Angelica officinalis medicinal properties. Angelica officinalis - medicinal properties, contraindications and use in cooking Angelica officinalis use

Angelica officinalis medicinal properties and contraindications description photo root use for eye diseases for women plant seeds rhizome
tincture

Angelica archangelica L. (Archangelica officinalis Hoffm.)

Umbelliferae family - Umbelliferae (Apiaceae)

Other name: Angelica officinalis

Description

Or Angelica officinalis a large perennial, sometimes biennial, monocarpic herbaceous plant with a pleasant aroma. The rhizome is vertical, short, thick, with adventitious roots, turning into a tap root, which contains a whitish or yellowish secretion.

The stem is hollow, branched in the upper part, bare, with a bluish coating, 1-2.5 m high.

The leaves are alternate, up to 80 cm long, glabrous, doubly and thrice pinnately dissected, with well-defined sheaths and hollow rounded petioles, the upper ones with reduced blades sitting on strongly swollen sheaths. The edges of the terminal lobes of the leaves are sharply toothed.

The inflorescence is a large, almost spherical, complex umbrella, 8 -15 cm in diameter, with 20 - 40 rays. There is no wrapper; involucre of numerous linear and subulate leaves. The flowers are small, inconspicuous; calyx teeth inconspicuous; the petals are whitish or yellowish-greenish, elliptical, short wedge-shaped at the base, slightly notched at the apex, with the apex curved inward. There are 5 stamens, alternating with petals. The ovary is semiinferior, bilocular, with two short stylodes ending in blunt stigmas; During flowering, the stylodes are shorter than the wide, flat subcolumn.

The fruit is dorsally compressed, broadly elliptical, 5 - 8 mm long, a viscocarp, split into 2 mericarps. The ribs of the mericarp are slightly spongy-thickened; marginal ribs wider than dorsal, widened pterygoidally. Secretory tubules are numerous, small, and surround the endosperm; in addition, there are costal tubules (1-2 in the ribs, near the vascular bundles). The membranes of the mesocarp cells are slit-porous.

Blooms in June-August; the fruits ripen in July-September.

Spreading

Or Angelica officinalis grows in the European part of Russia. Its habitat is continuous and compact. The northern border runs along the coast of the Barents Sea (including Kolguev Island), and the eastern border runs along the right bank of the Usa, reaches the middle reaches of the Pechora and, rounding the right bank of its upper basin, reaches the watershed of the Ural ridge. This natural boundary serves as the eastern border of the range of Angelica officinalis to the very southern tip of the Urals. The natural distribution point for Angelica officinalis is the Volga. Further, the border stretches along the river. Samara and in the Orenburg region it goes into the river valley. Ural.

Angelica medicine. grows along the banks of rivers, lakes, oxbow lakes, streams, in flooded meadows, in willow and alder forests, along the edges of swamps, in clearings and edges of swampy forests, among tall grasses and thickets of shrubs. Optimal conditions for the growth of this species are created in well-lit, moist and damp meadows developed on sufficiently drained parts of the river floodplains of the forest zone, and in the southern part of the range - along the bottoms of gullies and depressions, where humus-rich, often silty, meadow soils with moderate variable temperatures are developed. moisturizing. In such places, for example, in some types of birch and alder forests in the Moscow region, developed on river terraces above the floodplain, angelica sometimes reaches 3 m in height. Angelica medicine. found as a weedy meadow plant in floodplain foxtail-bluegrass and canarygrass meadows, as well as in willow forests, mainly from Salix fragilis L..

Reproduction

Angelica officinalis reproduces only by seeds, which germinate well among adult plants of the same species. In cultivation, the plant blooms in the second year of life, but in nature, flowering occurs only at the age of 5 - 30 years. When mowing flowering stems, secondary formation of generative shoots was noted in the same year, while their repeated development the following year was never observed.

Varieties

Angelica officinalis should be distinguished from Angelica sylvestris L, which somewhat resembles it in appearance. The inflorescence of this species is a complex corymbose umbrella (in A. archangelica it is a complex spherical umbrella); the flower corollas are white, often with a pink tint, the leaf petioles have strongly pronounced ribs, bilateral in cross-section with a central cavity of irregular shape. The fruits of Angelica silica are smaller, with single tubules in the hollows, thread-like dorsal ribs and wing-shaped marginal ribs. These species are also well distinguished by smell, especially of underground organs.

Along the coasts of the Baltic and North Seas there is a special species very close to A. archangelica - coastal angelica - Angelica littoralis Fries. In Siberia, Angelica officinalis is replaced by a closely related species, Angelica decurrens - A. decurrens (Ledeb.) B. Fedtsch., whose distribution in the east is limited to Transbaikalia, and in the south - to the ridges of the northern Tien Shan. The boundary of the ranges of these two species in the Urals has not yet been sufficiently studied, since individuals are found here that combine the characteristics of both species. In Central Asia, related species of Komarov's angelica are found - A. komarovii (Schischk.) V. Tichom. (western Pamir-Altai, Fergana Range) and short-stemmed angelica - A. brevicaulis (Rupr.) B. Fedtsch. (from the Dzungarian Alatau to the western Tien Shan and Pamir-Altai). These taxa are often considered species of A. archangelica). However, their use in medicine is not provided for in the technical documentation for the raw material of Angelica officinalis.

