Angelica Root Essential Oil (Angelica archangelica)

Overview

Angelica Root may also be referred to as Archangel Root, Garden Angelica, Wild Celery, Angel Herb, Norweigian Angelica, European Angelica, Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit Root, Oil of Angels. It is typically processed in Belgium, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Holland, Hungary, India, Poland, Slovak Republic an using steam distilled or co2 select extraction as a method for extracting oil from the seeds, leaves, and the roots and rhizome.

Summary

Angelica oil comes from the roots of the Angelica archangelica (Archangelica officinalis) plant. It has a herby, spicy scent and is a base note oil. Angelica root is frequently used for its arsenal of therapeutic properties.

A number of sources indicate that Angelica Root Essential Oil may help fight infections, stimulate the immune system and help motivate the elimination of toxins.

Essential Facts

Aroma Description:
Cool Earthy Exotic Fresh Herbaceous Musky Rich Slightly musky Spicy Woody
Common Name(s): Archangel Root, Garden Angelica, Wild Celery, Angel Herb, Norweigian Angelica, European Angelica, Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit Root, Oil of Angels
Botanical Family: Apiaceae
Botanical Genus: Angelica
Chemical Family: Monoterpenes
Major Compounds: a-pinene, Camphene, B-pinene, Sabinene, d-3-carene, a-Phellandrene, Myrcene, Limonene, B-phellandrene, cis-Ocimene, Trans-ocimene, p-Cymene, Terpinolene, Copaene, Bornyl acetate Terpinen-4-ol Cryptone B-bisabolene Humulene monoxide Tridecanolide Pentadecanolide, acetate, Terpinen-4-ol, Cryptone, B-bisabolene, Humulene monoxide, Tridecanolide, Pentadecanolide
Perfumery Note: Top
Consistency: Thin
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium - Strong
Color: Pale Yellow
Countries of Production: Belgium, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Holland, Hungary, India, Poland, Slovak Republic an
Indigenous Country: Northern Europe or North Europe / North America
Cultivation: Wild Harvested
Processing Methods: Steam Distilled or CO2 Select Extraction
Part Typically Used: Seeds, leaves, and the roots and rhizome
Shelf Life: indefinite

Ethically and sustainably sourced
Wild Harvested
Vegan
Not recommended or safe if pregnant or nursing
Not recommend or safe for children

Essential Details

Benefits & Uses

May be benefitial for addressing the following ailments:

Addiction (Smoking) Arthritis Coughs Exhaustion Fatigue Fever Flatulence Fleas ( Dogs ) Gout Libido Psoriasis Sinusitis Stress Toxin Build-up Water Retention Wounds

Benefits of Angelica Root:

Is calming, helps release and let go of negative feelings, trauma or anger, used for loss of appetite as well.

Therapeutic Benefits of Angelica Root:

Anti-anxiety Anti-arthritic Anti-bacterial Anti-fungal Anti-microbial Anti-spasmodic Carminative Depurative Digestive stimulant Digestive tonic Diuretic Emmenagogic Emmenagogue Expectorant Febrifuge Nervine Stomachic Sudorific Wound healing

Other Uses for Angelica Root:

It is grown for traditional use in herbal medicine, or for the essential oil needed in the production of various alcoholic beverages.

Culinary: Some food products and beverages, notably liquors, are flavored with angelica.

Perfumery: It enters in the composition of soaps, lotions, and perfumes.

Blends

Angelica Root Blends:

Basil Chamomile, Roman Cinnamon Clary Sage Cypress Geranium Grapefruit Juniper Berry Lavender Lemon Mandarin Marjoram Patchouli Rosemary Vetiver

Cautions & Safety

Cautions when using Angelica Root:

Angelica Root Essential Oil isphototoxic. Although the steam distilled essential oil is preferred for holistic aromatherapy and is the basis for this profile, it's prudent to mention that Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young also mention that Angelica Root CO2 and Angelica Root Absolute are also possibly phototoxic. Reading Tisserand and Young's full profile is recommended. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 87.]

Avoid Angelica Root Oil during pregnancy and diabetes. [Julia Lawless,The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 84.]

Safety Precautions for Angelica Root:

Although non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing, angelica root essential oil is nevertheless strongly phototoxic due to the presence of bergapten. The oil should not be applied to the skin in excess of the recommended maximum dilution of 0.78 per cent; otherwise the skin should not be exposed to sunlight or sunbed rays for at least 12 hours.

Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.

Avoid Angelica Root if:

Avoid Angelica Root Oil during pregnancy and diabetes.

Botany

Botanical Description of Angelica Root:

During its first year it grows only leaves, but during its second year its stem can reach a height of 80 cm to 2.5 m. The former name of this family, Umbelliferae, refers to the greeny-white flowers grouped into large and globular umbels. Angelica grows only in damp soil, preferably near rivers.

History

History of Angelica Root:

Angelica was traditionally used, especially in Chinese medicine, as a natural restorative for its ability to soothe menopausal symptoms and negative moods as well as for its skin enhancing properties.

It is supposed to be native to Syria from where it has spread into northern Europe. It is commonly found in the far north countries of Scandinavia, Iceland and Lapland. It grows naturally in some parts of Scotland. There are about 30 different varieties of Angelica but only Angelica Archangelica is used medicinally and commercially. It is widely cultivated in England for its candied stems. It has spread, self-sown, into the countryside and gardens, appreciated for its tall and decorative foliage, for its medicinal virtues or regarded as an invasive weed. It is also cultivated in France, Spain and Eastern Europe.

Traditional Folklore

Traditional Folklore of Angelica Root:

In ancient times, Angelica archangelica was believed to ward off evil spirits, and was used at pagan festivals. Its later association with angels, in its botanical name and in many European languages, is thought to derive from the fact that it came into flower on or around 8 May, the feast day of St Micheal the Archangel.

Archangelica, named for Archangel Michael, who told of its use as a medicine. According to legend, Angelica was revealed in a dream to cure the plague. The plant blooms on the day of Archangel Michael, therefore protecting against evil spirits. Most herbal remedies use Angelica as a purifying, detoxifying agent for the entire body.

The virtues of Anglica were praised by the old northern civilizations. The plant was believed to protect against all infections, contagions and to cure any diseases.

After the introduction of Christianity and following the old traditions passed on over the centuries, popular mind linked Angelica with some angelic patronage. According to the legend, the plant was revealed to a monk by an angel as an antidote to the bubonic plague. Angelica's very name thus associates it with healing, and with supposed angelic qualities that include protection from infections, epidemics and poisons.

It was a symbol of the Holy Spirit and holds a place within the Trinity, in that the stem grows out from between two cuticles that wrap around each other.

Another explanation is that it blooms on the day of Michael The Archangel and as such is a protection against all evil spirits and witchcrafts.

As a herbal preparation, angelica root has been used for centuries to treat colds, coughs, dyspepsia, colic, edema and arthritis.

Angelica root oil is used as a food flavoring ingredient, and is added to alcoholic bitters, liqueurs and vermouths at levels of below 0.01 per cent. It has also been used in perfumery as part of chypre and fern-like fragrances, at levels of up to 0.1 per cent.