Angelica medicinal, or simply angelica, has been known since ancient times for its healing properties. On its basis, medicinal preparations are made for many diseases. But there are also contraindications. Although this herb grows everywhere in our country, it is home to Lapland and Iceland. It is found mainly near water bodies and in other places with high humidity. To successfully use a phyto-drug, you need to clearly know the medicinal properties of the medicinal angelica and the contraindications to its use.
Content
What an angelica looks like: photo and description
Angelica officinalis is a two-year-old herb from the Umbrella family. It has a smooth, hollow stem, branching upward, almost two meters in height. The leaves are large and glossy. Angelica rhizome looks like a radish - thick, with many processes. It has a bitter taste and a specific spicy aroma. The grass has inconspicuous white or yellow small flowers, collected in panicles. They decorate it from early summer to autumn. In the second year of growth, angelica has two-seed fruits.
The people call this herb differently:
- dagger;
- piper;
- meadow pipe;
- underhand;
- subpage;
- angel;
- archangel;
- dude.
A species related to angelica, the angelica forest, also has a healing effect.... Plants differ in inflorescences - in the first they are spherical with a greenish tint.
And this is how the angelica looks like.
Angelica medicinal is included in the State Register of Medicines of the Russian Federation.
The benefits of a medicinal herb for humans
The herb and other parts of the plant are used as raw materials for the manufacture of various medicines. This is due to a wide range of medicinal properties:
- immunostimulating;
- antiseptic;
- diuretic;
- expectorant;
- anti-inflammatory;
- calming;
- antispasmodic;
- carminative;
- choleretic;
- tonic;
- pain relievers;
- astringent;
- antipyretic;
- antineoplastic;
- diaphoretic.
The essential oil contained in the medicinal herb, getting into the digestive tract, has an irritating effect on it and kills pathogenic microflora, preventing fermentation. The sedative effect occurs due to the valeric acid, which is present in the composition. Diaphoretic and diuretic properties are due to the presence of organic acids. In particular, malic acid has a beneficial effect on the digestive system, improves blood composition and helps to strengthen blood vessels.
The leaves of the plant also have medicinal properties. They are used as a wound healing, antihelminthic and antirheumatic agent.
Angelica has estrogenic activity. Therefore, the herb is used to restore hormonal balance in women.
Table: indications for the use of medicines based on angelica
Dosage form | Indications for use |
Decoction from rhizome or leaves |
|
Alcohol tincture | Inside use for the following violations:
Outwardly used for such ailments:
|
Water infusion |
|
Powder |
And also it is effective for all ailments, the list of which is listed in the section of the table "Broth" |
Extract | As a gargle for inflammatory processes in the oral cavity |
Ointment | For various skin diseases and in the case of difficult healing wounds, burns, abscesses, boils |
Juice |
|
Even in ancient times, decoctions and infusions were prepared from flowers, which helped to defeat typhus, cholera, plague, measles and scarlet fever. Angelica is a natural remedy for maintaining women's health. It especially helps to smooth out negative symptoms during menopause - suppresses hot flashes, has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. Angelica shoots and seeds boiled in milk help to normalize appetite.
And also plant-based preparations are prescribed in the following cases:
- migraine;
- consistently high blood pressure;
- infections;
- heart diseases.
It is said that angelic herb can cure alcoholism.
The healing properties of angelica essential oil and honey
Angelica essential oil is used to massage the chest with a strong cough and abdominal area to relieve pain. To do this, mix 2–3 drops of ether with the same amount of vegetable oil.
Of particular note is the honey from this plant. This is not only tasty, but also a healthy delicacy.
It has many medicinal properties and is indicated for a variety of health problems:
- nervous exhaustion;
- weakened immunity;
- poor sleep;
- atherosclerosis;
- ischemia;
- malfunctions of the digestive tract;
- violation of the menstrual cycle;
- stomatitis and gingivitis.
Honey has a strong antispasmodic effect.