Chemical composition

Active ingredients

Angelica officinalis rhizomes contain essential oil (1%), coumarins and furocoumarins, tannins, terpenoids, organic acids, including valeric, phytosterols, resins, wax, bitter substance, sugar (2.4%).

The leaves and flowers of angelica contain the flavonoid diosmin, and the fruits contain coumarins.

The fruits contain coumarins: bergapten, ostrutol, isopimpinellin, oxypeucedanin and fellopterin.

Application

Food use

Leaves, shoots, roots are edible. It is mainly used for food as a spicy and aromatic plant. The washed and dried roots are crushed into powder and added to dough, sauces, sprinkled on meat when frying (5-7 minutes before cooking). Collected in the fall and dried, angelica seeds are used to flavor first courses, homemade tinctures and liqueurs.
Dishes with angelica improve digestion and are a source of vitamins and other biologically active substances. The presence of aromatic substances allows the use of angelica in the distillery industry for the production of wines, liqueurs (Benedict, Chartreuse) and vermouth. In a number of northern European countries, young stems and leaf petioles of Angelica officinalis are used to make jam, candied fruits and sweets.

Essential oil from its roots is used in the perfume industry.

Medicinal use

Collection and processing of medicinal raw materials

Rhizomes with roots of non-flowering plants are harvested. Every year in Russia, 15 - 20 tons of dry raw material of angelica officinalis are harvested. The largest amount of raw materials is supplied by the Voronezh region and Bashkiria.

In the 1st year, plants are harvested in the fall, in the 2nd year - in early spring. Rhizomes with roots of non-flowering angelica specimens are usually dug up in the fall or spring before budding begins, in order to avoid contamination of the raw material with defective underground organs of flowering specimens. The dug up rhizomes are thoroughly cleaned of soil, washed in cold water and cut off at the very base of the stem and cut across. Dry the raw materials in a well-ventilated area, in attics, under sheds or in a dryer at a temperature of 35...40 ° C, laying them out in a thin layer.. In good weather, rhizomes with angelica roots can be dried in the open air, spreading them out in a thin layer on paper or fabric, carefully turning it over from time to time.

In some European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Romania, etc.) this species is cultivated to obtain valuable essential oil.

The raw material has an aromatic odor. Store in a well-closed wooden container for 3 years.

Application in official and folk medicine

Angelica officinalis medicinal properties

Since ancient times, angelica has been considered a medicinal plant. Stimulates blood circulation, improves immunity. The medicinal raw materials are rhizomes with roots, which have a pleasant, refreshing odor. It has antifermentative, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, and sedative effects. Water-alcohol tincture is used for rheumatism, gout, arthritis, radiculitis. In traditional Chinese medicine, angelica is used to combat infertility and prevent female diseases. In China, it is believed that angelica is second only to ginseng in its medicinal properties.

The roots and rhizomes are used in a number of countries for gastrointestinal diseases to enhance the secretory and motor functions of the intestines and reduce fermentation processes in them, and also as a diuretic. They are part of a diuretic collection and are also used to treat nervous diseases, rheumatism and arthritis.

In modern medicine, plant preparations are recommended as a tonic and in some cases can replace valerian root, and are also used as a means of increasing bile secretion.

In folk medicine, young shoots and buds boiled in whey are used as an appetite improver. A decoction of the root is drunk for colds, to stimulate appetite, for flatulence, for sluggish digestion due to previous illnesses, for belching, abdominal pain, dropsy, inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract, for nervous exhaustion, insomnia, convulsions, diseases of the biliary tract, hypocidal gastritis, duodenitis, colitis. For the same purposes, crushed rhizomes with roots are used, which are taken in powder form 3 times a day, 0.5 g.

For gout, rheumatism and lower back pain, alcohol tinctures are used for rubbing.

A decoction of the roots is prepared at a rate of 1:10 and taken 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day. Vodka infusion is taken for toothache. For rubbing against rheumatic and gouty pain in joints, radiculitis, muscle pain, use an alcohol tincture from the roots and rhizomes of angelica. The tincture is also prescribed to enhance the secretion of gastric juice.

To prepare the decoction, place 3 tablespoons of raw materials in an enamel bowl, add 1 glass of hot water, boil over low heat for 30 minutes, cool at room temperature for 10 minutes and filter. Take hot, 0.5 cups 2-3 times a day after meals.

Preparation of tincture. 1 part of the roots is infused in 10 parts of vodka for 10 days. The tincture is filtered and taken 50 drops before meals.

Infusion of angelica officinalis herb (for baths) 100 g of herb is poured into 3 liters of boiling water, left for 4 hours. Strain into a bath at a temperature of 37°C. Take a bath before bed. After the bath, the body is wet and tea with valerian is drunk.

Recipes for various diseases

Collection 1. Grind the roots of angelica and pour vodka into them in a ratio of 1:10. Rub your joints.

