Angelica
(Angelica archangelica L., Umbelliferae)
Be careful not to confuse this herb with Angelica pachycarpa, which is a purely ornamental plant with no medicinal or culinary value. A. archangelica has bright green basal leaves which divide into oval leaflets. A. pachycarpa has crinkled, shiny, dark green leaves.
Also Called: European or Garden Angelica.
Description: Perennial plant living for 2-4 years.
In the first year it produces a large rosette of leaves.
In the 2nd, 3rd or 4th year it produces flowers and fruits once only and then
dies.
The rhizome is only a few cm in length but it may often become almost as thick
as an arm.
The wild plants bear only a few conical roots; the rhizomes of cultivated
plants produce large numbers of roots, 1 cm (0.4in) thick.
Basal leaves, up to 90cm (3ft) long, are triangular, 3-pinnatisect; segments
4-8cm (1.5-3in), deeply dentate.
Stem up to 2m (6ft) high, hollow finely striated, up to 6cm (2.5in) thick,
with few leaves and large spherical umbels of white flowers.
Flowering: June-August.
Parts Used: Dried roots and rhizomes; rarely the young shoots and the fruit.
Habitat and Cultivation: Native throughout northern Europe.
In Britain naturalised on river banks and waste places, often abundant; it
is also a common garden plant.
It is cultivated from seed sown in autumn.
In the following September it is planted out at 50-60cm (20-24in) intervals
in deep soil which is not too dry and which has not been recently manured.
Drying is either in the shade or in sunlight.
Yield: 15-23kg (33-501b) per are (120 sq yd).
Constituents and Action Volatile oil and derivatives of
coumarin.
Stimulates digestive secretions, increases appetite and controls peristalsis.
In large doses, it stimulates then paralyses the central nervous system.
* Angelica tea is a stimulating tonic. Use it when an illness has left you
feeling weak.
* Use Angelica to ease the digestive tract. It eases colic, flatulence, and
spasms.
* It is useful in treating anorexia nervosa, cystitis and bronchitis.
* Angelica helps to regulate menstruation while easing menstrual pain.
Usage: As a tisane (infuse 1 tablespoonful of finely chopped
drug with 0.5 litre (1 pt) of water)
mainly to stimulate the appetite.
It is more frequently used in the form of a liqueur and the plant is one of
the principal constituents of many commercial liqueurs e.g. Chartreuse, Benedictine,
etc.
Caution: Angelica should not be used medicinally during
pregnancy.
Avoid excessive sun after using angelica oil.
Culinary Uses
* Chopped leaves may be added to fruit salads, fish dishes and cottage cheese in small amounts.
* Add leaves to sour fruit such as rhubarb to neutralize acidity.
* Boil the stems with jams to improve the flavour. Remove the stems before canning or freezing.
* Young stems can be used as a substitute for celery.
Other Uses
Use Angelica in baths and to make potpourri.
Cultivation
Angelica is a perennial that flowers every two years.
Start from seeds directly sown or begin seeds indoors. Seeds should be sown as soon as possible after removing them from the plant. If they must be stored, seal them in a plastic container, and store the container in the refrigerator.
Plant angelica in the coolest part of the garden. The soil should be deep, rich, moist and slightly acid. Soggy soil will cause the plants to die back. Transplant seedlings when they have four to six leaves. They have long taproots, so don't delay transplanting too long.
Once the plant flowers, it will not come back the next year. You can cut the flowering stem the first two or three years, but the fourth year will probably be it's last, so let it flower.
Red Spider Mites:
These mites attack angelica when conditions are dry, so spray the underside of leaves daily during dry spells. If your plants are infested apply sulfur. The powder will stick better early in the morning when the plants are damp.
