Practical
Plants

Angelica anomala

a perennial member of the Angelica genus in the family Umbelliferae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.8 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

One report says that caution is advised in the use of this plant but it gives no reason[2]. All members of this genus contain furocoumarins, which increase skin sensitivity to sunlight and may cause dermatitis[6].

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The root is analgesic, antibacterial, antidote, carminative, depuritive, diaphoretic, poultice and is also used to treat women's complaints[1][2][3][5]. The drug (an extract of the root?) lowers arterial pressure, increases diuresis and stimulates contraction of the smooth muscles, especially the uterus, but without causing abortion[5]. The plant is used in the treatment of colds and headaches, coryza, leucorrhoea, boils and abscesses[1]. Small quantities of angelicotoxin, one of the active ingredients in the root, have an excitatory effect on the respiratory centre, central nervous system and vasculomotor centre. It increases the rate of respiration, increases blood pressure, decreases the pulse, increases the secretion of saliva and induces vomiting[2]. In large doses it can cause convulsions and generalized paralysis[2].

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Antidote
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Depurative
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Women's complaints

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Siberia
Habitat
Damp habitats in C. and N. Japan[7][4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe since the seed only has a short viability[4]. Seed can also be sown in the spring, though germination rates will be lower. It requires light for germination[4]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in the spring. The seed can also be sow in situ as soon as it is ripe.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

We have very little information on this species and do not know how hardy it will be in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.

Requires a deep moist fertile soil in dappled shade or full sun[10]. Plants are reliably perennial if they are prevented from setting seed[10].

There is some confusion over the correct author of the Latin name for this species. We have used Lallem. as is found in[12] and[9], but[8] and[11] cite Pallas as the author.

References

  1. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩1↩2

  2. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2

  6. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩

  7. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩

  8. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()

    ↩

  9. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (1985-00-00)

    ↩

  10. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)

    ↩1↩2

  11. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)

    ↩

  12. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (1965-00-00)

    ↩

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