Insomnia

Collection 1. Take 15 g of dried angelica roots, add 1 glass of water, bring to a boil, boil for 10 minutes, cool and strain. Take 1 tablespoon before bedtime.

Use the same recipe as for treating insomnia (see above). Take 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day.

Collection 2. Preparation of infusion. 8-10 g of rhizomes with roots are poured with 2 cups of boiling water (in a thermos) and left for 6-8 hours. Drink half a glass 3-4 times a day half an hour before meals as a diaphoretic, expectorant for bronchitis, laryngitis, as an antispasmodic for spasms of organs with smooth muscles.

Collection 3. A tablespoon of dry crushed raw materials is poured with a glass of boiling water and left for 30 minutes. Strain, drink 2 tablespoons 3 times a day before meals. Used for insomnia, nervous and sexual excitability, cough, urinary retention.

Chronic gastritis

Collection 1. Decoction of the herb angelica officinalis. A tablespoon of dry crushed angelica officinalis herb is boiled in 250 ml of water for 5 minutes, left for 2 hours. Strain, drink a quarter glass of honey for coughs, chronic pancreatitis, chronic gastritis.

Toothache

Collection 1. Juice from fresh leaves of Angelica officinalis. The leaves are crushed. The resulting natural juice is dropped into the ear for pain or applied on a cotton swab to sore gums or teeth.

Diabetes

Collection 1. Decoction of rhizomes and roots of Angelica officinalis. 3 tablespoons of dry crushed rhizome of angelica officinalis are poured into a glass of water and boiled for 10 minutes. Infuse for 20 minutes, drink half a glass 2-3 times a day before meals for diabetes and weight loss.

Collection 2. Powder from rhizomes and roots of Angelica officinalis. The rhizomes and roots of the plant are dried and ground into powder in a mortar, mixer or coffee grinder. The powder is taken 0.5 g 3 times a day before meals for abdominal colic, bloating, gastritis, kidney disease, bladder disease and diabetes.

Joint pain

Collection 1. Tincture of angelica officinalis rhizomes. Rhizomes and roots of angelica (dry or fresh) are crushed and filled with 70° alcohol in a ratio of 1:10. Leave in a dark place at room temperature for 14 days. Strain and use as a rub for joint diseases, neuralgic and muscle pain in diabetes mellitus.

Angelica officinalis Contraindications

No contraindications for use were found.

When processing angelica roots, people prone to skin allergies may experience blisters on their hands. Caution must be exercised.

Modern man has become very distant from nature and the knowledge that our ancestors passed on to us. But this did not make him healthier, and sometimes after many unsuccessful attempts to cure this or that ailment, we turn to herbs and healers. To regain knowledge again, you need to study plants and their properties. And today you can learn about one very useful herb called angelica.

This plant has existed on our planet for thousands of years. And for the same amount of time it has been known for its beneficial qualities for humans. Angelica was used to treat many diseases, and the effect of the treatment was good. Over such a long history of its existence, the plant has acquired many other names - angelica, meadow oaks, bordanka, sweet trunk, angelica.

Did you know? According to ancient legends of some peoples of the world, angelica was given to people from heaven. This happened when people were struck by the plague, and there was no salvation from the disease. At that moment, an angel sent from God descended from above, and in his hands was the root of a wonderful plant. Then people called angelica archangelica (Latin).

According to scientists, the grass has a homeland in the northern regions of Eurasia. In the 14th century, angelica was brought to European countries from the Scandinavian regions. Since ancient times, our Slavic ancestors used it to treat various ailments. The plant gave health, strength, beauty. Moreover, it was angelica that saved a person from poison after a snake bite.

The grass still grows in our country. At the same time, it is quite widespread throughout the territory; herbalists can prepare angelica in the European part, and in the Urals, and in Siberia. It grows in the mountainous Caucasus and the Far East. Here the grass grows wild. Sometimes it can be specially cultivated in certain regions. But in Europe, many countries grow angelica purposefully.

Description of the plant

So that you can better understand what we are talking about, look at the photo of angelica. This grass has a tall stem that exceeds the height of a person. It blooms in umbels with white or yellow flowers. The sheets are beautiful as they have carved contours. The grass has a rather pronounced aroma, its roots grow over a long distance, holding tightly to the soil, but at the same time they do not grow deep. Angelica root also has its own subtle aroma.

The stem has many branches, the leaves on it are large, and there is a silvery coating. The plant blooms in the second and third decades of summer. If angelica is a year old, then it does not bloom and the time for its collection is September, October. If the herb is two years old or older, it will flower and be harvested in April and May.

For information! The powerful root of angelica is very healing and smells pleasant. It is the raw material for medicines for many diseases. To understand why the herb is valued, read further on its composition.

Angelica officinalis. What is his strength?

Of course, every medicinal plant helps a person because it contains various necessary components and vitamins. Angelica is considered a herb that can give health and strength. It contains a lot of essential oils and acids (malic, acetic, valerian, etc.). The composition is also rich in tannins, carotene, antioxidants, sugars, resins, and bitter substances. That's not all.

