Angelica (angelica, angelica)

Angelica or, as it is also called, angelica or angelica, belongs to plants from the Umbelliferae family. Some of its species are perennial, and some bloom only for two years. It is believed that historically it appeared in the north of Eurasia.

The plant has a fragrant smell. Angelica blooms almost all summer and actively bears honey.

Title in other languages:

• lat. angelica archangelica,
• English angelica,
• German Erzengelwurz.

The root of the plant is quite short and thick, in the form of a rod.

The stem is straight, hollow inside.

The leaves have a pinnate shape, with a jagged edge, they can even reach 0.8 m in length.

The flowers of the plant are small, mostly white, although sometimes they can have a pinkish, greenish or yellowish tint. They are collected in lush umbrellas of complex shape. One umbrella contains several dozen rays.

The fruit of the plant is two-seeded, flattened from the back, has wing-shaped ribs along the edges.

Some species of angelica can reach a height of more than 2 m, although there are species with a stem no more than 1 m long.

Angelica has approximately 116 species. However, only a few main types are used mainly for medicinal purposes:

• medicinal: used exclusively for medicinal purposes. Has the greatest healing effect;
• forest: it can reach a height of 2 m, its stem is thick, and when broken, it secretes white sticky juice, which is similar in color and consistency to milk. Blooms all summer, has a strong smell;
• marsh: reaches 1 m in height, also blooms almost all summer, and is most common in wet places and wetlands;
• Chinese: has a short stature and dense leaves. Contains many useful properties and is used in many preparations.

It is believed that the plant appeared in the northern territories of Eurasia. Mostly to this day, it grows in northern latitudes, as well as in New Zealand.

In Russia, angelica is quite common. There are approximately 80 different plant species in the country. It grows everywhere, more often in temperate latitudes. A large number of species were collected in the Far Eastern territories. Most often, angelica grows on river banks, near streams, in meadows where high humidity prevails. However, it is unpretentious, so it can be grown even in the garden.

As a spice, finely crushed angelica leaves are used. The root is also used, since by itself it is quite juicy and fleshy. It has a pronounced aroma. To prepare the spice, the roots of the plant are dried and ground. Sometimes even tea is brewed separately from such a powder.

Angelica is unique in that, with such bright aromatic properties, it grows calmly in a cool climate. In some countries, the herb was added to soups. In Norway, the roots were used in baking, and in France, the plant was used as an additive to drinks.

Angelica has the following characteristics:

• is a medicinal plant;
• has a strong aroma;
• has a spicy, at the same time sweet and spicy taste;
• is an excellent honey plant.

100 grams contains 10 kcal.

You can learn more about angelica from an excerpt from the program "1000 and one spice of Scheherazade"

In angelica there are in different quantities:

• essential oils (1%);
• resins (6%);
• acids (acetic, malic, valeric, angelic);
• tannins;
• Sahara;
• phytosterols;
• wax;
• pectin-containing substances;
• carotene;
• protein;
• cellulose;
• ash;
• calcium;
• phosphorus;
• vitamin C;
• vitamin B12, etc.

The accumulation of essential oils is most in the seeds and the root part.

The healing properties of angelica are used in many areas:

• they treat women's diseases;
• the plant is used to strengthen the immune system;
• it tones the body;
• angelica is used as an anti-inflammatory agent;
• often used instead of painkillers;
• promotes the removal of excess fluid;
• stimulates appetite;
• it also improves digestion.

Angelica? also has a number of disadvantages:

• promotes photointoxication;
• overdose can cause allergies and toxic reactions.

Angelica preparations can cause a rash when the skin is exposed to sunlight.

Care should be taken when collecting herbs in the forest, as there are poisonous plants that look like angelica in appearance.

It is not recommended to use angelica inside:

• pregnant and lactating women;
• To old people;
• people with diabetes;
• people suffering from heart disease.

An essential oil is made from the roots of angelica, which can later be used as a tonic and blood cleanser. The oil also helps in the fight against diseases of the digestive tract and has antitoxic properties.

Angelica oil stabilizes hormonal balance and helps in normalizing the menstrual cycle in women. It is used as a strong antiseptic, as well as for rheumatism.

Moreover, the oil has an excellent cosmetic effect, improving the condition of the skin.

The essential oil obtained from the fruit is often used to flavor various dishes. In all cases, the oil is obtained by steam distillation. Seed oil is often used in perfumes and cosmetics.

