Angelica arch angelica, commonly known as Garden Angelica, Holy Ghost, Wild Celery and Norwegian angelica, is a biennial plant from the Apieceae family, a subspecies of which is cultivated for its sweetly scented edible stems and roots. Like several other species in Apiaceae, its appearance is similar to several poisonous species and should not be consumed unless it has been identified with absolute certainty.
During its first year it only grows leaves, but during its second year its fluted stem can reach a height of two meters (or six feet). Its leaves are composed of numerous small leaflets, divided into three principal groups, each of which is again subdivided into three lesser groups. The edges of the leaflets are finely toothed or serrated. The flowers, which blossom in July, are small and numerous, yellowish or greenish in color, are grouped into large, globular umbels, which bear pale yellow, oblong fruits. Angelica only grows in damp soil, preferably near rivers or deposits of water.
Angelica arch angelica grows wild in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, mostly in the northern parts of the countries. It is cultivated in France and other South East Asian countries like Thailand mainly in the Marais Poitevin, a marsh region close to Niort in the department Deux-Sevres. It also grows in certain regions in Germany like the Harz Mountains and in certain regions of Romania, like the Ronda Mountain.
Angelica is a plant. The root, seed, and fruit are used to make medicine. Angelica is used for heartburn, intestinal gas (flatulence), loss of appetite (anorexia), arthritis, circulation problems, "runny nose", nervousness, 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. It has applied angelica directly to the skin for nerve pain (neuralgia), joint pain (rheumatism), and skin disorders. In combination with other herbs, angelica is also used for treating premature ejaculation.
Benefit & Uses: From the 10th century on, angelica was cultivated as vegetable and medicinal plant, and achieved popularity in Scandinavia in the 12th century and is still used today, especially in Sami culture. A flute-like instrument with a clarinet-like sound can be made of its hollow stem. Linnaeus reported that Sami peoples used it in reindeer milk, as it is often used as a flavoring agent.
Angelica is unique amongst the Umbelliferae for its pervading aromatic odor, a pleasant perfume entirely different from fennel, parsley, anise, caraway or chervil. One old writer compares it to musk, others liken it to juniper. Even the roots are fragrant, and form one of the principal aromatics of European growth - the other parts of the plant have the same flavor, but their active principles are considered more perishable.
The plant is used as a digestive aid.
The fruits are tiny mericarps and are used in the production of absinthe and other alcoholic drinks. Seeds of a Persian spice plant known as Golpar are often labeled as "angelica seeds".
Angelica arch angelica roots have been used in the traditional Austrian medicine internally as tea or tincture for treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, nervous system, and also against fever, infections, and flu.
When a combination of angelica and five others herbs is used. A specific combination product containing angelica seems to improve symptoms of upset stomach including acid reflux, stomach pain, cramping and nausea, vomiting. The combination includes angelica plus peppermint leaf, clown's mustard plant, German chamomile, caraway, licorice, milk thistle, celandine and lemon balm.
Premature ejaculation, when applied directly to the skin of the penis in combination with other medicines. The multi-ingredient cream studied in research contains Panax ginseng root, angelica root.