Nature has not deprived the plant of proteins, vegetable fats, calcium, pectin components, ascorbic acid, and phosphorus. Without these components, our body cannot be healthy, and they can be replenished so easily by using the plant in your everyday life. It is worth noting that angelica contains fiber, and our gastrointestinal tract needs it for digestion and cleansing the body of all harmful and unnecessary substances.

For information! Essential oil is made from the rhizome of the plant and is used for therapy. It contains all the beneficial substances, while its aroma is subtle and has notes of musk. Scientists also believe that the oil contains one of the very important components - phelandrene.

Angelica plant. Its benefits and contraindications

Medicinal properties

• Used as a powerful remedy for immunity.
• The plant has always been valued for its ability to help our cardiovascular system and improve blood flow.
• Removes bile, helps kidney function. It has a good effect on the health of people who were or are dependent on alcohol.
• Stimulates and tones the nervous system.
• An excellent assistant for those people who suffer from various back pains and diseases. To do this, use alcohol infusions as a rub.
• And during a cold, angelica is our assistant, as it can lower the temperature, cope with the pathogenic environment of microbes and bacteria, and relieve a painful cough.
• The grass normalizes blood pressure and improves motor skills.
• Infusions based on angelica root help our digestion. The body begins to receive maximum nutrients, and waste, toxins, and carcinogens are removed from it.
• Medicinal components help lower cholesterol levels.

Agree how unique this herb is. So, why don’t we know anything about it, and even if we know where it grows, we don’t use it for therapy. After all, it is much easier to use natural gifts than to drink tablets with a chemical composition.

Angelica officinalis for women

All of the above qualities of the herb are beneficial for everyone, but angelica has certain properties that can help women's health. Namely, the plant gives a chance to get pregnant for women who suffer from anemia, problems with blood circulation, and constantly feel tired. Against this background, it is very difficult to conceive a child.
If you use angelica for therapy, you can gain strength, because we remember how the Slavs called angelica in ancient times. The woman will regain health, her skin will not be pale and dry. The plant also helps those who have already given birth to remove weakness, restore menstruation, and relieve pain in the pelvis. In a word, angelica is essential for women’s health for its medicinal properties and composition.

Contraindications. Who should not use herbs for therapy?

Whenever using a particular plant or products made on its basis for treatment or prevention, it is necessary to understand about individual intolerance to the components. Someone can drink the infusion as tea, while others can get severe allergies. After all, we all have different bodies.

The infinitely useful angelica does not have any special contraindications or side effects; it is not suitable for two categories of people - women, when they are already carrying a child, note that after childbirth and for conception, the herb is useful, and people with diabetes. Well, as was said earlier, plants are not allowed for those who may be allergic to them.

Important! Even if you know everything about the state of your health, what diseases you have or don’t have, still never engage in treatment at home without consulting a doctor. Women need to be especially careful, because sometimes we may not immediately find out about our pregnancy, during which we should not drink decoctions or infusions based on angelica root.

We must use the medicinal properties of the plant for our health, immunity, and prevention. After all, anyone can collect raw materials, as well as make an infusion, and you will receive an environmentally friendly medicine. Properly selected herb can help you get back on your feet after the most serious illness, so is it worth neglecting such gifts?

We hope you found the article useful, and now your knowledge about traditional medicine has become more complete. You can prepare the herb yourself or buy it ready-made at the pharmacy. But remember the collection deadlines.

All materials on the website are presented for informational purposes only. Before using any product, consultation with a doctor is MANDATORY!

Angelica officinalis is its scientific name. It is deciphered in different ways, but the Russian word “dagly”, meaning “strong, healthy,” best characterizes its medicinal purpose. The Latin spelling in medical literature Angelica (“angel”) comes from the translation “angel or messenger of God,” which is also absolutely true due to the presence of many medicinal properties in the herb. And the attachment of bees to the flowers of the plant is another proof of its healing power, due to which the effectiveness of treatment with angelica honey increases. Some gardeners actively cultivate angelica as a honey crop and obtain delicious reddish medicinal honey.

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Botanical certificate

Judging by the description, angelica officinalis, also known as angelica, belongs to the Umbrella family. Grows up to 2.5 meters. The cylindrical hollow stem has many branches. Its color is reddish below, green with a bluish tinge above. The thick rhizome grows almost straight down, has no more than two taproot branches and a few small adventitious branches. The ellipsoid leaves are double- and triple-pinnate. The lower the leaf is, the smaller the petiole it has.

In June, caps of small yellowish-green flowers appear, they are collected in large umbrellas up to 15 cm. At the end of August, at the end of flowering, seeds appear - these are many yellow fruits, each of which subsequently disintegrates into 2 parts. From just one bush you can collect 0.5 kg of seeds, with which the plant reproduces.

Angelica grows in the European part of the former Soviet Union and in Siberia. These are damp places: near streams, rivers. Found in thickets of bushes and on mountain slopes.

Preparation and storage

When harvesting angelica, there is no waste left - everything is used for medicinal purposes. But there are certain collection rules. If the plant is only one year old, then you can dig it up only in the fall, if it is two years old, in the spring. This is due to the amount of active substances. The older the plant, the more there are. The rhizomes are dug up with a shovel, washed thoroughly, cut crosswise into pieces up to 10 cm, and those that are too thick are cut lengthwise. You can dry it in air or in a dryer. Maximum temperature – no more than 40 °C. The roots have a sweetish, spicy aroma, with a hint of burning bitterness. The smell intensifies when rubbed.

