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Angelica Essential Oil
Angelica Angelica archangelica also known as masterwort, wild parsnip, and wild celery; A tall perennial/biennial (the seeds take two to three years to mature) plant with thick, fleshy, often twisted or braided gray-brown, reddish or purple-brown taproots, weighing up to 3 pounds, with many rootlets attached. It only grows leaves during its first year, and a fluted stem that grows up to two metres tall during the second year. The stem is stout, fluted purplish which is divided into numerous branches with greenish-white flowers borne in compound umbels. Angelica is unique among the Umbelliferæ for its pervading aromatic odor. All parts of the plant are aromatic and the flowers have a honey-like scent. Angelica is considered to be native to Europe, although it was possibly introduced from Syria. It is cultivated in Belgium, Holland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, the United States and Canada.
Since the 10th century on, angelica has been cultivated as a vegetable and medicinal plant, and achieved great popularity in Scandinavia in the 12th century and is still used today, especially in the Samic culture. A flute-like instrument with a clarinet-like sound can be made from its hollow stem, probably as a toy for children. In 1602, angelica was introduced in Niort, France, which had just be ravaged by the plague, and it has been popular there ever since. It is used to flavour liqueurs or aquavits (e.g. Chartreuse, Benedictine, Vermouth and Dubonnet), omelettes and trout, and as jam. The long bright green stems are also candied and used as decoration.
Angelica is a close relative of the carrot, parsley, celery, fennel, and dill; and there are several different species of this herb. European angelica (Angelica archangelica) and American angelica (A. atropurpurea) have traditionally been used to treat headache, colds, and bronchial and lung disease. Chinese angelica (A. sinensis), commonly called Dong quai or Dang gui, is used in traditional Asian medicine to treat gynecologic disorders such as painful menstruation, as well as a host of menopausal symptoms. The German Government has issued a monograph finding Angelica root effective for appetite loss, digestive ailments, and mild gastrointestinal tract spasm. The American Botanical Council reports the following, “Angelica is considered to have diaphoretic and expectorant properties. Cardiovascular effects have also been reported . . . used also for menstrual regulation and as an expectorant . . . Reportedly used in Europe for centuries to treat stomach troubles caused by indigestion.”
German studies also found that angelica does indeed relax the windpipe, and may be effective for treating colds, flu, bronchitis, and asthma. Angelica has also been said to induce uterine cramping and menstruation—American colonists sometimes used angelica for abortion. Today Dong quai is an active ingredient in many herbal formulations designed to balance women’s hormones and to promote breast growth or enhancement.
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 Essential oil the yield by steam distillation of the root is very low. The average content of volatile oil in the distillate of dried angelica root can be expected to be in the range of 0.04 to 0.05%. Certain oils, including angelica root contain their most valuable constituents in the last runs (highest boiling fractions), and in these cases must be prolonged for hours even though almost no oil seems to distill over toward the end of the operation. It takes 12 - 24 hours to exhaust the root material. An oil is also produced from the seed of Angelica archangelica. The seed oil is a water-white or very pale yellow oil with a strong, fresh, light peppery odor. It is sometimes used to adulterate the root oil and can be difficult to detect.
There are no traditional aromatherapy uses of angelica essential oil documented. However in modern aromatherapy the oil has been recommended for treating a weak stomach or digestive system, lack of appetite, anorexia, flatulence, chronic gastritis and chronic enteritis. But it is probably more highly esteemed in the perfume and flavor industries.
The oil is said to be non-toxic and non-irritant at low levels but is phototoxic and a possible irritant and sentsitizer at higher levels. Use on the skin should be avoided for at least 12 hours before exposure to sunlight. Overuse may cause insomnia. It should be avoided during pregnancy and by those with diabetes.
FDA has not objected to claims for Angelica submitted to it pursuant to DSHEA (Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act) including: “promoting women’s health and well being”; “female balancer and tonic”; “help maintain a woman’s health and well-being during and after menopause”; “gives a woman’s body the tools it needs to sustain health and well being through the natural change”.
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| GRAS Status: |
Angelica Root essential oil has GRAS status
Angelica Seed essential oil has GRAS status
Angelica Stem essential oil has GRAS status
(49) |
Properties, Indications
and Uses: |
Properties: Antispasmodic, carminative, depurative, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, nervous system sedative, stimulant, stomachic, tonic.
Indicated for: Spasms in the gut, anxiety, and nervous fatigue, anorexia, asthma and stomach ulcers. (1)
Uses:
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): Use 1 drop of Angelica Root oil on a tissue, tucked into a bra strap, to allow the odour of the oil to rise during the day. Or, add 3 drops of Angelica root oil to 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and massage the abdomen in gentle clockwise circles, starting at the persons bottom right hand side. (25)
Respiratory infections: Add 1 or 2 drops of Angelica root oil into a bowl of hot tap water, and inhale the vapours, covering your head with a towel to keep the fumes contained. (25)
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| Perfumery Uses: | Angelica root essential oil is highly esteemed in perfumery, The oil blends well with patchouli, opoponax, costus, clary sage, vetiver, oakmoss, coumarin etc. in heavy chypres, oriental bases or in special citrus colognes and fougeres. |
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