Angelica is a genus of about 60 species of tall biennial and perennial herbs in the family Apiaceae, native to temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere, reaching as far north as Iceland and Lapland. They grow to 1–3 m tall, with large bipinnate leaves and large compound umbels of white or greenish-white flowers.

Angelica species grow to 1–3 m tall, with large bipinnate leaves and large compound umbels of white or greenish-white flowers. Their large, sparkling, starburst flowers are pollinated by a great variety of insects (the generalist pollination syndrome), the floral scents are species-specific, and even specific to particular subspecies. The active ingredient of angelica is found in the roots and rhizomes and contains furocoumarins in its tissues which make the skin sensitive to light.

Angelica extracted from the plant Angelica of the Umbelliferae family. It is sweet herbal smelling oil that has a spicy undertone and is also known as European Angelica.

The plant is said to originate from Africa and was introduced to Europe in the 16th century. It is considered a native plant of northern and eastern Europe, as well as parts of Asia and the Soviet Union, and is found in Scotland, Holland, Lapland and Germany.

 

This herb is included in the famous Chartreuse and Benedictine liqueur. When the Black Plague swept Europe, the herb was considered an antidote for it, and "Angelica Water" was taken up in a Royal Prescription and published by the College of Physicians when the plague swept London in 1665. It is also used to flavor gin, perfumes, and traditionally candied for cake decoration and confectionery.

It is a rather large, water-loving herb, with broad pointed leaves dividing into smaller leaflets and has small white-green flowers. It has a strong aromatic scent and a large rhizome.

Angelica Floral Water can be added to creams & lotions. It can also be added to a bath in place of normal water and can be used as a deodorant, facial sprinter and as a cooling agent in saunas.

Benefit & Uses:  Angelica has been used topically as an anti-coagulant and is calming to the nervous system. It can be applied in carrier oil (such as vegetable or olive oil) and applied to the solar plexus to help with indigestion and flatulence. It also helps to reduce inflammation of the intestinal wall.

Angelica essential oil contains begotten, so it is recommended not to apply to an area that could be exposed to extreme sunlight or ultra violet light. Angelica can be added to massage oils and therapeutic oils and lotions. It also can be applied to the bottom of your feet to help diffuse.

Angelica can be found in Forgiveness, Grounding, Harmony, Legacy, Live with Passion, and Surrender essential oil blends. It is ancient oil, dating all the way back to the time of Paracelsus. In the 1600's the stems of the angelica plant were chewed and a way to avoid the plague.

Angelica's therapeutic properties are many. Ensure you see a physician for proper dosing before applying the oil to a child. If you have any adverse reaction such as redness, unusual irritation, or rash discontinue use and contact you physician immediately.

 

Angelica is used as a flavoring agent in culinary applications. It also has medicinal use, topical/ aromatic use as well as use in therapeutic practices, for its properties like antispasmodic, depurative, carminative, digestive, diaphoretic, hepatic, diuretic, nerving, febrifuge, stimulant, stomachic and tonic.