Those who use leaves and shoots in cooking begin collecting even before flowering. For medicinal purposes, harvesting should be done after flowering has ended. It is recommended to air dry the raw materials in the shade. The seeds are collected when ripe. Room conditions are suitable for drying. Usually this is the end of September - beginning of October.

Raw materials are stored well if they are packed in bales, fabric bags and tightly tied. It is better to store the roots in tightly closed jars - this way they will not lose their aroma. Storage areas must be dry and ventilated.

Dry leaves and shoots do not lose their medicinal properties for one year. Rhizomes and seeds can be stored for three years.



Chemical constituents and pharmacology

The beneficial properties are due to chemical components that contribute to the healing of the human body. Contains:

1. 1. Coumarins. Their pharmacological activity is manifested in antispasmodic and antitumor effects.
2. 2. Ostol. Strong antioxidant and calcium channel blocker.
3. 3. Ostenol. Supplies vitamins K, D, E.
4. 4. Umbelliferon. Required for the biosynthesis of coumarins.
5. 5. Psoralen. Important for the treatment of skin diseases.
6. 6. Tannins. They have bactericidal and antimicrobial effects.
7. 7. Malic acid. Participates in metabolism, tones.
8. 8. Acetic acid . Breaks down fats and carbohydrates.
9. 9. Valeric acid . Has a sedative effect.
10. 10. Phytosterols . Reduce blood cholesterol levels.
11. 11. Ascorbic acid . Is the main antioxidant. Strengthens the immune system.
12. 12. Calcium. Responsible for the strength of bone tissue.
13. 13. Phosphorus. Calcium helps strengthen bone tissue and promotes mental activity.

Angelica also contains some amount of wax, carotene, resins, quercetin, fatty and essential oils. Based on the chemical composition, pharmacological properties are identified:

• Diuretic.
• Anti-inflammatory.
• Antispasmodic.
• Tonic.
• Antispasmodic.
• Sedative.
• Expectorant.
• Sweatshop.
• Anti-fermentation.

Angelica is used in many areas: traditional medicine, cooking, food industry. Used for livestock feed.



ethnoscience

For medical purposes, angelica preparations are used in the form of tinctures, decoctions and infusions. What to consider when preparing and using the medicine:

• Raw materials must be collected according to procurement rules.
• The roots are first ground in a coffee grinder.
• Before using the medicine, the infusion must be strained.
• Angelica preparations are taken exclusively on an empty stomach. You can start your meal after 30 minutes.
• Take the medicine three times.
• All water infusions can be stored for no more than two days in the refrigerator.
• Alcohol tinctures are kept in a dark place.

The table shows the dosages and methods of using the plant:

Indications	Quantity of raw materials	Liquid quantity	Infusion time	Dose
Gastritis, colitis, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, cough, difficulty urinating, insomnia, lower back pain, rheumatism, nervous disorders, gout.	15 grams of grass	1.5 cups (100 °C)	2 hours	2 tablespoons
Kidney diseases, increased nervous excitability, gastritis, colitis, kidney and bladder diseases, inflammatory processes in the oral cavity. The product is useful for taking baths during hysteria	10 grams of grass	2 cups (room temperature)	8 ocloc'k	100 ml
Spasms in the stomach and intestines, colds, poor appetite, laryngitis, bronchitis, diarrhea. An infusion mixed with wine 50/50 helps get rid of painful gas accumulation and improve appetite. Helpful in removing toxins from the blood	1 tablespoon mixture (roots, leaves, seeds)	1 cup (100 °C)	6 hours in a thermos	100 ml
Cough, gastritis, colitis, inflammatory diseases of the pancreas	10 grams of grass	200 ml (boil for 5 minutes)	2 hours	50 ml
Neuroses, convulsions, hysteria	30 grams of roots	Dry white wine 0.5 liters	7 days	50 ml. The drug is taken twice a day

Juice: sore ear, toothache. Fresh juice helps to cope with the painful sensation. Apply a drop in each ear. Apply a lotion to the tooth or rinse it. Gout, radiculitis, and rheumatism are also treated with juice compresses.

Freshly crushed leaves: wounds and bites of rabid animals. Pounded leaves are mixed with honey 1:1 and applied to problem areas of the skin.

Bunch of flowers: epilepsy. Soak a handful of flowers in a glass of wine for an hour and take them in the morning in winter for epilepsy.

