Description:  There are 50-60 varieties of Angelica worldwide, all used more or less for the same purpose.  Some botanists believe this species of Angelica is a native of Syria now naturalized in Europe. It is occasionally found native in cold & moist places in Scotland, but more abundant in countries further north, as in Lapland and Iceland. It is supposed to have come to this country from northern latitudes about 1568.

Parkinson, in his Paradise in Sole, 1629, puts Angelica in the forefront of all medicinal plants, and it holds almost as high a place among village herbalists today. It is grown abundantly near London in moist fields, for the use of its candied stems.  It is largely cultivated for medicinal purposes in Thuringia, & the roots are also imported from Spain.

Its virtues are praised by old writers.  The name itself, as well as the folklore of all North European countries and nations, testify to the great antiquity of a belief in its merits as a protection against contagion & poisons, for purifying the blood, and for curing every conceivable malady.

In Couriand, Livonia, & the low lakelands of Pomerania and East Prussia, wild-growing Angelica abounds.  There, in early summer-time, it has been the custom among the peasants to march into the towns carrying the Angelica flower-stems and to offer them for sale, chanting some ancient ditty in Lettish words, so antiquated as to be unintelligible even to the singers themselves. The chanted words and the tune are learned in childhood, and may be attributed to a survival of some Pagan festival with which the plant was originally associated.

After the introduction of Christianity, the plant became linked in the popular mind with some archangelic patron, and associated with the spring-time festival of the Annunciation. According to one legend, Angelica was revealed in a dream by an angel to cure the plague.

The roots of the Common Angelica are long, thick, & carrot-like (it is a carrot relative).  The stems are ridged, upright, & powerful, the foliage is bold, bright green, serrated leaves. The flowers, small & numerous, greenish yellow & white, are grouped into large, globular umbels. They blossom in July and are succeeded by pale yellow, oblong fruits, about 1/4 inch in length when ripe, with membraneous edges, flattened on one side and convex on the other, which bears three prominent ribs. Both the odor and taste of the fruits are pleasantly aromatic.

Aerial parts are harvested in early summer, seeds when ripe in late summer, & roots in late autumn when the plant is 1 year old.

Main constituents:  Coumarins, bergapten, linalool and borneol.

Traditionally, dong quai is believed to have a balancing or adaptogenic effect on the female hormonal system. Contrary to the opinion of several authors, dong quai does not qualify as a phytoestrogen or have any hormone-like actions in the body. A large part of its actions with regard to premenstrual syndrome may be related to its antispasmodic actions, particularly on smooth muscles.

Properties:  Appetizer, Carminative, Expectorant, Stimulant, Stomachic, Tonic, Emmenagogue, Diuretic.

Uses:  Externally-Treats insect bites.

Internally-Angelica soothes toothache pain.

Breaks congestion.

Aids digestion.

Useful to treat Fibrocystic breast disease,
Menopause, anemia, weak glands, regulating monthly periods, correcting hot flashes and vaginal spasms (PMS), & assisting women through the difficult transition of menopause.

The upper part of the root is considered a great blood builder. The tails of the root is used in emergencies as a blood clot dissolver after serious accidents or for expelling the afterbirth that has failed to appear. The coumarins in angelica are valuable medication for reducing high-protein edemas, such as swelling of the lymph nodes (lymphedema). It is also used for treating psoriasis accompanying arthritis.

Safety Considerations:  DO NOT USE WHILE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING!

Can cause photosensitivity, and safrole is carcinogenic.  Use with caution.

Magical:

Folk Names:  Archangel, Masterwort, Angel's Wort, Alexanders 

Gender:  Masculine

Planet:  Sun

Powers:  Exorcism, Protection, Healing, Visions

Uses:

Grown, the plant is protective. Use in all protection and exorcism incenses. Sprinkle the four corners of the house with Angelica to ward off evil, or do this around the perimeter of the house. Added to the bath Angelica removes curses, hexes and any spells that may have been cast against you.Angelica is also used in healing incenses, mixtures and smoking the leaves is said to cause visions.

For Exorcism, use while calling upon Manannan Mac Lir. For Protection, use while calling upon Dadga, Danu or Manannan Mac Lir. For Healing, use while calling upon Diancecht, Lugh or Áine. For Visions, use while calling upon Medb.

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