Practical
Plants

Angelica archangelica

Angelica

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

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
biennial
Height
1.5 m
Spread
0.75 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.

All members of this genus contain furocoumarins, which increase skin sensitivity to sunlight and may cause dermatitis[10].

Edible uses

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

Leaves - raw or cooked[7][18][3][16][17][20]. A liquorice-like flavour[6], they can be used as a flavouring in mixed salads[K]. They are also used to sweeten tart fruits[K]. Stalks and young shoots - cooked or raw[7][17]. The stalks should be peeled[2], they can be used like celery[6]. They can also be used to sweeten tart fruits[20] and to make jam[13]. They are often crystallised in sugar and used as sweets and cake decorations[13]. The stems are best harvested in the spring[13]. An essential oil is obtained from the root and seeds, it is used as a food flavouring[19][21][1][6]. Root - cooked[7]. Seed - used as a flavouring in liqueurs such as Chartreuse[13]. A tea can be made from the leaves, seed or roots[6].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root
Plant part
Seed
Plant part
Stem

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.

Angelica has a long folk-history of use as a medicinal herb, in particular for the treatment of digestive disorders and problems with blood circulation[18][15]. The root is the most active medicinally, it should be harvested in the autumn of its first year of growth, sliced longitudinally if necessary and dried quickly[18]. If well stored, the root retains its medicinal virtues for many years[18]. The leaves and seeds can also be used[18]. The leaves are harvested and dried in late spring before the plant comes into flower[13]. The plant is antispasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic, tonic[18][22][3][9][19][4]. An infusion is used to ease flatulence, indigestion, chronic bronchitis and typhus[13]. It stimulates blood flow to the peripheral parts of the body and so is of value in treating poor circulation - it is considered a specific treatment for Buerger's disease, a condition that narrows the arteries of the hands and feet[15]. Angelica is contra-indicated for people with a tendency towards diabetes since its use can increase sugar levels in the urine[18]. This plant should not be prescribed for pregnant women[10], nor should the juice be allowed to come into contact with the eyes[13]. An essential oil from the seeds is sometimes used as a rub to relieve rheumatic conditions[13].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

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

An essential oil from the root and seeds is used in perfumery, medicinally and as a food flavouring[18][19][21][1]. The oil from the seeds has a musk-like aroma and is often used to flavour liqueurs[14]. The dried root contains 0.35% essential oil, the seed about 1.3%[12]. Yields of the essential oil vary according to location, plants growing at higher altitudes have higher yields with a better aroma[12].

Product or use
Essential

Environment

Range
Europe. Naturalized in Britain[5].
Habitat
Moist shady places in Britain[18][3][16][17].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, 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[8]. Seed can also be sown in the spring, though germination rates will be lower. It requires light for germination[8]. 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.

Requires a deep moist fertile soil in dappled shade or full sun[20][8]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.5 to 7.3. A very hardy plant, tolerating severe frosts without damage[18]. Although by nature biennial, the plants are reliably perennial if they are prevented from setting seed[8]. Angelica is occasionally cultivated in the herb garden, mainly for its culinary uses[19]. The plants have a pervading aromatic odour[18]. The growing plant is almost untroubled by pests and diseases[18]. It attracts bees and hoverflies to the garden, helping to create a natural balance of insect pests and predators[11]. When well-sited, the plant will often self-sow - sometimes to the point of nuisance[14].

References

  1. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

    ↩1↩2

  2. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

    ↩

  3. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  5. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  11. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

    ↩

  12. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  13. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  14. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

  15. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2

  16. Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8

    ↩1↩2

  17. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  18. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12

  19. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  20. Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn 1980-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  21. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

    ↩1↩2

  22. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩

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