culture and history
Ironically, even though the herb is said to "cause a disgust for spirituous liquors," the tiny green-white flowers of angelica are an ingredient in the alcoholic beverages absinthe, Chartreuse, Bénédictine, gin and vermouth. In northern Europe, the roots are used in bread making, the foliage is fed to reindeer to increase milk production and children use the hollow stems to make a lute-like toy for amusement. The Sámi of Norway, Finland and Russia, also referred to as Laplanders, added the fresh or dried root to snuff. A traditional sweet is made from the candied stems, which were at one time the original green candies that appeared in the earliest fruitcakes.

The young leaves can be added to salads, savory soups, fruit dishes and used to enhance the flavor of stews and braised meats. The dried, ground root imparts and earthier flavor and can be used in baking breads, cakes, muffins and cookies. The dried leaves can be used to brew tea and the stems can be cooked as a vegetable like asparagus or rhubarb.

angelica then and now
Angelica is an herb that’s been used for thousands of years, but isn’t utilized as much as it could be today. It got its name from links to Christianity in Europe. It was once called "the root of the Holy Ghost" and people believed that it could cure almost any ailment. In fact, it was even believed to cure alcoholism by making liquor taste bad after someone ingested angelica powder.

Today we know that it’s not a cure for everything, but there are many uses for the plant. In particular, angelica is thought to be good for the circulation and the heart. It's especially good for people who have circulation problems in the limbs. Angelica can help bring blood to those parts of the body that are far away from the heart, such as the hands and feet. Some recent research has found chemicals in angelica that are similar to chemicals used in modern day pharmaceuticals for treating high blood pressure and other problems related to heart disease. Its ability to strengthen the heart makes angelica a good tonic herb for people of all ages, but especially women and the elderly.

It helps to provide good overall health. However, it does have other properties that make it a useful herb.

Angelica can work to fight bacteria. That makes it an excellent herb for preventing infections and treating mild bacterial infections. An infusion of angelica can be just what you need to fight bronchitis or other respiratory infections. It's also a good treatment for cough when used as syrup.

If you have arthritis, angelica can help to soothe inflamed joints. Try drinking a cup of angelica infused tea twice a day. You can add honey or maple syrup to the tea in order to sweeten it, which will make it a little tastier.

In addition to helping reduce inflammation in your body, angelica tea can also aid your digestion after a big meal. If you’re suffering from heartburn or indigestion, you may want to finish your dinner with a cup of angelica tea. This will help you to rest comfortably and sleep better.

Angelica also can be used for aromatherapy. You can make a bath sachet of angelica by placing it in old nylons or cheesecloth and adding it to your bath. The warm water will infuse the scent into the air and help you to relax.

Angelica is truly a useful herb. It can be used to treat a variety of ailments. One word of caution, angelica can make the skin sensitive to sunlight.

Parts used: From the hip to the head of the roots, leaves, and seeds.