Welcome back to Farmacy Friday at Queen Creek Botanical Gardens! This week, we’re diving into a striking and fragrant medicinal herb that has been treasured across cultures for centuries—Angelica Root. With its tall, umbrella-shaped blooms and aromatic roots, Angelica is as beautiful as it is powerful.
🌿 What Is Angelica Root?
Angelica (Angelica archangelica) is a biennial plant in the parsley family, native to northern Europe and parts of Asia. Its roots, stems, and seeds have been used in herbal medicine, traditional foods, and even liqueurs like Chartreuse. While the whole plant is aromatic, it’s the root that holds the deepest medicinal value.
💪 Health Benefits of Angelica Root
Angelica Root has earned a reputation for its grounding, warming properties—particularly when it comes to the digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems. Here are some of its key health uses:
- Digestive Aid: Helps relieve bloating, gas, and sluggish digestion. Often included in herbal bitters.
- Respiratory Support: Used traditionally to ease bronchial congestion and soothe coughs.
- Women’s Health: In traditional herbalism, Angelica has been used to support menstrual and menopausal wellness.
- Circulation Boost: Its warming effect can encourage better circulation and reduce cold hands and feet.
🌸 Did You Know?
Angelica’s name comes from the Latin word archangelus, meaning “archangel,” as legend claims the plant was revealed in a vision by an angel as a remedy for the plague.
🌱 How We Use It in the Garden
Here at Queen Creek Botanical Gardens, Angelica thrives in our shaded medicinal herb sections. The roots are harvested in the second year of growth, cleaned, and dried for later use. We sometimes display dried Angelica in our workshops focused on herbal tinctures and teas.
You’ll also find Angelica Root in our dried herb selection at the Garden Market, available seasonally. It makes a lovely addition to homemade digestive blends or wellness teas. Stop by and explore how this ancient herb can become part of your modern-day herbal routine!
🍵 DIY: Angelica Root Tea for Digestion
Try this gentle, warming tea after meals.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon dried angelica root
- 1 cup hot water
Instructions:
Steep for 8–10 minutes, strain, and sip slowly. Not recommended during pregnancy. Always consult your healthcare provider before using new herbs.
🌿 Visit & Learn More
The Medicinal Garden at Queen Creek Botanical Gardens features plants like Angelica that connect us to centuries-old wellness traditions.
