The Health and Beauty Benefits of Angelica Essential Oil
Like many essential oils, angelica essential oil offers many health and beauty benefits, angelica archangelica grows wild in Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland, mostly in the northern parts of the countries. Angelica has many health benefits and is cultivated in France, mainly in the Marais Poitevin, a marsh region close to Niort in the department Deux-Sèvres. Commercially available sources of angelica are often sourced from Hungary, Romania (the Rodna Mountains), Bulgaria, Germany (the Harz Mountains), and Poland. And even some South East Asian countries like Thailand.
Angelica archangelica, often called garden angelica, Holy Ghost, wild celery, and Norwegian angelica, is a biennial plant from the Apiaceae family, a subspecies that is grown for its sweetly aromatic, edible stems and roots. Like every other species in Apiaceae, its appearance resembles that of numerous other toxic varieties (Conium, Heracleum, and others), and should not be consumed unless it has been identified with absolute certainty.
Archangelica comes from the Greek word “arkhangelos” (arch-angel), due to the belief that it was the archangel Michael who told of its use as a medicine. Synonyms include Archangelica officinalis Hoffm. and Angelica officinalis Moench, read on for some suggested therapeutic uses of angelica essential oil.
During its first year it grows only leaves, but during its second year, its fluted stem can reach a height of 2.5 meters (just over 8 feet), and the root is used in flavoring preparations. Its leaves consist of numerous small leaflets divided into three principal groups, each of which is again subdivided into three lesser groups. The edges of the leaflets are finely toothed or serrated. The flowers, which blossom in July, are small and numerous, yellowish or greenish, are grouped into large, globular umbels which bear pale yellow, oblong fruits. Angelica grows only in damp soil, preferably near rivers or deposits of water.
| Name | Scientific Name | Origin | Benefits | Caution | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angelica | Angelica archangelica | Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Iceland. | Treats rheumatic conditions, virus infections, indigestion, coughs, colds, flatulence, colic, and urinary tract infections. As a blood cleanser. For symptoms of PMS and menopause. Topical application for scars, wounds, and bruises. Builds up the immune system. Used in perfumery. Culinary use in confectionery and to flavor dishes, preserves, jams and marmalades, and sweeten stewed fruit. Used to flavor spirits. Aromatic firewood. Making potpourri. | Should be kept out of reach of children, should not be brought in direct contact with eyes or skin. Should be diluted in a carrier oil and never used in its pure form. A patch test should be performed before applying. Avoid sun exposure when using. Avoid if diabetic, pregnant or nursing. | Airtight dark vial kept in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. |
From the 10th century on, angelica was cultivated as a vegetable and medicinal plant, and achieved popularity in Scandinavia in the 12th century and is used especially in Sami culture. Angelica is a shamanic medicine among the Saami or Laplanders. Linnaeus reported that Sami peoples used it to flavor reindeer milk. In 1602, angelica was introduced in Niort, which had just been ravaged by the plague.
The History of Angelica Essential Oil
Angelica has played a significant part in the history of alcohol distillation: it was used to flavor spirits like gin, absinthe, liqueurs, aquavits, and vermouth. It is used to flavor absinthes, liqueurs, bitters (beer), and aquavits (e.g., Chartreuse, Bénédictine, Vermouth, and Dubonnet);
Angelica is unique among the Umbelliferae for its pervading aromatic odor, a pleasant perfume entirely different from fennel, parsley, anise, caraway, or chervil. It has been compared to musk and to juniper. Angelica archangelica roots are among the most common botanicals used in gin distillation, often used in concert with juniper berries and coriander as a chief aromatic characteristic for gin.
Culinary Uses For the Angelica Plant
The best known culinary use of angelica is as the green, candied stems utilized in confectionery (candy making) and desserts. Chunks of the dried stems, preserved in sugar, and can add flavor to preserves, jams and marmalades. Making your own is really easy, and will have a better flavor and more health benefits than the store-bought kind. In Elizabethan England, angelica leaves were added to salads, and both leaves and roots were used to flavor fish and soft cheese dishes. As well as sweetening stewed fruit.
