ANGELICA, EUROPEAN
Angelica archangelica
Umbelliferae
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
This tall,
sweet-scented herb resembles its close relatives, parsley and coriander.
Leaf stems can be candied and used as cake decorations, or the seeds and the dried
root
can be infused and taken as a tea. The seeds are also used to flavor drinks, especially
gin.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Best Climate:
Full sun or partial shade.
Ideal Soil Conditions:
Damp garden soil.
Growing Guidelines:
Can only be increased
from seed, which germinates poorly if sown too deeply. When sowing, just
press into the soil surface and barely cover. Best sown in situ in late spring.
Seedlings do not transplant
well, so ideally sow three to four seeds in a cluster at stations about 3 feet
(90cm) apart and thin to the
strongest seedling.
Alternatively, sow
two or three seeds together in 4 inch (10cm) containers of potting soil and place
in
a cold frame or greenhouse.
Growing Habit:
Hardy biennial; height 5-8 feet (1.5 - 2.4 m); stout, hollow stems with broad, lobed leaves.
Flowering Time:
Blooms the second or thrid year in June or July, then dies. Deadheading will prolong the life of the plant.
Pest and Disease Prevention:
Wash aphids from seed heads with a spray of water. Be wary also of crown rot.
Harvesting and Storing:
Collect small stalks
the first summer. Pick stems and leaves in the spring of the second year;
harvest ripe seeds before they fall, dry them and store them in airtight containers
in the refridgerator.
Special Tips:
In potpurris, seeds act as a fixative.
Precautions:
Some scientists say
that angelica is a suspected carcinogen, while others say it contains an
anti-cancer compound. Research is continuing.
Other Common Names:
Archangel, Masterwort, Garden Angelica
Gender:
Masculine
Magical Uses:
In herbal ointments for ailing eyes.
Grown, the plant
is protective. Use in all protection and exorcism incenses. Sprinkle the four
corners of the house with angelica to ward off evil, or do this around the perimeter
of the house.
Added to the bath, angelica removes curses, hexes, and any spells that may have
been cast against
you. The root was carried in the pocket as a gambling talisman among some American
Indian tribes.
Angelica is also used in healing incenses and mixtures, and smoking the leaves
is said to cause visions.
Related Element:
Fire
Related Planets:
Sun
Powers:
Exorcism, Protection, Healing, Visions
Deity:
Venus
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
An ancient and highly
aromatic plant, angelica is praised in the floklore of northern European countries
as a panacea for all ills. Its name is thought to derive from the fact that, in
the old calender, it usually
came into bloom around the feast day of the Archangel Michael, the Great Defender,
who appeared in a
cision to explain its protective powers against evil.
Angelica is a moisture-loving
native of damp meadows and river banks. Its large leaves have a
tropical appearance and can give the garden a lush atmosphere.
Lifespan
Three-year hardy herbaceous "biennial" (extendable to four years if emerging flower spikes are removed)
Height
3 - 8 feet
Leaf
Large, glossy, divided and bright green.
Seed
Buff, 1/4 inch long, produced in profusion, ripening late summer of third year.
Stem
Thick, hollow and ridged.
Dried Root
Angelica root has the longest-lasting aroma of any part of the plant.
Crystallized Stem
Choose fresh, young, green stems of pencil thickness for crystallizing.
Dried Leaves
These are indispensable for herb teas.
Root
Thick, ridged, aromatic taproot, usually with two or three major side roots.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
USES
Decorative
FLOWER
Display dried seedheads.
Culinary
LEAF
Stew with acidic fruits to reduce sugar needed.
STEM
Crystallize for decoration.
Aromatic
LEAF
Use in potpourri.
Medicinal
LEAF
Make tea from fresh or dried leaves as a tonic for colds and to reduce flatulence.
bravenet.com