Angelica Root is an herb that grows in Asia, Europe, and North America. The herb grows near running water, along woodland edges. All parts of the angelica plant are useful and edible.
Angelica roots are easy to harvest since they are soft and fleshy. Angelica roots have a slightly sweet, slightly bitter, and earthy flavor. You can compare the root’s flavor to juniper berries. The herb has many uses, from treating heartburn, flatulence, anorexia, arthritis, to insomnia.
Angelica can even act as a pain reliever.
Benefits to Using Angelica Root
May Help with Anxiety
Angelica has a warm scent that is relaxing and calming to nerves. In a lab experiment, anxiety levels in mice noticeably lowered when testing the therapeutic effects of angelica. The root also displayed an anti-seizure and anticonvulsant effect.
Further testing is needed to verify the same effects in humans.
Help with Digestive Problems
Angelica root can treat digestive problems like nausea, flatulence, vomiting, and acid flux. It has a soothing effect and displays carminative properties.
Eases Cough and Respiratory Issues
As an expectorant, angelica roots help clear nasal passages by clearing excess phlegm. Clearing excess phlegm provides relief from nasal congestion, coughs, and colds.
Angelica has antimicrobial properties that can also treat sinus infections.
May Help in Treating Psoriasis
The root contains furocoumarins which help treat skin conditions like psoriasis and vitiligo. Some people have used angelica as a balm for soothing skin irritation.
Used for Detoxification.
Angelica root has diuretic properties that help with removing excess fluid and toxins from the body. It also increases the body’s rate of sweating which flushes out even more toxins.
Help with Treating Arthritis
Angelica roots have anti-inflammatory properties which help provide relief from pain. It has displayed properties that can treat joint pain and arthritis.
Help Prevent Cancer
Angelica root extract has killed an aggressive form of brain cancer in animals and test-tube studies.
While this application is unlikely to work on humans, angelica root can be considered a potential cancer treatment. Further research is necessary before you can use the root as a treatment for cancer. As it stands, the best way to fight cancer is still the doctor-recommended method.
Treating Wounds
Angelica can promote the creation of new blood vessels, which, in turn, promotes healing wounds.
There has been some evidence that it can promote healing to more difficult to heal wounds like diabetic foot wounds.
Help Provide Relief of Menopausal Hot Flashes
Traditional Chinese medicine prescribes angelica root for menopausal symptoms. They also prescribe angelica herb as a treatment for women’s hormonal problems. There is some evidence that angelica herb may increase or maintain serotonin levels in the body. It thereby reduces the severity and frequency of hot flashes.
Help treat Anxiety.
Some animal studies provide compelling evidence that angelica root induces relaxation and causing anxious behavior in animals to reduce.
Different Forms of Angelica Root and their Uses
Angelica root can is available in a few different forms, like:
Powder Form
Angelica Root Essential Oil
You can extract angelica root essential oil from angelica roots through steam distillation. The resulting essential oil has an earthy smell with hints of pepper, unique to the angelica plant.
Angelica root essential oil has many medicinal properties, thanks to the many active compounds it has. You can use the essential oil as an aphrodisiac in many traditional remedies.
The oil has anecdotal evidence showing its effectiveness in improving symptoms of an upset stomach. The angelica oil is part of a blend including peppermint leaf, clown’s mustard plant, caraway, German chamomile, milk thistle, licorice, celandine, and lemon balm.
You can also blend the angelica essential oil with other oils to get different effects. For example:
Warm and Cozy Aromatherapy Diffuser Blend
- Two drops of grapefruit essential oil
- Four drops of cypress essential oil
- Five drops of black pepper essential oil
- Six drops of angelica essential oil
This blend promotes a sense of calm security through winter.
Fertility Blend
To improve your fertility, blend these ingredients:
- Seven drops of frankincense essential oil
- Seven drops of angelica root essential oil
- Five drops of patchouli essential oil
- Five drops of ho wood essential oil
- Four drops of spruce essential oil
Mix the blend with your favorite carrier oil and massage into the soles of your feet. Use for 3-6 months before trying to get pregnant.
Dried Angelic Root
The root is dried then cut into several large chunks. Dried angelic root confers similar benefits to angelica root. Dried angelica root can be ground into a powder, then placed in pills, or used as-is.
You can take the root powder after it has boiled in water and allowed it to steep for some time, making angelica tea.
You can also use dried root powder in cakes, cookies, liqueurs, and confections.
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Precaution
Many sources emphasize that you should avoid angelica root when pregnant or breastfeeding.
The essential oil form of angelica can irritate the skin. It would be best if you stored it away from direct sunlight as it is phototoxic.
Consult a doctor before using angelic essential oil if you have diabetes or are breastfeeding.
Where to Buy
Online stores sell dried angelica herb from several different vendors. Some come in capsule form.
You can also buy angelica root from Mountain Rose Herbs through their website. They have a selection of dried angelica and oil extracts.
Conclusion
Angelica root is one of the most versatile supplements available in the market. You can use angelica extract in baking, alcohol flavoring, cooking, making supplemental teas, and as medicine.
It has a long historical record as alternative medicine. Many people use angelica herb to treat many ailments like cancer, an unsettled stomach, and many other conditions.
There is little evidence supporting angelica root as a medicinal supplement for humans. Most studies only show how angelica root affects animals. Some of the results are promising if they can translate to human use.
NOTE: Please, seek advice from your health practitioner before adding this herb and spices to your diet. Because some herbs and spices might contraindicate with prescription medication.