Angelica vulgaris, or Angelica officinalis- Angelica archangelica L. (Archangelica officinalis Hoffm.) is a large perennial (biennial in cultivation) herbaceous plant from the umbrella family (Apiaceae or Umbelliferae) with a thick wrinkled radish-like rhizome and fleshy adventitious roots containing a yellowish milky sap. The stem is erect, from 1 to 2.5 m high, thick, branched in the upper part, smooth, with a bluish coating, hollow inside. The basal leaves are large, up to 80 cm long, triangular in general outline, double or triple pinnate, with long petioles. The stem leaves are alternate, they are much smaller, simpler, with short petioles and stem-enclosing swollen sheaths, the upper leaves are sessile. The leaf blades are ovate, pointed, jagged along the edge.
The flowers are small, yellowish-greenish, collected in inflorescences-umbrellas, which together form large spherical complex umbrellas with a diameter of 8 to 17 cm, which end the stem and branches. There are 20-40 rays of the umbrella, they are densely pubescent. Flower with a double, 5-membered perianth. The calyx is green, inconspicuous. The petals are free, with apex curved inward, slightly notched at the apex. There are 5 stamens. A pistil with a lower 2-locular ovary and 2 short styles.
It blooms in June - August, the fruits ripen in August - September. The fruit is an elliptical pale yellow or almost white two-seeded seed up to 9 mm long. Angelica reproduces by seed. For most of its life it remains in the form of a rosette of leaves. Only in the 6-15th year of the plant’s life does it grow a stem with inflorescences and it blooms. The year of flowering is also the year of the plant's death. The fact is that angelica belongs to the so-called monocarpic plants, which bloom only once in a lifetime and die off after fruiting.

Distribution of angelica

Angelica is widespread in the temperate zone of Eurasia. In our country, it is found in the forest and forest-steppe zones of European Russia, the Urals and Western Siberia. Along river valleys it reaches the tundra zone.
It grows along the banks of streams, rivers, lakes, in ditches, along the edges of swamps and in damp forests, willows and thickets of other shrubs, in flood meadows, in forest ravines. Cultivated in Russia and Germany to obtain aromatic raw materials.

Economic use of angelica

The rhizomes and roots of angelica, as well as the essential oil from them, are widely used as a flavoring agent in the alcoholic beverage industry and the fish canning industry. The essential oil distilled from the rhizomes is also in demand in perfumery. The leaves, stems and roots are edible.
Young shoots are boiled in sugar or eaten raw, and salads are prepared from them; The fragrant herb is used as a seasoning for first and second courses, salads, pickles, and marinades. In the past, in hungry years, grass was torn to the table in the spring, but in the North it replaces vegetables throughout the summer.
Young stems and petioles, peeled, are candied and cakes are decorated with fragrant candied fruits. The roots are used to flavor drinks. The French liqueur Chartreuse is flavored with angelica.
Angelica is an excellent honey plant. Bees take nectar and pollen from its flowers. In terms of dense thickets, the honey productivity of angelica is, according to various estimates, from 60 to 300 kg/ha.

Features of angelica preparation

Rhizomes with angelica roots are dug in autumn or early spring. They are shaken off the soil, cleared of any remaining stems and leaves, washed in water and cut into pieces for drying. Dry by any available method, but at a relatively low temperature to reduce the loss of essential oil. The shelf life of dry raw materials with a strong pleasant odor is 3 years.

Medicinal value of angelica and methods of medicinal use

This plant is recognized by both scientific and traditional medicine.
The underground parts of angelica are used for medicinal purposes. They contain essential oil (up to 1%), furocoumarins, tannins, and organic acids. The roots and rhizomes are used to prepare medicines that enhance the secretion of bile and increase the secretion of the glands of the stomach and intestines while simultaneously increasing intestinal motility. They are prescribed to stimulate appetite and improve digestion, with accumulation of gases in the intestines (flatulence), and diarrhea.
Angelica also has antifermentative, diuretic, diaphoretic and expectorant effects, therefore in folk medicine it is used for inflammation of the respiratory tract, kidney and bladder diseases and other diseases.
Angelica raw material is part of the diuretic collection. It is believed that angelica medicines have a tonic effect on the cardiovascular system and a calming effect on the central nervous system, so they are prescribed for nervous exhaustion, insomnia, and convulsions.
Connoisseurs often use decoctions from the root for nervous exhaustion, hysteria and even epilepsy. It has a tonic, restorative effect on the nervous system. M Pour two teaspoons of crushed root with 2 cups of boiling water, 30 minutes. keep in a water bath. Take half a glass of the decoction 3-4 times a day before meals.

Baths with angelica are also very useful for nervous diseases. Pour two handfuls of dried roots into 3 liters of water, bring to a boil, hold on low heat for 15 minutes, then add a handful of mint, oregano and hops to the decoction, leave for 2 hours and, after straining, pour into the bath. Baths are repeated every other day for 3 weeks.

For muscle and joint pain, rheumatism, gout, radiculitis, alcohol tincture from the roots and rhizomes is used for rubbing.

Angelica is also used to prepare baths that relieve gout, rheumatism, and lower back pain.

Juice from the grass is instilled a few drops for pain and tinnitus.

Angelica decoction can be used as a prophylactic against cholera.

