Fragrant cure for travel sickness
Angelica (Angelica archangelica or Angel’s food) is a biennial member of the family Umbelliferae, which grows to about 2m in river valleys and damp meadows. It is a large aromatic hairy plant with hollow ridged stems and broad leaves which look similar to the leaves of celery. It has umbels of white/green flowers in its third year which go to seed and then the plant dies. Originally a native of Europe, it can now be found in most temperate regions and is grown mostly for the root and seed. There are over thirty types of angelica including A. acutiloba and A. chinensis, which is accredited with similar properties to ginseng and regarded as a women’s herb, but I shall concentrate on the European variety, which is undoubtably the most popular.
According to legend, the archangel appeared in a dream to the Abbot of a mediaeval monastery and revealed that the plant would cure plague. It is also said to bloom on May 8, the feast day of St.Michael, and is therefore regarded as offering protection against evil spirits and witchcraft. It was certainly highly regarded by early herbalists, who believed it would cure every conceivable malady including plague, poisoning, ague, and all contagious diseases.
The principal constituents are a volatile oil, lactones and coumarins; the essential oil is mostly betaphillandrene. In aromatherapy, angelica is used for a variety of ailments including psoriasis, anaemia, anorexia, flatulence, bronchitis, migraine, and dispersal of toxins.
It is antifungal and antibacterial, carminative and diuretic, a smooth muscle relaxant and a digestive tonic. Angelica is one of the many plants known as ‘friend of the elderly’, being able to increase the circulation of blood and therefore oxygen to the brain, heart, liver and intestines. The coumarins that have a proven ability to dilate the coronary vessels and relieve spasms are also calcium channel blockers, which are now coming to prominence as treatments for hypertension, angina and arrhythmia. Angelica is considered specific against Buerger’s disease, which leads to a narrowing of the veins in the extremities.
Research conducted in l976 and l983 suggests that the coumarins in angelica have immune-enhancing activities and will prove of importance in offering protection against the growth and spread of tumours.
The plant is greatly valued as a fragrance in soaps, creams and perfumes especially colognes. It is also a flavouring agent for Chartreuse and Benedictine, which is interesting as infusions of the root were given to recovering alcoholics. Crushed seeds spread in car interiors reduce travel sickness.
Angelica grows well in Cyprus, some of the best examples I have seen were at the Monagri Foundation, high in the hills of Limassol region. All parts of the plant are edible and the root is candied like ginger. However it must be avoided when pregnant.
Next week Borage
