Angelica is not only an herb that offers medicinal benefits, it
one that has many tales that surround the magical qualities of its
healing powers.
There some say that the plant can tower to over 8 feet high and only blooms upon the 8th of May which is the feast day of St. Michael. Yet others believe that wearing a weaved necklace of the plant would ward of any evil spirits.
During the great plague in 1665 a monk supposedly met an angel in a dream who told him that the juice of the herb angelica would cure the disease. And the tales go on and on.
Angelica grows in the wild swampy areas in North America. It is most widely seen from Minnesota to Newfoundland.
While the magical myths of the plant are far stretched the properties of healing in the plant are not.
They are very real. The medicinal use of the herb in today's word centers around digestive and bronchial problems. The root and seeds of the plant are used to treat indigestion, gastritis, inflammation of the intestines and gas.
The leaves steeped in tea are also used for digestive help. An infusion of the leaves and roots together are used to treat bronchial costs as the root has an expectorant property to it.
The root and leaves combined in a tea are used to relieve insomnia, nervous headaches, fevers, rheumatism and tooth aches. A word of caution, it is also known that the herb will induce miscarriages in pregnant women.
This herb should be avoided completely if you are expecting. It was said at one time that a glass of wine with a dash of angelica worked better than a cold shower to cool off the passionate desires.
In general this herb is considered safe for others however some say that angelica is much like coffee and shows evidence of carcinogenicity. The FDA considers it a safe herb to be used.
There is another issue with this plant. In the wild the angelica plant looks nearly identically with water hemlock. They grow in the same habitat as well. The difference is that water hemlock is poisonous.
If you are not an experienced herbalist this is not the herb to begin collecting in the wild.
There some say that the plant can tower to over 8 feet high and only blooms upon the 8th of May which is the feast day of St. Michael. Yet others believe that wearing a weaved necklace of the plant would ward of any evil spirits.
During the great plague in 1665 a monk supposedly met an angel in a dream who told him that the juice of the herb angelica would cure the disease. And the tales go on and on.
Angelica grows in the wild swampy areas in North America. It is most widely seen from Minnesota to Newfoundland.
While the magical myths of the plant are far stretched the properties of healing in the plant are not.
They are very real. The medicinal use of the herb in today's word centers around digestive and bronchial problems. The root and seeds of the plant are used to treat indigestion, gastritis, inflammation of the intestines and gas.
The leaves steeped in tea are also used for digestive help. An infusion of the leaves and roots together are used to treat bronchial costs as the root has an expectorant property to it.
The root and leaves combined in a tea are used to relieve insomnia, nervous headaches, fevers, rheumatism and tooth aches. A word of caution, it is also known that the herb will induce miscarriages in pregnant women.
This herb should be avoided completely if you are expecting. It was said at one time that a glass of wine with a dash of angelica worked better than a cold shower to cool off the passionate desires.
In general this herb is considered safe for others however some say that angelica is much like coffee and shows evidence of carcinogenicity. The FDA considers it a safe herb to be used.
There is another issue with this plant. In the wild the angelica plant looks nearly identically with water hemlock. They grow in the same habitat as well. The difference is that water hemlock is poisonous.
If you are not an experienced herbalist this is not the herb to begin collecting in the wild.
Bright blessings,
Ashira
http://www.ashira.ws
ashira@ashira.ws
Ashira is a Practicing Pagan for over 15 years. Currently she is a featured columnist at http://Asknow.com
The Witches' Child Author
Bacon Bits Author
FFWA Member
Cassel Network of Writers Member
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ashira_RAshira
http://www.ashira.ws
ashira@ashira.ws
Ashira is a Practicing Pagan for over 15 years. Currently she is a featured columnist at http://Asknow.com
The Witches' Child Author
Bacon Bits Author
FFWA Member
Cassel Network of Writers Member
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