During times of low grain harvests, the dried roots—which could weigh up to 1.4 kg (3 lbs.)—were ground and used to make bread in lieu of flour. In addition to culinary uses such as in jams and omelets. The hollow stems of angelica archangelica may be eaten. The stems are picked clean of their leaves, crystallized in sugar syrup and colored green as cake decoration or as candy. A flute-like instrument with a clarinet-like sound can be created of its hollow stems.
Beauty Uses For the Angelica Plant
Many health and beauty practitioners, both ancient and modern, recommend angelica eye and face washes. You can make a mild decoction (extraction by boiling) from the seeds for this purpose. Angelica was the primary constituent of one of the earliest perfumes, Carmelite water, which was first distilled in the Middle Ages.
Other Uses For the Angelica Plant
The roots can be burned in the fireplace for a wonderful, purifying fragrance. Both leaves and roots can be added to a potpourri.
The Science of Angelica Essential Oil
The essential oil content of angelica root varies based on the age of the roots. Generally, the roots have high levels of terpenes, including α-pinene and β-phellandrene. Studies have found upwards of over eighty different aroma compounds present in samples. Of particular interest to perfumers and aroma chemists is Cyclopentadecanolide, which although present in small quantities, it’s primarily responsible for angelica’s distinctive musky aroma and was originally found in the roots. Angelica root essential oil is also referred to as Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit Root, Archangel Root, and Oil of Angels.
Though the essential oil yield of angelica seeds is slightly higher than that of the roots, the root oil is significantly more concentrated. It is the roots which are generally preferred for culinary and aromatic uses. Angelica seeds have a similar chemical composition to the roots, including α-pinene, β-pinene, camphene, myrcene, β-phellandrene, limonene, caryophyllene, borneol, carvone, angelic acid, sugar, valeric acid, and a resin known as angelicin.
Both the seeds and roots contain coumarins (natural benzopyrone derivatives present in plants, displaying pharmacological properties, as well as toxicity) and furocoumarins (a class of organic chemical compounds produced by a variety of plants). The seed pods of the Persian spice plant referred to as Golpar (Heracleum persicum) are usually sold in powdered form and are often erroneously sold as “angelica seeds.” The fruits are tiny mericarps.
The Health Benefits of Angelica Essential Oil
The health benefits of angelica essential oil are related to its properties as an anti-spasmodic, carminative, depurative, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, hepatic, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, nervine, stimulant, stomachic, and tonic. Angelica archangelica’s root have been used in Austrian medicine as a tea or tincture to treat gastrointestinal disorders. And is considered to have curative and restorative qualities.
Angelica essential oil has been used in aromatherapy to ease stress, exhaustion, and anxiety. Angelica can be used to treat rheumatic conditions, virus infections, a smoker’s cough, indigestion, flatulence, colic, and urinary tract (UTI) infections. Additionally, it is an emmenagogue (a blood cleanser) and can alleviate the symptoms of PMS and menopause.
It features a very pleasant scent, which is why it is well regarded for use in perfumery. Angelica essential oil should not be used on its own and should definitely be combined with other essential oils. There are two essential oils extracted from the angelica plant: one distilled from the seeds, and one from the roots. Occasionally they’re sold combined. The oil is highly viscous, but still fluid. When fresh, the oil is colorless, however, with age it turns yellow, and then dark brown. It should not be used once it has turned dark brown.
Angelica essential oil can be obtained from the roots once the plant is a year old. If you’re interested in greater detail, read this PDF on The Health and Beauty Benefits of Angelica Essential Oil. Angelica essential oil has many health benefits discussed below.
Therapeutic Uses of Angelica Essential Oil
A number of angelica essential oil uses are recommended here to guide you in almost any practical remedy application. Take care to dilute it in a carrier oil first.
- Add 2 drops of angelica essential oil to 1 drop of eucalyptus essential oil and use in steam inhalation for the treatment of migraines, nasal congestion, cold, whooping cough, headache, bronchitis, sinusitis, asthma, or any other breathing difficulties.
- Two drops of angelica seed oil combined with a few drops of eucalyptus, niaouli, or cajeput oil diluted in 20 ml (4 tsp.) of a base oil, either rubbed on the torso each morning, or added sparingly to a warm bath, is useful in treating coughs and colds.
- A gentle massage with 1 drop of angelica essential oil mixed with 1 drop of yarrow essential oil, and 1 drop of eucalyptus essential oil diluted in 15ml of pure coconut oil, applied to your chest, throat and back can offer fast relief from blocked nasal passages, runny nose, sore throat, dry cough, itchy eyes, and fatigue brought on by a cold or the flu.
