Angelica archangelica
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Angelica Angelica archangelica |
Angelica - Angelica archangelica (in the Apiaceae or Parsley family)
Part used: Root, seed.
Taste/smell: Bitter, aromatic, sweet.
Tendencies: Warming, stimulating.
Dosage: Crush and infuse: 1 heaping teaspoon of root per cup of water; or 1:1 fresh root tincture: 25-50 drops in a little water. Ingest prior to meals or when symptoms arise.
Use: (a) Carminative, (b) Stomachic, (c) Antimicrobial, (d) Antispasmodic.
When used as a stomach tonic, the indications are gastrointestinal colic with gas and eructations. It has been shown to stimulate gastric and pancreatic secretions. Angelica can be used as an antiseptic, expectorant, emmenagogue and a diuretic. It is used to make liqueurs like Benedictine and Chartreuse.
The seeds contain essential oils, coumarin and furanocoumarins. The root contains bitters, resins, tannins, angelic acids, essential oils, and furanocoumarins.
Contraindications: In combination with UV-A light, the furanocoumarins may be phototoxic, photomutagenic, carcinogenic and cause photodermatoses. There is a potential for drug interaction with blood thinning agents, since coumarin-containing plants can cause thinning of the blood. It is contraindicated in pregnancy unless used under the guidance of a trained professional.