Angelica juice is used in the treatment of otitis and other diseases of the hearing organs.

The fresh juice extracted from the roots of the plant serves as a pain reliever and is often used for tooth or gum pain. It also helps treat a runny nose.

The scope of use of angelica in cooking is quite wide:

• they flavor food;
• fresh roots can be added to the taste of salads and soups;
• also jam and candied fruits are often prepared from the roots;
• dried and crushed roots give a unique flavor to pastries;
• crushed roots also add spice to sauces for meat and wines;
• tea is brewed from the roots;
• seeds for flavor are added to sauces, preserves, and alcoholic beverages;
• leaves can be cut into salads;
• essential oils also flavor dishes;
• honey is produced from angelica;
• it is added to the marinade for herring.

Petioles and stalks of angelica are used to make jams and marshmallows. They also make delicious candied fruits. A medicinal tincture is obtained from the roots. Sometimes the leaves and rhizomes are preserved.Some liqueurs use infusions from the rhizome.

• take 0.3 kg of rhizome, 3 liters of sugar syrup and 3 kg of apples;
• rhizomes are washed and crushed;
• then they are boiled in syrup for half an hour;
• add apples (should be small in size) right with the stalks;
• cook jam until done.

Tea needs rhizomes and other herbs. The rhizomes are washed and dried, and then added in equal parts with other herbs. Brewed tea will have an unusual aroma and have an excellent tonic effect.

Angelica is actively used not only in folk, but also in scientific medicine.

Angelica is used for many diseases:

• diseases of the digestive and intestinal tracts (gastritis, colitis, diarrhea, etc.);
• diseases of the genital organs;
• infertility;
• kidney disease;
• diseases of the gallbladder and ducts;
• neuroses;
• rheumatism or bruises, arthrosis;
• pediculosis;
• insomnia;
• pain.

Decoctions of angelica or preparations based on it are an excellent expectorant. Angelica helps relieve spasms, pain, cramps. It is used as an excellent anti-inflammatory and diaphoretic. It has a positive effect on blood circulation in the pelvic organs, and this helps in establishing the menstrual cycle, helps to reduce pain.

Angelica helps to treat infertility, amenorrhea. It facilitates uterine contractions, therefore sometimes reduces pain during childbirth. The plant allows you to increase the number of blood cells, and it is useful to use it in any form for anemia. Angelica also strengthens the immune system and stimulates the production of interferon.

Angelica is often used in the fight against excess weight, as it speeds up metabolism, improves choleretic processes, and also helps to remove excess fluid from the body, reducing swelling and helping the kidneys work better.

The scope of angelica is quite extensive:

• used instead of ammonia;
• fill with it the lack of trace elements in the body;
• used in cooking;
• added to livestock feed;
• used in cosmetology and perfume industry;
• used for medical purposes.

Roots, rhizomes are most often used as useful raw materials for medicines, while seeds, stem and flowers are used less frequently.

Rhizomes and roots are usually dug up in the spring, around April, and in plants in the second year of life. If the angelica blooms for only one year, then the raw materials are harvested in the fall. For eating, young leaves and shoots are collected. The collection is made in the spring, until the angelica began to bloom. After flowering, the leaves and stem are suitable for medicinal use.

Angelica can be grown in your garden. Special efforts are not required, as the plant is unpretentious and calmly tolerates low temperatures. Reproduction of angelica is done by seeds. They are sown closer to winter or, conversely, in early spring.

Angelica loves moist soil, which is rich in humus. It is better if it grows in the light shade of trees or in the sun. It is desirable that the places where angelica grows are rarely visited, since the stems of the plant break off quite easily, so it is easy to damage them. One angelica can produce up to 0.5 kg of seeds. Flowering occurs only in the second year of life.

• One of the names of angelica is "angelica".It is believed that the plant received it after Archangel Michael saved people from the plague with it.
• There are beliefs that an angel who appeared to him in a dream told about the healing properties of one monk.
• In warm climates, the plant begins to bloom by May 8. This is the day of the Archangel Michael.
• Since ancient times, it is believed that the angelica protects from evil spirits and evil spirits.
• Even Paracelsus called it a universal remedy for all diseases.
• In Lapland, there was a belief that angelica garlands hung around the house attract inspiration to creative people.
• In Chinese folk medicine, angelica is called a panacea for all diseases, which is why it is used in many medicines there.