Meaning of Angelica Root
Angelica Root is the root of any of a group of herbs called Angelica. The Angelica root has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems, including gastrointestinal problems such as loss of appetite, feelings of fullness, and gas.
What is Angelica?
Angelica is a plant which is a widely cultivated, scented, northern European herb with fleshy, an erect stalk, spindle-shaped roots, and many greenish-yellow flowers arranged in an umbrella-like shape. The seeds are oblong and off-white.
Angelica Common Name(s)
Angelica also is known as European angelica, Echt engelwurz (German), Garden Angelica, Chorak (Indian), Wild Celery, Holy Ghost, Norwegian angelica.
Angelica Scientific Name(s)
Angelica archangelica, synonymous with Archangelica officinalis.
Medicinal Use Of Angelica
The root of Angelica plant, seed, leaf, and fruit are used to make medicine.
Angelica contains chemicals that might kill cancer cells and fungus, reduce anxiety, and settle the stomach.
Angelica is used for heartburn (dyspepsia), intestinal gas (flatulence), loss of appetite (anorexia), overnight urination (nocturia), arthritis, stroke, dementia, circulation problems, “runny nose” (respiratory catarrh), nervousness and anxiety, fever, plague, and trouble sleeping (insomnia).
Some women use angelica to start their menstrual periods. Sometimes this is done to cause an abortion.
Angelica is also used to increase urine production, improve sex drive, stimulate the production and secretion of phlegm, and kill germs.
Some people apply angelica directly to the skin for nerve pain (neuralgia), joint pain (rheumatism), and skin disorders.In combination with other herbs, angelica is also applied to the skin for treating premature ejaculation.
Angelica is also used as a smell in aromatherapy to reduce symptoms associated with quitting tobacco (nicotine withdrawal).
Other Uses of Angelica
Angelica formerly was used as a sedative. The roots and seeds are used to distill a volatile oil used in perfumery and for a licorice flavoring in liqueurs and other alcoholic beverages. The candied leaves and stems are used to decorate cakes.
Possibly Effective for
- Indigestion (dyspepsia). A specific combination product containing angelica (Iberogast, Medical Futures, Inc) seems to improve symptoms of upset stomach including acid reflux, stomach pain, cramping, nausea, and vomiting. The combination includes angelica plus peppermint leaf, clown’s mustard plant, German chamomile, caraway, licorice, milk thistle, celandine, and lemon balm.
Insufficient Evidence for
- Excessive urination at night (nocturia). Taking angelica by mouth might help men with small bladders to reduce the number of times they wake up to urinate at night. But it doesn’t seem to help other men.
- Early orgasm in men (premature ejaculation). A cream made from angelica and many other ingredients might improve premature ejaculation when applied directly to the skin of the penis. The multi-ingredient cream studied in research (SS Cream) contains Panax ginseng root, angelica root, Cistanches deserticola, Zanthoxyl species, torlidis seed, clove flower, asiasari root, cinnamon bark, and toad venom. It isn’t clear if this effect is due to angelica or the other ingredients.
- Quitting smoking. Early research shows that breathing in vapors of angelica essential oil for 2 minutes a few times per day might reduce tobacco cravings. But more research is needed to confirm this finding.
- Bed sores (pressure ulcers). Early research shows that applying Angelica dahurica to a pressure ulcer might help it to heal faster.
- Anxiety.
- Nerve pain.
- Pain.
- Stroke.
- Dementia.
- Fever.
- Fluid retention.
- Increasing urine production.
- Intestinal cramps and gas.
- Menstrual disorders