History of Angelica
(Archangelica officinalis)
Name Orgin & Early History of Angelica.
Unlike many of the other herbs that we discuss on Our Herb Garden, Angelica has never been called by any other name. The name is paired with a legend of an angel appearing to a monk in a dream and revealing to him that a plant would cure the plague. The herb has forever more been called Angelica.Angelica was considered one of the most powerful herbs and was once known by the nickname of 'Root of the Holy Ghost'. Angelica was thought to be under the protection of Michael the Archangel because it blooms on his feast day, May 8th on the old Julian Calendar. Others gave it this holy name due to its seeming ability to cure anything. For both reasons, it was considered to be a great defense against evil spirits, witches, spells and even the plague.
Paracelsus (1493-1541), an alchemist and physician, during the plague epidemic of 1510 in Milan, referred to Angelica as a 'marvelous medicine' for treating the illness. Paracelsus, born Phillip von Hohenheim, took the name Paracelsus (meaning "equal to or greater than Celsus") in what would appear to be a claim that his expertise and knowledge exceeded that of the Roman from the 1st Century known for his tract on medicine.
Gerard, author of Herball or Historie of Plants(1597), a work that borrows its information liberally from Dr. Priest's earlier work Pemptades (1583), claimed, "If you doe but take a piece of the roote and holde it in your mouth, or chew the same between your teeth it doth most certainly drive away the pestilentiall aire, yea although the corrupt aire have possesses the hart, yet it driveth it out again." Pestilentiall aire? It is thought that reference relates to Angelica's use for the relief of flatulance.
The belief that Angelica was a cure for the plague continued until the time of Charles II (Charles Stuart, 1630-1685), King of England, Scotland and Ireland.
The Danes were among the first to produce and market candied Angelica. By the early 17th Century, England was using the roots and stems to create the sweet-tasting and popular treat. It was believed that candied Angelica was a confection that was also useful for expelling wind and 'strengthening the stomach' and was only second in popularity to candied Ginger.
Angelica Origins.
Angelica is somewhat unique because it is one of the few aromatic plants that are native to the colder climates of northern Russia, Lithuania, and Norway and in even colder regions. In at least one published work it was reported that the inhabitants of Iceland relied on Angelica when other food was unavailable.Early Angelica Uses.
In Lapland, poets were presented with garlands of Angelica in the hope that its perfume would prove inspirational.Norwegians used the roots to create bread and the French used the plant to manufacture a variety of liquors, the most well-known of which being Chartreuse.
Aromatic oil of angelica has been used to a lesser degree in perfumery.
Angelica, throughout history was attributed with being an effective treatment for flatulance, indigestion, chronic bronchitis, typhus, a variety of women's reproductive health issues, and joint pain. Modern herbalism continues to use essential Angelica oil as a rub for joint pain.
A list of the reference materials and resources we have used for all of our pages can be found on our About Us page.