreuse, vermouth, and other liquors. The flavor is likened to juniper, and it may be used in conjunction with or in place of these berries.
To make candied angelica, gather healthy stems and place them in boiling water until they are tender enough to remove the outer skins. Return the peeled stems to the water and bring to a boil once more. Cool the stems and add equal weight sugar to the water. Cover and leave the stems alone for two days. Place the stems and syrup in a pan and bring to a boil again. Preheat the oven to 200 F. Sprinkle the stems with confectioner’s sugar and place them on a tray. Place this in the oven until the stems are completely dried. Store in an airtight jar.
Mercantile Uses:
Angelica archangelica is grown commercial near London where it is cultivated to make candied stems. It is largely cultivated for medical purposes in Thuringia, and the roots are imported from Spain. Preparation of angelica is a small, but important, industry in the sought of France.
Angelica atropurpurea is a popular garden plant from Canada to the Carolina. The flowers are a favorite of bees if you cultivate them for honey. Angelica sylvestris is said to yield a good yellow dye.