In Chinese medicine, practitioners have been using the Angelica plant as a medicinal herb since 400 BCE. Its traditional uses include being a remedy for certain health conditions such as menstrual pain, abnormal absence of menstruation, blood deficiencies, uterine disorders, low vitality and fatigue in women, and female reproductive issues.
Angelica was usually used in teas. Also, its root was also chewed and the juices were swallowed.
Characteristics of Angelica Root
Angelica sinensis, Dong Quai or female ginseng is a popular herb in Chinese medicine. It is indigenous to China but it is also grown in other East Asian countries such as Japan and Korea. Angelica which is a perennial that thrives in cool high altitude mountains can grow to a height of 2 to 3 meters. It has ovate leaves, stems that are round, hollow, jointed, smooth and purplish, greenish to yellowish flowers that bloom from August to September, elliptic fruits with seeds that ripen from September to October, and yellowish brown root which has been used as a Chinese medicine for thousands of years. This plant is an example of a hermaphrodite species that is self-fertile. It has both male and female organs and is pollinated by insects.
Modern Medicinal Value
For hundreds of years, many people have been using Angelica as herbal medication. In fact, its root has been used for more than one thousand years as a spice, tonic, and medicine in East Asian countries like China, Korea, and Japan. The following are the benefits that one may get from consuming it:
- It may improve anemia
Anemia is a condition in which there is no enough healthy red blood cells to bring adequate oxygen to the body’s tissues. It is said that it may help treat iron deficiency and anemia because the cobalt in Angelica is thought to increase the content of hemoglobin in the blood.
- It may help with menopausal and menstrual symptoms
True to its name which is female ginseng, Angelica can help balance estrogen levels, ease menstrual cramps, improve PMS symptoms, relieve menopausal symptoms, and reduce the severity of mood swings. This herb contains coumarins which may relax the muscles of the uterus, stimulate the central nervous system, dilate blood vessels, and increase blood flow throughout the body.
- It may help boost male fertility
Women are not the only ones who can benefit from Angelica. Ferulic acid, an antioxidant found in this plant has been shown to improve sperm quality in men.
- It may help treat psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea
Angelica may help treat psoriasis, a skin disease that causes red, itchy scaly patches on the skin. It is also believed that its effect on the blood and the circulation may improve other skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea.
- Consuming it may help one achieve a youthful glow
Angelica contains antioxidants which help delay the signs of aging. It can help improve complexion by increasing circulation since good blood flow can result in skin cells that are nourished and healthy.
Because of its benefits, Angelica has been a popular medicinal plant for more than a thousand years. You can purchase our Angelica tea via this link.