To normalize all body functions, it is enough to eat a teaspoon of honey every morning on an empty stomach and in the evening before bedtime and drink it with a glass of water.
Contraindications and plant harm
Knowing about the many useful properties of angelica, one must be aware of the available contraindications. These include:
- pregnancy at any time and breastfeeding;
- individual intolerance to individual components in the composition;
- profuse menstrual bleeding (the medicinal plant tends to relax smooth muscles);
- acute diarrhea;
- thrombosis (due to the property of the herb to increase blood clotting);
- tachycardia.
During herbal medicine, you cannot stay under the scorching sun for a long time.
When collecting herbs, be careful not to burn your skin. After work, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water.
How to prepare angelica-based remedies at home
For medicinal purposes, all parts of the plant are used, but especially the rhizome and foliage.At home, decoctions, infusions, tinctures, juice, tea, ointment and powder are mainly made.
In the pharmacy, you can find many preparations based on medicinal and forest angelica - herbal teas, alcoholic tinctures, grated leaves. Despite the fact that angelica dietary supplements are not officially classified as drugs, they are sold freely.
Angelica leaf decoction
Required components:
- 15 g fresh angelica leaves;
- 200 ml of boiling water.
Preparation:
- The herb is boiled with boiling water and put on fire.
- Bring to a boil and turn off after 5-7 minutes.
- Pour into a thermos and insist in it for another 2–2.5 hours.
The finished broth retains its medicinal properties well in coolness for up to 3 days. Take it shortly before meals for 2 tbsp. l.
Healing decoction from the roots
Would need:
- 3 tbsp. l. crushed plant roots;
- 200 ml of hot boiled water.
Instructions:
- Pour dry raw materials into enameled dishes.
- Add boiling water.
- Cover the pan and keep it in a water bath for at least half an hour.
- Cool the liquid for 10-15 minutes. at room temperature and filtered.
- The resulting volume is replenished with boiled water up to 200 ml.
This broth is stored in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days. They consume it in a heated form, 100 ml 3 times a day after the main meals.
Infusion on water
Ingredients:
- herbal raw materials - 15 g;
- boiling water - 300 ml.
Preparation:
- Pour boiling water over the grass.
- Leave for 2-3 hours for infusion.
- They are filtering.
Take the resulting drug daily before meals, 80 ml.
Alcohol tincture
Prepare:
- 200 ml of vodka or alcohol;
- 150 g angelica fruit.
Prepare as follows:
- Connect the components.
- The mixture is removed in a warm and dark place for 21 days.
- Do not forget to shake the composition periodically.
Take such a remedy inside 5 ml twice a day.
Multi-component remedy
This infusion is based on all parts of the plant. It is indicated for cramps in the intestines and flatulence, to improve appetite. Also, this remedy cleanses the body of toxins well, helps to cure colds, upper respiratory tract diseases and cholecystitis, relieves inflammation of the pancreas and promotes the removal of kidney stones. The infusion is taken 3 times a day, 100 ml.
What parts of angelica are needed:
- root - 40 g;
- seeds - 45-50 g;
- leaves - 50 g.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Raw materials are crushed and mixed thoroughly.
- 600 ml of boiling water is added.
- Cover the vessel with a towel and wait for the drink to infuse. It is advisable to keep the composition for 5-6 hours.
- Then the liquid is filtered.
For joint problems and muscle strain, it is recommended to take therapeutic baths with this infusion.
Powder
To make a powder from medicinal angelica, you need dried roots and leaves. You can use a coffee grinder to grind them. Usually it is prescribed to take it three times a day for 0.5 g. This should be done in 20 minutes. before meals.
Juice
Cooking method:
- Fresh angelica root is twisted in a meat grinder.
- From the resulting gruel, squeeze the juice through cheesecloth.
If you mix angelica and potato juice in a 1: 1 ratio, the effect will be more pronounced.
