Health Benefits
Angelica, named after the Archangel Michael for its savior role in the plague in Medieval Europe, is truly an angel in disguise when it comes to relieving digestive and respiratory complaints. However, it has a lot more to offer:
Digestive health
Respiratory health
Arthritis
Blood circulation & PMS Symptoms
Skin and hair health
Digestive health
As a carminative and digestive aid, Angelica root will relax the stomach muscles, help the movement of intestines and relax the colon – and in turn this will help with indigestion, bloating, gas, gastrointestinal spasms, acid reflux, nausea, and vomiting.
It is great for improving appetite and has even been helpful in anorexia nervosa.
Be careful with gastro-intestinal reflux as it may exaggerate the condition.
The German Commission E, the German equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), approves of the use of Angelica archangelica as a remedy for high fever, symptoms of the common cold, urinary tract infection and dyspeptic complaints.
It combines well with fennel, caraway, ginger or chamomile for the best digestive benefits.
Respiratory health
With its many medicinal compounds, Angelica acts as the respiratory relaxant to help release congestion and allow the flow of mucus as well as a lung tonic to heal and strengthen lung tissue. So angelica is very useful with coughs, asthma, and bronchitis especially with fever related to colds and influenza. It will also increase sweating and help the body release and eliminate toxins through the skin.
It combines well with coltsfoot, cowslip or licorice for relieving a cough.
Take Angelica root until you are feeling well as it also helps a lot with easier recovery.It can be combined with Yarrow, Thyme or Ginger for fevers and recovery after an illness.
Arthritis
As an anti-rheumatic Angelica works best when combined with other herbs which support each others benefits, such as burdock root, cowslip or fireweed.
Blood circulation & PMS Symptoms
Using angelica root can prove to be a blessing for women suffering from menstrual cramps. It has a beneficial effect on blood circulation and increases the blood flow to the pelvis, which soothes the painful cramps. It also helps to balance the level of hormones, which leads to a decrease in all of the uncomfortable symptoms of PMS.
Skin and hair health
Angelica is excellent for the beauty and health of skin and hair.The tea can be used as a face wash to treat various skin conditions and make the skin softer, clearer and healthier (or add a few drops of the extract to your regular face wash). It also cleans the skin and treats acne, rashes, inflammation, and eczema.You can also add it to your bath to treat your skin and soothe any problem – add 2 cups of Angelica tea into warm water. Coconut oil can also be added for obtaining the best results. This bath relieves inflammation, softens the skin and helps to treat eczema.
Additionally, Angelica root has been used for hair loss treatment for centuries by the Chinese. Enriched with Vitamin E, it helps in stimulating the circulation of oxygen in the body and the scalp. It helps to promote the metabolism and replenishes the nutrient supply in the body, which are essential for the growth of hair. It helps to oxidize blood, which eventually helps in the oxidation of hair cells. It also promotes the regeneration of damaged hair cells.
Wash out your hair with Angelica tea or massage a few drops of the extract on the scalp to feed your hair and make it happy and shinning!