Angelica

Scientific Name(s): Angelica archangelica L., Archangelica officinalis Hoffm.
Common Name(s): Chorak, Echt engelwurz, European angelica, Garden Angelica, Holy Ghost, Norwegian angelica, Wild Celery

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 21, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

Angelica may have applications in treating epilepsy and anxiety; however, clinical trials are lacking to support therapeutic applications, and its use should be balanced against the possibility of increased formation of amyloid beta peptides. Antioxidant activity has also been reported.

Dosing

Angelica root typically is given at doses of 3 to 6 g/day of the crude root, but clinical trials are lacking regarding dosage recommendations.

Contraindications

Crude fruit extract is not recommended; safety and efficacy have not been established.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Avoid use. Adverse effects and emmenagogue effects have been documented.

Interactions

Angelica sinensis exhibits antiplatelet aggregating activity.

Adverse Reactions

Limited clinical trials provide information on adverse effects. A small clinical trial found no increase in blood pressure or heart rate during 8 weeks of leaf extract use. Allergic dermatitis has been reported, and photosensitization is possible.

Toxicology

Poisoning has been reported with high doses of angelica oils. The constituent imperatorin has been shown to accelerate the formation of amyloid-beta peptide in vitro.

Scientific Family

• Apiaceae (carrot)

Botany

Angelica is a widely cultivated, aromatic biennial herb grown in northern Europe. It has fleshy, spindle-shaped roots, an erect stalk, and greenish-yellow flowers arranged in an umbel. The seeds are oblong and off-white; angelica seed is more accurately the plant fruit. It is similar to, and sometimes confused with, water hemlock (Cicuta maculata), which is extremely toxic. There are several recognized varieties of A. archangelica, both wild and cultivated. In the United States, Angelica atropurpurea L. is often cultivated in place of the European species. A. archangelica should not be confused with related "Chinese angelica" or dong quai (A. sinensis).Khan 2009, USDA 2014

History

Angelica has been cultivated as medicine as well as for flavoring in Scandinavian countries since the 12th century, and in England since the 16th century. The roots and seeds are used to distill about 1% of a volatile oil used in perfumery and for licorice flavor in liqueurs and other alcoholic beverages. The candied leaves and stems have been used to decorate cakes. The oil has been used medicinally to stimulate gastric secretion and treat flatulence, and to topically treat rheumatic and skin disorders. The Ayurvedic medical system suggests angelica for CNS effects. Angelica root, root powder, essential oil, and tinctures are prepared and used traditionally.Blumenthal 2000, Duke 2003, Khan 2009, Knapp 2009, Pathak 2010

Chemistry

Dried rhizome and roots, which should not contain more than 5% stem or leaf content are used. Requirements for the volatile oil composition have been published, and leaf extracts and essential seed/fruit oil have also been examined for pharmacological effect. The dried root comprises 80% to 90% monoterpene hydrocarbons (including phellandrene, caryophyllene, pinene, and limonene), with 6% resin and 0.3% angelic acid. The remaining composition includes sterols, phenolic acids (including chlorogenic and caffeic), fatty acids, coumarins and furanocoumarin...