The plant and its subspecies and varieties are endemic to all temperate zones of Asia and Europe, especially in the more northern regions. The root comes mainly from cultures in Holland, Poland and Thuringia. It is mainly the root (Angelicae radix) that is used as a drug, but sometimes the whole plant (Angelicae herba), the fruits or essential oil of the plant (Oleum angelicae).
Angelica: characteristics
Angelica archangelica L. is a vigorous perennial plant between 1 and 2.5 meters high, biennial, with a thick stem purple at the top. It has two- to three-pinnate leaves with inflated leaf sheaths. The small green flowers are in large double umbels without a sheath. In Central Europe angelica is known only since the 14th century.
Origin of the name
If we can believe the legend, the name of the plant comes from the fact that it was shown to people by an angel (Latin Angelus = angel). At that time, angelica root was taken to treat plague and against “evil magic”.
Angelica root as a medicine
The root drug consists of cylindrical, thin root pieces that are gray, black or red-brown on the outside and have longitudinal furrows. The woody body is yellow and radially striped.
Odor and taste of angelica
Angelica root smells very spicy. The taste of angelica root is first aromatic to sweet, then bitter, pungent and persistent burning.