Tincture of Swedish herbs is an excellent remedy that protects against many diseases. Especially in the off-season, it will save you from colds and flu - just drink 1 teaspoon of tincture in the morning and evening, diluted with a small amount of water or tea. For pain of an unspecified nature, as well as if you are very wet and chilled, you can drink the tincture with hot sweet tea. This tincture should be in every home medicine cabinet. Its recipe was developed by the famous Swedish doctor Samst, whose entire family, regularly taking this tincture, lived to a ripe old age, maintaining excellent health.
Collection: 10g angelica, 10g aloe, 5g elecampane, 10g manna, 5g myrrh, 10g natural camphor, 10g rhubarb root, 0.2g saffron, 10g senna leaves, 10g turmeric (root).
The mixture is poured into a large bottle and filled with alcohol or vodka (concentration from 38 to 40%). For 2 weeks, the bottle should stand in a fairly warm place, for example on the windowsill of a south-facing window, and should be shaken vigorously several times a day. After two weeks, the tincture is poured into smaller bottles and stored in a dark and cool place. This alcohol tincture has such a valuable property that it does not deteriorate over time, but, on the contrary, becomes even more useful.
For internal bleeding - from 3 teaspoons to 3 tablespoons of tincture (depending on the intensity of bleeding) mixed with infusion of shepherd's purse. One teaspoon with the top of the shepherd's purse is poured with 1 glass of boiling water and left for half a minute to infuse. Then the infusion is filtered, 2 tablespoons of Swedish herbal tincture are added, half a glass is drunk before meals, and the other half after.

For gastroenteritis, it is good to mix the tincture with calendula infusion.
One teaspoon with the top of calendula flowers is poured with 1 glass of boiling water and left for half a minute. Then filter and take Zraz per day. From 2 to 4 glasses are required daily; a fresh infusion should be prepared each time. Add tincture to the infusion at the rate of 3 teaspoons per 1 glass of infusion.

For stomach colic, take up to 3 tablespoons of Swedish herbal tincture daily, diluting the tincture with a small amount of water or herbal infusion.

It is good to use a compress from a tincture of Swedish herbs for stomach pain. The stomach area is first lubricated with a thick layer of calendula ointment, which prevents the skin surface from drying out and degreasing under the influence of the caustic tincture.
The ointment is prepared as follows: melt 250 g of pure lard in a frying pan and add two full handfuls of calendula (flowers, stems, leaves) into it. As soon as the fat becomes foamy, stir everything vigorously and remove the pan from the heat. The fat should cool overnight under the lid. In the morning, the contents of the frying pan are heated again and filtered through a clean linen cloth, carefully squeezing out the herbs soaked in fat. The ointment is transferred into small, tightly closed jars and stored in a cool place.
After smearing the skin in the stomach area with calendula ointment, gauze soaked in the tincture is applied to this area. Place a layer of dry cotton wool on top (to maintain a stable temperature of the compress), cover with a layer of foil and fix the compress with a warm scarf or thick towel. The compress should remain on the body for no more than four hours. After the compress, the skin should be sprinkled with powder or baby powder to neutralize irritation.
Treatment with compresses is well complemented by taking tincture of Swedish herbs orally daily, 3 teaspoons, slightly diluted with water or tea, dividing each portion in half - before and after meals.
Traditional medicine recommends the described method of taking tinctures of Swedish herbs for intestinal disorders, diarrhea and vomiting, and inflammation of the stomach. You can also use an infusion of angelica roots. Infuse 20 g of rhizomes in 1 liter of water for 8 hours, strain. Take 1/2 cup 3-4 times a day.
Use the tincture to combat worms, taking 1 tablespoon along with calendula infusion - best early
in the morning. Additionally, you can apply a compress from the tincture to the navel area, previously lubricated with calendula ointment.
Compresses made from tinctures of Swedish herbs on the abdominal area are used in the treatment of malignant tumors of the colon and for colic: hepatic, gastric, and renal.

A decoction of angelica rhizomes helps relax the smooth muscles of the uterus.
Pour three tablespoons of crushed raw materials into 1 cup of boiling water, boil over low heat for 30 minutes, cool at room temperature for 1/2 minute, strain. Take hot, 1/2 cup 2-3 times a day after meals.

Hypertension, rheumatism, biliary diseases, hysteria, and convulsions are treated with angelica infused with wine.
Take 30 g of crushed root, pour in 500 ml of white wine, leave for 24 hours with frequent shaking, then strain and take half a wine glass 2 times a day.
Infuse the root in 70% alcohol for 7 days in a ratio of 1 part by weight alcohol and 1/2 part by weight angelica. Rub sore spots.

In an old herbal book, this plant is mentioned as follows: “There is also angelica herb, it grows in vegetable gardens and in dry places, in the elbow itself, with a whitish tassel on top, the root, some pepper... it’s good to drink this herb for a woman whose breasts hurt, and keep the root on teeth - useful.
There is a curly angelica grass that grows near rivers and hollows, the flower is white, and the other is blue or yellow - without a core. She is good from heretics. Whoever eats that grass, that person is not afraid of any damage; if you go to a feast, gnaw this root at least once a day for the whole week, and you will get rid of all pain; wear that angelica on your head and people will respect you.”

