Baldwins Angelica Herb ( Angelica Officinalis )

Angelica archangelica (herba)

Origin: France

Angelica's very name holds quite the weight of legend. According to medieval Christian legend, Archangel Michael showed up as a monk in a dream, and this was during the plague. It was revealed that Angelica was the saviour remedy that was needed for that time. Therefore, "archangelic".

During plague epidemics around Europe, the herb was also burned to cleanse the air of its surroundings.

It was also known as 'the Root of the Holy Ghost', considerd to be incredibly protective, a strong defence against illness, negative energy/ spirits.

Angelica grows abundantly in Scandinavia, and so Laplanders would adorn the heads of their poets with wreathes of the herb. Norwegian farmers have grown the herb for centuries, cultivating as crop and medicine.  

Health perks:

Warming, stimulating and bitter, a great activator for the digestive system. The bitter compounds stimulat the secretion of saliva, hydrochloric acid, enzymes and bile, which accommodates sluggish, dampened digestion that needs inspiring. In traditional Chinese medicine, this herb would help with what would be described as Spleen Yang deficiency, which holds the qualities of cold and damp. With the aromatic oils that Angelica holds, they can penetrate the tissues and restore tone and motility of the digestive mechanism, encouraging optimisation.

Angelica's warming quality makes it useful for colds, coughs, bronchitis, and asthma, which have damp characteristics. As well as being an expectorant (loosens and expels mucus), the herb also promotes spasmodic relief, particularly beneficial for persistent coughing.

The herb does work with circulation, moving stagnancy, promoting Qi to flow. Angelica has good use in joint pain as it noursihes the blood and its flow around the area, providing warmth due to its aromatic compounds. It is used in addition to other herbs of a remedy towards Raynaud's.

Moreover, with the nervous system, Angelica is grounding and fortifying by nature, it can be utilised as a nervine tonic for individuals that feel depleted and even fearful; energetically it provides courage to withstand challenging times, much like the plague.

P.S. ***If pregannt/ nursing, or there are health imbalances that require attention, it is always wise to consult a qualified herbal practitioner... even before trying a new remedy.