- Massaging the soles of the feet with 2 drops of angelica essential oil and 1 drop of cumin essential oil mixed with 2 ml of evening primrose oil might help in reducing body temperature in cases of fever.
- Adding 2 drops of angelica essential oil and 2 drops of petitgrain essential oil to a warm bath daily can help boost your immune system.
- Go for an invigorating massage with 5 drops of angelica essential oil, 2 drops of rosewood essential oil, 2 drops of cumin essential oil, and 2 drops of fennel essential oil diluted in 100 ml of virgin olive oil to support your body’s defense mechanisms.
- Massaging your stomach with 2 drops of angelica essential oil and 2 drops of vetiver essential oil mixed with 2 ml of sesame oil can help stimulate the secretion bile and other digestive acids.
- Inhaling the bitter aroma of 1 drop of angelica essential oil added to your diffuser (or a tissue) supports the healing of ulcers in the stomach lining and intestinal walls.
- Massaging inflamed areas of the body with 5 drops of angelica essential oil, 2 drops of fennel essential oil, and 3 drops of John’s Wort (Hypericum) oil diluted in 50 ml of coconut oil can help reduce inflammation, pain, swelling, soreness, irritation, and redness. You can also add 2 drops of Angelica oil to a warm compress to alleviate pain related to rheumatic conditions and arthritis.
- Adding 2 drops of angelica essential oil to your vaporizer or diffuser can elevate your mood. It can also ease the nervousness, depression, and fatigue experienced during the menstrual cycle. And even ease post or pre-menopausal period symptoms.
- Gently rubbing 3 drops of angelica essential oil and 2 drops of Dill oil diluted in 20 ml of sesame oil to your lower abdomen, thighs, lower back and around your genital area can help reduce menstrual pain, abdominal cramps, dysmenorrhea, nausea, fatigue, nervousness, and headaches related to menstruation and menopause.
- Two drops of angelica essential oil and 1 drop of Rose oil added to an air freshener or diffuser can help uplift and enhance your mood. It can promote a more restful sleep by calming and relaxing the nerves.
- A weekly rejuvenating massage with 5 drops of angelica essential oil, 3 drops of rosewood essential oil, 3 drops of petitgrain essential oil, 3 drops of chamomile essential oil, and 1 drop of rose essential oil diluted in 75 ml of jojoba oil can alleviate nervous tension, anxiety, pain, anger, depression, and hypertension.
- It makes a remarkable ointment for scars, wounds, and bruises. Dilute 5 drops of angelica oil in 10 ml (2 tsp.) of a vegetable oil, like almond, and apply 3 times a day at first, then once every day until problem tissue fades. Patience, results take time.
- Slices of the dried roots of angelica, chewed twice daily for 6 months, can help build up the immune system.
- The stems, chewed after meals, prevent flatulence and indigestion–or you can steep the stems for 2-3 weeks in an aperitif, and drink a little before or after meals.
Precautions
The essential oil of angelica which is obtained from the plant’s roots consists of coumarins, which can interfere with other prescription drugs. Allergy symptoms, like redness, blisters, hives, bumps, or darkening of the skin may occur with its use, and may be delayed. Always perform a patch test first.
Caution: Don not expose yourself to the sun or ultra-violet light right after use.
Direct contact of angelica root oil with skin may cause increased sensitivity to sunlight. In higher doses, it can over-stimulate the nervous system, and can cause or aggravate hyperactivity. Consult a physician before using in aromatherapy or as a topical application.
Essential Oils to Avoid in Pregnancy
Don’t use if pregnant or diabetic.
Women who are pregnant should use essential oils with caution. Some oils are best steering clear of altogether. These are: Acorus Calamus, Ajwain, Allspice, Amyris, Anise (Aniseed), Angelica, Apricot Kernel, Asafoetida, Cinnamon, Clove, Cumin, Fennel, Hyssop, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Star Anise, Sweet Birch, and Wintergreen.
Never use essential oils in a humidifier, CPAP machine, or any other breathing device.
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Sources:
https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/5123-2/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelica_archangelica
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heracleum_persicum
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furanocoumarin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coumarin