- Recognizing Angelica Root: Properties and Origin
- The most beautiful species
- Planting angelica: location, sowing and procedure
- The right care
- Angelica as a medicinal plant: effect and use
- Is angelica poisonous?
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Angelica root is not only convincing because of the diverse healing properties of some species, but also because of its attractive appearance. As a perennial plant, it harmoniously complements any creative garden.
Valuable active ingredients are extracted from the root of the angelica root in particular (Angelica archangelica var. sativa), which can be used, for example, to treat disorders help the digestive tract. In this article you will learn how to cultivate the impressive perennial in your garden and what other positive healing effects the plant has.
Recognizing Angelica Root: Properties and Origin
Angelica root, also known as angelica root, angelica root, angelica root, and holy spirit root, is native to Eurasia. Many species are also found in North America. Riverbanks, ditches and damp meadows are the best places to find angelica in nature.
Angelica, also known as medicinal angelica (A. archangelica var. sativa), is the most popular in local gardens Find. The two- to four-year-old perennial grows 50 cm to an impressive 2.50 m tall and has a hollow stem that reaches a diameter of up to 10 cm. Large, globular, white-greenish to yellowish umbelliferous flowers develop at its end. The leaves of the angelica are tripinnate and can be very large to match the mighty perennial: the lower leaves can reach a size of up to 90 cm.
In the first year, the angelica root usually does not bloom yet, because the plant first concentrates on developing lush foliage. In the second year, from June to August, you can admire the large umbels with their countless small flowers, which exude a sweet scent and attract numerous pollinators. After the flowers have faded, the plant usually dies and provides for offspring the next year by self-seeding. In suitable locations, however, it can also happen that it grows for several years.
Confusion of Angelica:
When collecting angelica from nature, it can be confused with angelica (Angelica sylvestris), which has no medicinal properties. The forest angelica is smaller, slimmer and the flower color is more reddish. A more dangerous confusion is with the giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), because this is highly phototoxic and causes painful wheals and blisters when touching the leaves in combination with sunlight. The most important distinguishing feature is the color of the flowers, which is pure white in the case of the giant hogweed. You can recognize the native angelica by its slightly greenish flowers.
The most beautiful species
A hundred species of angelica are known, of which only about half are native to Europe. Here is a list of the most beautiful Angelica species:
Medicinal Angelica or Angelica (Angelica archangelica): She is probably the best-known species in our latitudes and is valued above all for its healing properties. The perennial, up to 2.50 m tall, has large, white-greenish to yellowish inflorescences.
Tip: A variety of medicinal angelica with a particularly high active ingredient content is Angelica archangelica 'Solveig', a selection from the Bavarian State Institute for Soil and Crop Production (BLBP).
Red Angelica (Angelica gigas): The Red Angelica is also known under the name Great Angelica - a slightly more extravagant perennial for the Garden, because the flower umbels and stems shine in a strong dark red.
Chinese Angelica (Angelica sinensis): This species is known in China as dong quai and is an important part of TCM (Traditional Chinese medicine). Visually, it is very similar to the native medicinal angelica and the medical application is also comparable. It allows the blood to circulate better and is therefore used for menstrual failure and anemia.
Angelica (Angelica sylvestris): The angelica is a bit smaller, finer and less lush, and it won't grow either attributed medicinal properties. Pink flowers open from the dark red buds. The leaves of this species are very dark, appearing almost black. Because of this coloring it is also called purple angelica.
Planting angelica: location, sowing and procedure
When cultivating angelica in your own garden, you should choose a sunny to partially shaded location. The angelica likes a fresh to moist, humus-rich and very nutrient-rich soil. It is best to use fresh compost to ensure optimal soil preparation, especially if your garden soil is rather sandy. A peat-free compost such as our Plantura organic compost is perfect for the hungry and thirsty Angelica due to its high nutrient content and high water storage capacity.
The angelica can be used individually as a structural element in the garden. It is perfect as a main perennial in your perennial border.
Planting is preferable to sowing so that the angelica can quickly establish itself in the garden. You can either buy angelica as a young plant or grow it indoors. Start doing this from February to April. Planting then takes place from mid-April, but late planting in August is also possible. Note that the perennial can become very sprawling, so leave at least a meter between plants so that they don't overgrow each other but develop optimally.
For a more intensive production of the angelica root, it can also be sown in rows. Sow at the end of August at a depth of 1 to 2 cm. Place up to five seeds every 100 cm in the sowing groove and press down the soil well. Angelicas are not expected to flower in the following year.
Tip: Make sure that no other umbellifers have grown at your chosen location in recent years to avoid pest pressure and pathogen accumulation. These include, for example, carrots (Daucus carota subsp. Sativus), celery (Apium graveolens), parsley ( Petroselinum crispum), Caraway (Carum carvi) and Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare).
The right care
The water and nutrient supply of the angelica in the garden should be modeled on its natural habitat on river banks and swampy meadows. This is how the optimal care for the angelica root looks like:
- Pouring: Angelica lovesit damp. Make sure there is enough irrigation water, especially if the soil is dry.
- Fertilization: As mentioned above, the angelica root has a high nutrient requirement and should therefore be fertilized with the irrigation water about every 2 weeks from May until the time of flowering. For example, mix our Plantura organic flower & balcony fertilizer with the irrigation water for a rich bloom.
- Weeding: If the angelica plants are still young, weed them regularly to give the plants a low-competition start. Once the large leaves cover the ground, weeding will no longer be necessary.
- Pruning: For bushy growth, prune back the shoot tips of young angelica a few times.
Tip: To make the work easier, a layer of green waste or bark mulch can be heaped around the plant. This also keeps the moisture in the soil, which the angelica root responds to with better growth.
Angelica as a medicinal plant: effect and use
Various healing effects are ascribed to the roots of angelica in particular and have been monographed in the German Pharmacopoeia since 2001. To preserve most of the ingredients, the root is dug up and cleaned just before flowering. Dried or fresh, the angelica roots can be infused as a tea and drunk for gastrointestinal complaints. Angelica tea stimulates the appetite, helps with feelings of fullness and flatulence and also has an antispasmodic effect. Angelica tastes very spicy, a little sweet, but also hot and bitter. Various healing effects are ascribed to the roots and other parts of the plant. However, much research will be needed to verify these effects.
Angelica can also be used in the kitchen: candied stalks and root pieces become a stomach-friendly sweet. Leaves and stems that are still young can be used in salads. The stalks can also be used like celery or used in jams and creative chutneys. Or how about some angelica stick sauce?
Is angelica poisonous?
Warning! Angelica sap can cause skin inflammation when combined with UVA rays from the sun. Extensive sunbathing after contact with angelica root is therefore not advisable. Also atCare measures, for example when cutting in the sun, it is better to wear gloves.
Angelica is classified as slightly toxic, so avoid consuming large amounts at once. Pregnant and breastfeeding women in particular should avoid the plant.
Yarrow is another wonderful perennial with healing properties for your garden. Read our article to find out which are the most beautiful types and varieties of yarrow.