In the case of pancreatitis and jaundice, the juice should be consumed daily, 5-7 ml in a course of 3 weeks. In case of pain in the ear, it is enough to drop 3 drops into it, if in a tooth - 1 drop.
Tea
Required components:
- dried and crushed angelica roots - 2 tsp;
- cold boiled water - 250 ml.
Then they act like this:
- Pour raw materials with water.
- Put on fire and turn off after boiling.
- Insist 10 minutes.
- They are filtering.
They drink tea in hot small sips. It is recommended to consume up to three cups per day.
Table: fees based on medicinal or forest angelica
Appointment | Composition | Preparation |
Diuretic |
Take all components 25 g each | Grind everything and brew with boiling water (400-450 ml). After boiling, keep on heating for another 10 minutes. |
Gastric |
| Insist the mixture in a thermos for about 20 minutes. |
Anesthetic |
| Get a powder. Before meals, dilute 40 g in a glass of hot water and drink |
Slimming |
| The herbal mixture is brewed with boiling water and infused for 15 minutes. Drink the drink in 40 minutes. before sleep |
Soothing |
The components are taken in the same proportions. At 1 st. l. raw materials need 200 ml of boiling water | Prepared as regular tea and drunk before bed. |
Antineoplastic |
| The herb is brewed and infused for about a quarter of an hour. Use the product in half a glass 3 times a day |
Signs of quality raw materials
To get high-quality medicinal raw materials that have the described useful properties, you need to collect them correctly. The main thing is not to be mistaken, because angelica is similar to some poisonous plants from this family. Particular attention is paid to the integrity of shoots, leaves and other parts - even the slightest damage is unacceptable, otherwise the grass will be useless in medical terms.
Angelica is harvested in September or October. First-year copies are chosen. But the grass in the second year of growth is harvested in early spring - in March-April.
The roots are dug up and shaken off the ground, then the top is cut off with the leaves. After that, the rhizome is washed with cold water, cut lengthwise and hung in the fresh air to dry, or laid out anywhere with good ventilation. Layout thickness should not exceed 7–8 cm. You can use special dryers, where the temperature is set to no more than 40 ° C.
For the same purpose, the leaves are plucked during flowering and dried in room conditions. They start collecting seeds when the fruits are fully ripe. They do this - they tie the umbrellas of the inflorescences together, dry them, and then the seeds are husked. The finished raw materials are put in cardboard containers or canvas bags and stored in a place where there is no access to moisture. It does not lose its properties for 2 years.
Video: how to harvest angelica root
Reviews
Angelica very quickly helped me from terrible attacks (almost to vomiting) of dry cough left after a cold. He coughed for almost 2 months. Nothing helped. I decided to try angelica. I did inhalation + rubbing of the chest and back before bedtime and in the morning with 20% angelica solution and Jojoba oil. Then for about 5 more days he added 1 drop of angelica to the massage mixture and made 2 more inhalations. The cough stopped after the 3rd inhalation.
Recently I bought and drank a decoction of the angelica plant. The result is amazing. This is a very good fortifying and healing remedy. Its medicinal raw material is roots with a very aromatic odor and a very useful composition. I was convinced from my own experience that this herb heals inflammation, heals wounds and helps with fermentation in the intestines.
I tried angelica in an anti-varicose mixture. I have small vessels on my legs, the so-called mesh, and unexpectedly. First, a bruise, and then looking closer, I saw a vascular network. I made a mixture with an angelica and began to take it according to the instructions. As a result, almost all vessels have resolved, with the exception of large ones.
Even in the Middle Ages, angelica herb was used as a means that could quickly bring a person to life with clouding of consciousness, and in case of a crop failure, it saved the people from hunger. By the way, the plant is still used as a seasoning for fish and meat dishes, and the powder from the roots is added to the baking dough, which gives it a special flavor. If you decide to include angelica or angelica-based drugs in your course of treatment, do not forget to consult with your doctor first.