Summary

Garden Angelica is native to the northern regions of Europe. For centuries the plant was used in European medicine to treat digestive disorders. The plant contains bitter compounds and essential oils making it an " aromatic bitter " that increase appetite, relieves cramping pain and fullness, and removes flatulence. Today it remains a common ingredient in “digestif” liquors like BÉnÉdictine, Vermouth & Chartreuse.

Before the advent of antibiotics, doctors used garden angelica to treat infections including the infamous plague. Herbalist still uses it for respiratory infections where its essential oils and other compounds both fight infections and help relax the smooth muscles of the respiratory tract to ease breathing. Furthermore, it may benefit cramping pains and urinary tract infections (UTI).

Indications

Respiratory
• upper and lower respiratory tract infections with phlegm that is difficult to expel
• colds
• influenza
• bronchitis
• pneumonia

Gastrointestinal
• digestive complaints
• bloating & gas
• colic
• dyspepsia

Musculoskeletal
• rheumatic conditions
• arthritis
• myalgias

Urinary
• urinary tract infections (UTI)
• urethritis

Actions

• Expectorant
• Carminative
• Antispasmodic
• Aromatic Bitter
• Diuretic
• Emmenagogue
• Hypotensive
• Antiinflammatory
• Astringent

Constituents

• Furanocoumarins
• Volatile Oils
• Phthalides
• Coumarins
• Bitter
• Flavonoids
• Tannins

Posology

• Tincture (1:5 in 45% EtOH): 2-5 ml tid
• Liquid extract (1:1 in 25% EtOH): 0.5-2 ml tid
• Decoction (dried root): 1 tsp tid

Safety

Contraindications: Pregnancy (uterine stimulant).

Side-effects: Photosensitization (due to furanocoumarins).

Interactions

• Drug metabolism • furanocoumarins are known to inhibit cytochrome p450s (CYP3A4).
• Anticoagulants • may interact with coumarins

References

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Barnes J, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines, 3rd ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press, 2007.

Bone K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2000.

Bone K. A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs: Herbal Formulations for the Individual Patient. St Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone, 2003.

Brinker F. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, 3rd ed. Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications, 2000.

Felter HW, Lloyd JU. King's American Dispensatory. 1898. http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/kings/main.html. Accessed: August 19, 2006.

Hoffman D. Medical Herbalism. Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press, 2003.

Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, 1988.

Williamson EM, ed. Major Herbs of Ayurveda. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2002