Angelica is specified for lack of appetite, flatulence, dyspepsia, and weak digestion. It is also used as an expectorant in colds, coughs, and all upper-respiratory complaints. Because of its warming and stimulating properties, it is a warming circul...
* Please Note: This information is based partly on Traditional Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Description
Angelica is specified for lack of appetite, flatulence, dyspepsia, and weak digestion. It is also used as an expectorant in colds, coughs, and all upper-respiratory complaints. Because of its warming and stimulating properties, it is a warming circulatory stimulant, effective for all rheumatic complaints, including gout. Angelica root has definite emmenagogic properties and can be used to relieve cramps, delayed or stopped menstruation, and menopausal problems.
The context for its use for the above are hypotonic conditions associated with coldness. Angelica's emmenagogic properties also mean that angelica should generally be avoided during pregnancy, especially during the first term. Angelica should also be avoided by diabetics as it has a tendency to increase blood sugar.
Angelica combines well with other emmenagogic herbs. A good combination for toning and correcting amenorrhea or dysmenorrhea is a combination of two parts angelica and one part each of false unicorn root (Chamaelirium luteum), cramp bark, blue cohosh and wild ginger. For arthritic and rheumatic complaints, combine equal parts angelica root, guiacum, prickly ash, cinnamon and licorice. For colds and flus, combine angelica with other diaphoretic herbs such as ephedra, mint or lemon balm, garlic and a half part licorice to smooth out the action.
Angelica is routinely prescribed for conditions that include coldness, rheumatic complaints, digestive weakness and gas, menstrual irregularities, alcohol addiction, and coughs and colds. The bodily systems that are affected include the lungs, stomach, intestines, and the blood. Volatile oil, miscellaneous sugars, acids, flavonoids and sterols all make up the biochemical composition of the plant. It possesses pharmacological properties that are carminative, stimulant, emmenagogue, diaphoretic, and expectorant.
Angelica is also commonly known as masterwort, archangel, Holy Ghost plant, and St. Michael's plant, since it blooms on his day (May 8) in many parts of the world. Believed to be native to Syria, angelica is said to be a remedy for colds, coughs, pleurisy, flatulence, rheumatism, and fevers. In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, herbalists thought a bag of angelica leaves tied around a child's neck would protect against witchcraft and evil spells.
Plant Facts and Growing Tips
Plant: Angelica is considered a biennial, but it will live several years if the flower stems are clipped off before they bloom. The stem is round, hollow, and grooved, and branches near the top, where it is tinged with blue. The brown to red-brown roots have a spicy odor and taste that is sweet at first, then bitter and sharp. The seeds and an oil made from the stems and roots are used as a flavoring in many liqueurs. Leaves grow from dilated sheaths that surround the stem. Greenish white, honey-smelling flowers grow in umbrella-shaped bunches, blossoming from June to August. The fruit is oblong and breaks apart when ripe into a pair of yellow-winged seed cases.
Height: 4 to 6 feet.
Soil: Moist, rich soil, slightly acid.
Exposure: Preferably partial shade.
Propagation: Seeds are planted in fall during the third or fourth lunar phase and must be sown within a few weeks after ripening; otherwise, they lose their ability to germinate. They self-sow as well. Angelica can also be propagated from root cuttings.
Care: Space about 3 feet apart.
Parts Used for Tea: Leaves, seeds, and roots. It is best to harvest tender leaves before the plant flowers.
Taste: Resembles China tea in flavor, with a slight celery taste. If seeds or roots are used, they're often boiled along with juniper berries. Leaf tea is good with honey or lemon.
Health Benefits
There are many different species of Angelica grown all over the world from China through to the USA and Europe. However, the most popular medicinal species are Angelica sinensis and Angelica acutiloba, both of which appear to have very similar actions and potencies and depend on the concentration of a plant chemical known as coumarin.
Helps Hormonal Imbalance: The secret behind angelica's ability to effectively treat female hormonal problems lies in its high concentration of phytoestrogens. These plant-based substances are 400 times less active than the estrogens naturally found in the body, yet they exert a strong regulating effect on those tissues that normally respond to hormone estrogen. This helps explain how angelica can affect conditions that are characterized by both high and low estrogen levels.
In cases of menopause, characterized by low circulating estrogen, angelica can help stimulate the estrogen receptors on many tissues, including the reproductive tract. Alternatively, when estrogen levels are high or otherwise out of balance, as can occur in menstrual disorders, the phytoestrogens appear to work by blocking estrogen and its action on the tissues.
Research has now confirmed that the herb can help to relax smooth muscle which forms the wall of the uterus and other internal organs. When taken over the week before a menstrual period, angelica can help with abdominal cramps experienced by many women suffering from painful periods.
Immune Regulator: Traditional Chinese medicine has always formulated its prescriptions for cases of allergy to include angelica. Such ancient wisdom can now be supported by the finding that one of angelica's active agents, coumarin, enhances the activity of immune cells such as the macrophage. Such a powerful immune stimulation may also help explain how angelica-based medicines have been effective in destroying cancer cells and tumors. Another interesting aspect of its action on the cells of the immune system is an increased interferon secretion. Interferon isa special substance produced in the body that helps reduce the rate of cancer cell growth.
Dosage: 3 to 9 grams or normal tea infusion; of the tincture, use 10 to 30 drops three times daily.
How to Brew
Leaves - By Infusion: 1 teaspoon dried herb (or 3 teaspoons fresh crushed herb) to 1 cup boiling water. Steep to taste.
Seeds or Roots - By Decoction: Add 1 tablespoon seeds or 1 ounce root to 2 cups boiling water. Reduce temperature and allow the mixture to simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes or a bit longer to taste.
Angelica Liqueur
This isn't really a tea but rather an excellent liqueur:
2 ounce chopped angelica sterms
2 pints good brandy
1 tablespoon skinned bitter almonds (ground to a pulp)
1 pint sugar syrup (made by boiling 2 cups sugar in 1 cup water for 5 minutes)
Steep the angelica stems in the brandy for 5 days. Then add the almonds and strain. Add the syrup. Filter and bottle.
How To Take Angelica
As with all herbal products, follow the manufacturer's instructions on remedies obtained from health stores or pharmacies. However; for a tincture form (normally in 65 percent alcohol) take 15 to 20 drops three times daily or one capsule containing 250 mg of the powdered extract twice a day.
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Directions
Hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 tea bag for each cup into the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea).
Iced tea brewing method (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 tea bags into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of freshly boiled water over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the bags. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste. [A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to double the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water].
Cautions
Toxicity: There have been no cases of acute toxicity reported for angelica although a light-sensitive rash may develop in a minority of those taking the herb.
Drug-Herb Interactions: No reported cases.
Additional Information
ZooScape is proud to be the exclusive distributor of TerraVita teas, herbs and supplements in the United States, Canada and around the world. Please direct all wholesale and bulk inquiries to Simona Heather at 905-494-1785.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
