What Is Angelica Root?

Angelica root is a biennial plant from the apiaceae family, and has been cultivated since the 10th century for its sweetly scented edible roots. It is often used to flavor candy and liquor. Native to many countries, it can be found growing wild in northern parts of Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Greenland, Faroe Islands, and Iceland.

There is a rich tradition of angelica as a cooking herb. The young leaves of angelica can be cooked as a vegetable. The stems of angelica can be candied, and may be used as a cake topping or dessert ingredient, especially in France. In the herbal liqueur Bénédictine, angelica root is one of the twenty-seven plants used as flavoring ingredients. Other herbs known to be used to make Bénédictine include hyssop, lemon balm, thyme, and orange peel.

Angelica root combines well with other herbs.

How to Use Angelica Root (Common Uses)

Taken internally as a tea or decoction, in capsules, and as an extract. Topically as an infused oil. Visit our herbal blog for more information on angelica root. European herbal medicine occasionally prescribes small doses of angelica root to children and breastfeeding women.

Medicinal Uses and Benefits of Angelica Root

Angelica is commonly used for indigestion, bronchial problems, and rheumatism.

When taken internally, angelica root acts as an expectorant and can help remove mucus and infection from the lungs in cases of coughs, colds, and bronchitis. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits and can help calm muscle spasms, making it an excellent choice for coughs caused by infection. We use angelica root as a bronchial supporting ingredient in our Lung Revitalizing Tea.

In European herbal medicine, you can often find angelica root used in herbal formulas designed for treating dyspepsia, nausea, digestive gas, menstrual cramps, coughs and colds, fevers, headaches, and nervous stomach.

Angelica has a subtle calming effect on the body. It can be taken internally as a bitter carminative to help relieve stomach bloating and mild gastrointestinal spasms. In our Digestion Stimulating Tea, angelica root plays a key role in stimulating gastric HCL and pancreatic juices, enhancing digestion and aiding absorption of nutrients.

Angelica root taken internally may have liver supporting benefits, and could help protect against liver damage caused by alcohol consumption.

Infused oil made from angelica root can be applied topically to aid help alleviate rheumatism and joint pain, however, when applied topically angelica root may increase skin sensitivity to the sun for some people.

Active Constituents in Angelica Root

Volatile oil, monoterpenes (beta-phellandrene, alphapinene), sesquiterpenes (beta-bisabolene, bisabolol, betacaryophyllene), phthalates, flavonoids, sterols, furanocoumarins (angelicin, bergapten).

Notable Facts About Angelica Root

Angelica is used in Scandinavia as a shamanic medicine. It is associated with Heimdall, the guardian to the gates of Asgard. Historically it has been used in spells for protection. Allegedly, the name ‘Angelica’ was given because this herb was revealed to humans by an angel as a cure for the plague.