In popular dialects, angelica was known as angelica, wild dawn, cow, bedspread, spindle. V. I. Dal associated the word “angelica” with the concept of “get healthy, be strong.” People sometimes call angelica “the voice of the earth” (probably this name is due to the fact that primitive musical instruments - pipes - were made from the stems of the plant).
The more this grass they take,
The more everyone will remember me.
Eat leaves, flower buds,
Tear me, dry me, thank the Lord God.
I bloom from Vladimir's fast to Petrov's fast.
Tell the grass, with the voice of the earth,
That I will stop the bleeding
I'll clear away the cough, calm my heart,
I'll take the toothache into the river,
I will return youth to the old people.
Rub your feet
Yes, remember me!

Angelica was very popular among doctors and scientists of the last century. The powerful rhizomes and roots of the plant contain 1% essential oil. Apparently, this is one of the reasons for the inclusion of angelica in the once secret recipe of the famous Chartreuse and Benedictine liqueurs.
“Residents of Iceland, Finland and other northern countries eat Diaghilev’s young offspring raw with great greed. Sometimes, after removing the outer skin from the roots of angelica, they are boiled in milk or baked in ashes and in this form are used for chest diseases, coughs and colds. And from the annual Diaghilev root, consumed internally, the Laplanders promise themselves a long life,” - this is how the outstanding Russian doctor I. M. Ambodik-Maksimovich wrote about angelica at the beginning of the 19th century. In Rus', the nutritional benefits of angelica have also been appreciated since ancient times.

Recipes for therapeutic nutrition of angelica (angelica)

Angelica officinalis puree
Young stems with leaves are dried, doused with boiling water, poured with syrup and simmered over low heat until thickened. After cooling, use it as jam for pies and pancakes.

Angelica officinalis salad with dandelion
100 g angelica leaves, 80 g dandelion leaves, dill and parsley, 2 tablespoons sour cream, salt. Angelica leaves are doused with boiling water, chopped, mixed with crushed dandelion leaves (pre-soaked in salt water), parsley and dill, salted and seasoned with sour cream. Served with meat.
From angelica roots, boiled in sugar syrup, candies are obtained that have a beneficial effect on digestion.
This plant is ruled by the Sun and is healing for those born under the sign of Leo.

The angelica plant has another name - angelica officinalis. The part used is the root, which is quite thick and looks like a radish, which has fleshy shoots. The adventitious roots contain yellow, milky sap.

What does the plant look like?

This plant is perennial, large, and can reach a height of up to 2.5 m. Its stem is straight and thick at the bottom. At the top of the angelica there is a branched part. The smooth stem is covered with a coating, bluish in tone, and is hollow inside.

The leaves at the root reach up to 80 cm in length. Their shape is triangular with two and three repetitions, short petioles. All leaf blades have sharp teeth along the edges. The foliage in the upper part is sessile, and in the central zone it is simple, smaller.

Angelica officinalis blooms with inflorescences resembling an umbrella, consisting of small flowers of yellow and green shades. Collected together, they form balls, the diameter of which reaches 20 cm, with internal rays from 20 to 40 pieces. The inflorescences have a dense pubescence and a double perianth, with an inconspicuous green calyx. The branched tops of the plant end with such flowers.

Flowering begins in June and lasts until August, after which fruits appear on the plant, white or yellow in color and elliptical in shape. They contain two seeds and are 0.9 cm long.

Where does angelica grow?

Angelica is widespread in the temperate climate zone. It can be found in the forests and steppes of Russia, in the Urals and in Siberia, its western part.

The plant prefers moist places of growth. These are the banks of bodies of water: streams, rivers, lakes, swamps. It does not disdain ditches or damp places in the forest; it likes to settle in thickets of bushes, ravines and water meadows.

Reproduction is carried out by seeds. The peculiarity of the plant is that flowering occurs only after 6 years of life, sometimes later. After flowering, angelica dies.

Angelica officinalis properties

The most important quality of angelica officinalis root is its aromatic properties due to its high content of essential oil. It contains tannins, organic acids and furocoumarins.

Application

1. Angelica is widely used in the food industry. Its essential oils are used to make liqueurs and canned fish.

2. The plant has also found application in the creation of perfumes, soaps, creams and many other cosmetics.

3. Edible grass is used for food both raw and cooked. Desserts, salads, sauces, and seasonings are made from it.

4. The medicinal properties of the root are widely known. In folk medicine, it is used to improve the functioning of the stomach, intestines, and gall bladder. Tinctures have a positive effect on the nervous system, heart, kidneys, respiratory tract and bladder.

Preparation and collection of angelica rhizomes

Rhizomes are collected in summer and autumn, but the best material is collected in spring. Autumn harvests usually produce a dryish “root”. Digging of rhizomes is carried out with shovels or hoes,

The dug up rhizomes are washed in cold water. All above-ground parts are cut off. Cut them crosswise into small pieces, preserving the juice as much as possible. They are strung on laces and dried in this form in the shade under a canopy or near a stove, but without access to the sun. From 5 parts by weight of fresh “roots” you get 1 part dry.

The finished raw material should consist of reddish-brown or gray, short, thick, fleshy pieces of rhizome. Inside are white, smooth at the break, with numerous, long, often tangled roots extending from them. Humidity should not exceed 14%. Well-dried roots break with a bang, and the rhizomes are difficult to cut with a knife. The smell is strong, aromatic, especially when crushed. The taste is spicy, sharp-bitter, slightly hot.