Angelica officinalis
Useful properties and uses of angelica root and extract
Angelica description
Angelica is an unusual umbrella plant that often reaches a height of more than two meters. The thick, rounded stem is hollow inside, and very branched in the upper part. The large, smooth leaves of this herb are considered double-pinnate. Very small flowers are greenish-white. They are collected in complex spherical umbrellas, which contain from 20 to 40 rays. Such original umbrellas do not have a common typical wrapper. The fruit is presented in the form of a two-seed.
Angelica blooms from June to the very end of August. Fruit ripening occurs in August and September. The plant is very common in Russia and Europe. It can often be found in Siberia and the Urals. It prefers to settle on moist soils along rivers, along ravines, in swampy forests and in swamps. For medicinal use, powerful rhizomes with roots are collected. After digging up, they should be rinsed well in cold water, and then cut into pieces of the desired size. It is recommended to dry raw materials outdoors in the shade.
Useful properties of angelica
Large rhizomes and roots of angelica contain a lot of organic acids, carotene, wax, bitter and irreplaceable tannins, as well as essential angelic oil, resins, starch, phytoncides, furocoumarins and coumarins. Due to this exceptional composition, in case of overdose, they can cause serious toxic and allergic reactions.
The plant has not only anti-inflammatory and diaphoretic properties, but also boasts the ability to enhance the motor and secret functions of the gastrointestinal tract. Amazing angelica quickly reduces or completely eliminates negative fermentation processes in the human intestine, while relieving spasms. Umbrellas also have an expectorant effect on various inflammation of the respiratory system.
Angelica application
The presented plant is excellent for chronic colitis and gastritis. Numerous preparations based on angelica are indicated for the treatment of respiratory diseases, bronchitis and laryngitis. For stomatitis and gingivitis, they are prescribed in the form of rinses. With regular performance of procedures, these diseases recede. You can also use angelica in the form of infusions as a diuretic or choleretic agent.
Various decoctions of angelica roots are useful for insomnia, severe exhaustion of the nervous system, acute or chronic neuralgia, as well as bronchial asthma. The products have a relaxing effect when aromatizing baths. In most cases, a special alcoholic tincture of the plant is used externally for gout and rheumatism. In ancient times, the roots were used as a natural flavor and an incomparable spice.
One of the ways to cook angelica is the following. At 3 st. l. dry and well-chopped herbs, take 2 cups of boiling water. We insist on this delicious mixture for at least two hours, and then we filter. The infusion should be taken in half a glass 4 times a day before each meal.
Angelica root
In the autumn, the collection of roots with rhizomes is carried out. They are dug up, then cut into small pieces and dried for a long time under awnings in the open air, so that direct sunlight does not fall. To prepare a medicinal decoction from the roots of angelica, you will need no more than 10 grams of raw material per 100 ml of water. Such an excellent remedy is indicated for bronchitis, hepatitis, laryngitis, as well as for other equally dangerous respiratory diseases.
Many doctors recommend taking a decoction of the plant for gastritis, flatulence and duodenal problems. It perfectly helps to restore the gastric mucosa after the tightening of ulcers. This remedy is distinguished by its anthelmintic, antitumor and antispasmodic properties. It can be used to make compresses to treat not only gout and rheumatism, but also toothache.
The healing tincture of the roots can be drunk with neuroses and dangerous liver diseases. If you drip the juice of the roots into the hollow of a diseased tooth, then it will work no worse than a modern anesthetic drug. All remedies from the roots of angelica can boast of antipyretic, restorative effects on the human body. They easily relieve headaches, relieve fevers and relieve joint pain.
Angelica extract
The magic plant angelica has been used by our ancestors for a long time. Previously, with the help of this unsurpassed plant, they cured plague and other deadly ailments. Wonderful angelica extract is one of the miraculous remedies in folk medicine. This health-improving drug tends to have a curative beneficial effect on almost every organ of the human body. It is effective in treating diseases of the spleen and liver.
Angelica extract also helps to restore the functioning of the central nervous system in a minimal amount of time. Such an amazing plant has a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract, which is important in the body, and the responsible cardiovascular system. After completing the full course of treatment with this extraordinary remedy, an excellent appetite is noted, as well as complete digestion and assimilation of all components from food. At the same time, this drug is able to quickly normalize blood pressure.
Angelica extract is indispensable in the fight against various dysfunctions of the human body. These can include serious functional disorders of the central nervous system. Women who have any problems against the background of inflammatory processes of the female genital area should undergo a long course of treatment with such a remedy. Combined with modern therapy, you can permanently get rid of recurrent gynecological ailments.
Angelica species:
The fantastic medicinal plant angelica includes several main species that have been widely used for a long time to treat many diseases.
Angelica forest. This biennial herb grows up to two meters in height. It has a short, thick rhizome. When a fracture occurs, an interesting white juice is released, similar in consistency to milk. The erect, bare stem is very thick, it is presented in a fist-shaped form. The oblong leaves of the plant can be either double- or triple-feathery. Small white flowers are always collected in complex umbrellas. Their diameter does not exceed 17 cm.
The fruit is presented in the form of a small two-seed. Fresh mashed rhizomes and stems have a bitter taste and a strong specific smell. This species of angelica blooms from June to the end of August. It grows in wet meadows, along the gentle banks of streams and rivers, and among bushes. The plant is widespread in Russia and the CIS countries almost everywhere.
Angelica marsh. The presented plant species does not exceed one meter in height. This herbaceous perennial with a hollow, angularly grooved stem and large pinnately dissected leaves has oblong oval fruits, which are 5 mm long. Umbrellas reach 7 cm in diameter, they have 8 to 30 rays. The white petals are broadly ovoid. An elegant envelope consists of many linear-lanceolate leaves. Angelica marsh blooms all summer, from late May to mid-August.
The plant is found in Ukraine and Belarus, in the territories of the European part of Russia and in Eastern Siberia, as well as in Central Asia. It prefers damp meadows and swampy river banks as usual.
Angelica Chinese. This umbrella perennial is not very tall. It has dense powerful rhizomes, a hollow stem and large fleshy leaves. Small flowers form healing umbrellas. Such a medicinal plant has absorbed exceptional healing ingredients. Chinese angelica is contained in the popular dietary supplement "Lien-Yan", which today is very widely used for the effective treatment of respiratory diseases, gynecological ailments and gastrointestinal pathologies, as well as other chronic problems.
Angelica contraindications
Due to the plant's photosensitizing properties, it is necessary to avoid direct sunlight when using the herb. The prescribed doses should be strictly monitored, avoiding overdose.
The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist
Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).
