ANGELICA

BOTANICAL NAME: Angelica sylvestris /Angelica archangelica / Angelica officinalis

BOTANICAL FAMILY: Umbelliferae

COMMON NAMES: Masterwort, Archangel, Garden Angelica, The Angel's Herb, Bellyache Root, Root of the Holy Ghost, Herba Angelica ( Angel's Plant or ‘angelic herb’ ),

CAUTION: Diabetics should not take internally.  Angelica should not be taken in large doses over an extended period of time as it may have an untoward effect on blood pressure, heart action and respiration. Care should be taken when collecting, as it can be confused with several poisonous species. It may irritate the skin. It should not be eaten by pregnant women.

NATURAL HISTORY:

Angelica is a native of Europe and Asia, cultivated in Britain since the 16th century. It is a biennial with large, bright green lobed leaves which are serrated and divided into three sections, and a thick stem which is hollow and ridged. The flowers appear during July and August of the second year and are greeny-white umbels. The plant has a robust tap root. The seeds are oval and ridged. Angelica can reach a height of between 4 - 6 ft. The whole plant is highly scented. The wild native British version, Angelica sylvestris, is smaller and less aromatic. Angelica can be grown as a short lived perennial or as a biennial.

Cultivation : The roots can be divided during the early spring. Cuttings can also be taken at this time. The life span of the angelica can be increased to three years if the flowers are removed during the second year. If left to flower it will self seed. It will grow in sun or partial shade, in moist, fertile soil. Sow the seeds spring or autumn when fresh. The plant will self seed readily.

Gathering : The stems and leaves should be collected before the plant flowers. Seed can be collected as soon as ripe and the roots can be harvested at the end of the season, but before the first winter frosts.

VARIETIES:

Angelica sylvestris.  Grows near water and marshy ground.  Umbrella like flower heads have light pink tinge.  Stems are hollow and downy.  Can be distinguished by swollen sheathing petioles of the smaller upper leaves on stem. Flowers July-Sept Peeled stems can be cooked in several changes of water. Roots can also be cooked.

Angelica archangelica  is an introduction to Britain from Northern Europe and has escaped into the wild and become established in several locations.

PRACTICAL USES: Angelica can be cooked as a vegetable; the young shoots may be used in salads, and the candied stems in cakes and desserts. The tincture can be added to flavour drinks. Angelica oil has been used in perfumes. The seeds, roots and oil are used to flavour confectionary, liqueurs and vermouths. It attracts insects that destroy garden pests. An oil is commercially expressed.

LORE :

The plant is universally known by its botanical name which is derived from the Greek angelos which means 'a messenger'. There is a myth that an angel dreamt that the plant would cure the plague, hence its botanical name.

Angelica has been known since ancient times and has at one time or another been credited with the ability to cure almost anything. It was frequently used as a remedy against all enchantments and evil potions and was added to the bath water to remove curses or spells against an individual and the powdered root was sprinkled around the home to ward off evil. It is said to be a protection against all evil and the plague. Angelica is closely associated with the Annunciation and with St. Michael who is said to have revealed the curative properties of angelica to a monk during the plague. Lore has it that angelica blooms on St. Michael's day, May 8th.

Its sweetness made it highly popular in the days before sugar.

It was carried as a charm to protect from the plague and it was collected from the fields around London, including Lincoln’s Inn fields during the plague in 1665.  It was said to offer protection against evil spirits, apparitions, witches, devils etc. and children were given necklaces of the leaves. Ghost. Culpeper recommended that it should be collected when the sun was in Leo. In 1656 William Coles said that if a man carried a piece of angelica root he would be protected from evil:

"Contagious air ingendering pestilence

Infects not those that in the mouth have ta'en

Angelica, that happy counterbane."

It was also thought that angelica was an anaphrodisiac, 'abating lust in young persons'.

MAGICAL VIRTUES:

Angelica is a powerful purification herb, with its energy of the sun and the cleansing power of fire. As such it may be used to purify the person, sacred and personal space and in the fumigation on those rare occasions when exorcism may be necessary.

An infusion of angelica may be added to the purification bath to clear any negativity and to strengthen and heal the spirit. Burning angelica leaves may be used to cleanse the aura. To clear a bad atmosphere from a house use a wash made with angelica infusion to clean all surfaces, windows etc. It is a good idea to give the temple a regular cleansing with angelica wash, and also to burn angelica leaves and frankincense after any ritual or working.

Angelica has long been considered a herb of protection. The infused oil or herb tisane may be used to seal doors and windows against negative influences, or may be used as an incense. The dried root can be carried as a protective amulet.

Angelica is also employed in rituals for health and healing. A bath containing angelica infusion is soothing and strengthening, and helps to counter any negative attitudes towards the illness. Angelica oil may be used to anoint a blue candle for healing. The dried leaves may be added to the incense during a healing rite.

In the circle angelica may be used to invoke the direction of the south and the element of fire, the quarter of the Summer Solstice, noonday and Magical Will. Angelica is one of the sacred plants of the summer solstice, or Coamhain. It may be used as an offering in the incense, thrown onto the bonfire, worn in garlands or used in decorations.

Those working to develop the Magical Will may want to use angelica as a tea or incense to communicate with the Higher Self., to gain self knowledge and divine one's magical purpose. Angelica is a plant of inspiration, the message imparted to the consciousness by higher powers. Shamanically, the leaves of angelica can be smoked to increase the ability to see into other realms.

Ritual magicians may use angelica to communicate with or invoke the archangel Michael.

For magical purposes angelica should be planted during the waning moon.

MEDICINAL:

 Actions: diuretic, expectorant, anti-spasmodic

 Used fresh (if possible ) angelica can be made into a tea to aid digestion, ease stomach ache and intestinal problems, relieve toothache and counter flatulence. As a digestive it stimulates the appetite and may be used in cases of anorexia nervosa. It is also believed to be a tonic for colds and flu. The infusion can also be used externally as an eyebath for tired eyes. An infusion of 2 tsp of the dried her to half a cup of boiling water helps to relive stomach, urinary and menstrual problems, fevers, spasms, coughs. To relive rheumatic or arthritic pain, use a compress, massage oil, or add to the bath water. Leaf and root infusions aid travel sickness, chest complaints and coughs, and stimulate the digestive, urinary and reproductive systems. Added to the bath they relieve sore muscles and joints.

An infusion can also be used as a skin lotion for scabies, itching, wounds and rheumatism. The leaves can be used in compresses for inflammations. The crushed leaves are believed to help prevent travel sickness by freshening the air inside the car.