Angelica
Angelica-atropurpurea

Other Names: Alexanders, Archangel, Purple-stem Angelica, American Angelica, High Angelica, Wild

Archangel, Wild Angelica, Masterwort

Habitat: Perennial/Biennial herb native to Eastern N. America from Newfoundland to Ontario and Minnesota, south to Delaware, Illinois, Iowa and Tennessee. Rich thickets, bottomlands, moist cool woodlands, stream banks and swamps. Cultivation: is fairly easy, seed is sown in spring. Requires a deep moist fertile soil in dappled shade. Plants are perennial if prevented from setting seed. A tall, stout very ornamental and aromatic plant with large white flowers, growing to a height of 4 to 6 feet or more. It has a smooth, dark purple, hollow stem 1 to 2 inches round. The leaves are dark green, divided into three parts, each of which is again divided into three serrated leaflets, sometimes lobed. The lower leaves are larger sometimes 2 feet wide. All leaves have flattened, inward curved, stalks with clasping bases or sheathing to form an elongated bowl which holds water. The root is branched, from 3 to 6 inches long, thick and fleshy with several small rootless, NOTE (the fresh root is not edible, said to be poisonous). Flowers are small and numerous, yellowish or greenish-white and grouped into large, compound umbels. The flowers bloom in July and are succeeded by pale yellow, oblong fruits, 1/6 to a 1/4 inch in length when ripe produced in somewhat rounds heads, which sometimes are 8 to 10 inches in diameter. Harvest stems when young and preserve with sugar for a sweet edible treat. Gather seeds when ripe and root in autumn. Root must be carefully dried and preserved for later herb use.

Properties: Used extensively by Native Americans, Angelica is edible and medicinal, the young shoots are edible in salad or boiled as a pot herb. It has a sweet taste similar to celery. Root, leafstalks and stems are often candied. The main constituents are volatile oils, valeric acid, angelic acid, angelicin, safrole, scopoletin, and linoleic acid, making it useful in the treatment of fevers, colds, coughs, flatulent colic and other stomach disorders. A medicinal infusion made from stems, seeds, and root is carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, sedative, stomachic and tonic. It is used for obstructed menses and should not be taken in large quantities by pregnant women. A very good tonic herb for women and children, the elderly or general debility, it is said to strengthen the heart. Powdered root is said to cause disgust for liquor. It has an antibacterial action, preventing the growth of various bacteria. The root contains vitamin B12, Zinc, Thiamin, Sucrose, Riboflavin, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, Fructose, Glucose, and many other trace minerals. Externally it is used as a medicinal gargle for sore throats and mouths and as a medicinal poultice for broken bones, swellings, itching and rheumatism. Used as a wash for the face it is said to prevent acme. Powder is used for athletes foot. Used as an insecticide and pesticide. Ongoing scientific research is indicating the use of Angelica in preventing or curing Alzheimer's, Diabetes, Stroke, Heart Disease, Cancer, Schizophrenia, loss of intimate desire (aphrodisiac), especially in women, Depression, Anorexia, Leukemia, PMS, Kidney Disease, Migraine Headache, ADD and more.

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Folklore: According to one legend, (European-angelica) was revealed in a dream by an angel to cure the plague (hence the name Angelica or Archangel). All parts of the plant were believed effective against evil spirits and witchcraft. It was held in such esteem that it was called 'The Root of the Holy Ghost.' In America it was used by the Iroquois and other tribes as Witchcraft Medicine, an infusion of smashed roots was used as wash to remove ghosts from the house. Plant (fresh root) used to punish evil persons.

TRY THIS RECIPES

Medicinal herb tea: To 1 tsp. dried root add 1 cup boiling water steep 15 to 20 min. take throughout the day and at bedtime.