Among plants growing on the territory of Russia and having medicinal properties, angelica stands out. It is also called: angelica, ladybug, spindle, angelica or wolf pipe. It is associated in people with strength and health. In folk medicine, angelica roots are mainly used. We will talk about this plant in the next article.
Description
This large grass grows for two years, reaching in its life up to two meters in height. The stem of the plant is upright, cylindrical, bare, has a bluish bloom at the top, and red at the bottom. Leaves on the underside of a bluish-green color, glabrous, vaginal, alternate. The basal leaves are large and triangular, and the stalks are smaller, with swollen vaginas.
The plant has small flowers of greenish-white color, which are collected at the apex into almost spherical umbrellas. And the fruits in the form of flat isoplodic fall into two parts when ripe. To better understand what is at stake, see what angelica looks like. A photo of him is presented below.
Where grows
The plant can be found without problems in the European part of Russia, as well as in Western Siberia. His homeland is Asia and northern Europe. In the Central part, it was imported from Scandinavia in the 14th century. Angelica plant loves the banks of rivers, streams lakes, raw ravines and water meadows.
Due to its strong spicy taste and aroma, it is sometimes cultivated and grown in vegetable gardens and even in the fields. Moreover, they are provided with appropriate conditions: loose, moist and cultivated fertile soil. Only then will the roots grow perfectly in length.
Collection, harvesting, drying
As noted, the angelica roots are considered the medicinal part. They are collected in the first year of life in the fall, or in the second year in the spring, before they begin to grow.
If the culture is not cultivated, and a wild-growing plant is being collected , one should be especially careful not to confuse it with another plant that is very similar in appearance - forest angelica. You can distinguish one from the other in the following way: in an angelica, which is useless in the medicinal sense, the thyroid inflorescence is upright, the stalk is granite, the fruits grow together with the pericarp, and the roots are woody and have an unpleasant smell. Unlike two-year angelica, angelica forest is a perennial plant.
Angelica roots are dug up, cut off the parts growing above the ground, washed in cold water and cut into two parts transversely. It is dried in a ventilated room or on the street. You can use the stove by setting the temperature to 35-40 degrees and laying out the roots in a thin layer. Under natural conditions, in good weather, the raw materials are ready in about a week. As it dries, the root becomes brown or reddish-gray. The taste is sweetish at first, and then burning and bitter. If the angelica breaks when bent, it can be removed for storage. Shelf life is three years.
Composition
Angelica roots contain a lot of angelic essential oil, which has a strong and pleasant aroma of musk. It consists of terpene and zymol, as well as a set of acids: malic, methyl butyric, angelic, acetic and valerian. Essential oil is found not only in the roots, but also in the grass, as well as in the seeds.
In addition, the root contains:
- tannins and bitter substances;
- starch;
- wax;
- Sahara;
- resin;
- phytosterols;
- other beneficial substances.
Leaves and flowers have quercetin, and fruits, in addition to essential, contain fatty oil and coumarin derivatives.
Angelica root: healing properties
The rich composition determines the healing effect of angelica. He has:
- antispasmodic;
- antimicrobial;
- anti-inflammatory;
- expectorant;
- diuretic;
- painkillers;
- astringent;
- laxatives;
- immunostimulating;
- disinfectant;
- general strengthening;
- antipyretic;
- vasoconstrictor;
- carminative;
- sedative effect.
Due to this, drugs, which include angelica, contribute to:
- improved appetite;
- normalizing the work of the digestive tract and digestion;
- increased bile secretion;
- increased urination;
- fermentation reduction;
- normalization of bile secretion, the work of the cardiovascular, nervous systems;
- lower cholesterol;
- metabolic stabilization.
Angelica helps in the treatment of:
- neurosis;
- colitis;
- gastritis;
- gout
- biliary dyskinesia;
- bronchitis;
- seizures
- diarrhea;
- duodenitis;
- scarlet fever;
- dropsy;
- insomnia
- measles
- laryngitis;
- skin diseases;
- myalgia;
- hysteria;
- stomatitis;
- rheumatism;
- sinusitis;
- tumors;
- tuberculosis
- flatulence;
- female diseases;
- other diseases.
Contraindications
Given such a versatile and strong positive effect, in addition to having angelica root, it has useful properties, and it also has contraindications. In particular, with an overdose, poisoning occurs, which can lead to paralysis of the nervous system.
In addition, when taking it as a medicine, you should avoid sun exposure, otherwise skin irritation will appear. Naturally, you cannot discount individual intolerance. Therefore, the reception should be started very carefully, constantly observing your own feelings. It is contraindicated in pregnant women and nursing mothers.
Application
It is known that essential oil is prepared from a plant. To get 1 g of oil, take from 280 to 400 grams of fresh roots or from 100 to 280 grams of them in dry form. Fresh oil is a yellowish liquid. Over time, it darkens. The oil has a pleasant sweetish aroma, and made from fruits - an even stronger and more fragrant product.
Decoctions are prepared in a proportion of 1:10, and infusions - 5:20. They are made from all parts of the plant. With inflammatory processes on the gums, it is useful to rinse your mouth with angelica extract. And the infusion, among other things, is taken as an antidote. In addition to internal use, it is used externally. To do this, prepare alcohol tincture and rub the joints with gout, rheumatism, muscle pain and radiculitis.
Fans of medications can be advised by the capsules "Solgar", which contains angelica root.
Recipes from various ailments
Consider how to prepare medicines and how to take them for various diseases.
If depression, insomnia, diseases of the central nervous system torment you, such a recipe will help. In 150 milliliters of boiling water, 20 grams of rhizomes are steamed. The container is corked and cleaned in a warm, dry place for several hours. After that, they are filtered and taken 100 ml at lunch and before bedtime.
Joint diseases will cure healing baths. To do this, add 200 grams of roots to two liters of boiling water. The container is closed and left to infuse for 30 minutes. Then the composition is poured into the bath and take it 20 minutes three times a week.
An excellent remedy for colds is an infusion prepared in equal proportions with marigolds. For 400 milliliters of boiling water take 30 grams of raw material and insist with a warm dry place for 5 hours. Having stretched, the medicine is taken 100 ml twice a day.
Angelica seeds will help to clean the kidneys and cure pyelonephritis. In half a liter of water add 15 grams of seeds, filter and drink 100 milliliters every two hours.
To treat bronchitis, 20 grams of roots are poured with 300 milliliters of cold water, boiled and left to simmer for a quarter of an hour. Then filter the contents and take it at 60 milliliters four times a day.
With radiculitis or arthritis, the following recipe will help. 60 grams of dry raw materials are ground and poured with a glass of vodka or alcohol. The container is tightly corked and cleaned in a dark place for fourteen days. At the same time, it should be shaken regularly. After time, the contents are filtered and poured into a container with tinted glass. Means rubbed sore spots and make compresses.
But the recipe that contributes to the treatment of gallstone disease. Pre-crushed raw materials, place it in a coffee grinder and bring to a powdery consistency. 10 grams of angelica is poured with 300 milliliters of water, stirred until the powder is dissolved, left for half an hour and drink 20 ml twice a day after meals.
Angelica juice has a beneficial effect on jaundice or pancreatitis. It is squeezed from fresh raw materials and drunk one small spoon four times a day for three weeks.
The duration of therapy for any disease should not exceed a month. If necessary, after a month the treatment is repeated.
Separately, it should be said how angelica root is useful for women. It helps with almost all gynecological problems, including infertility. For example, to normalize the menstrual cycle, it is necessary to brew 20 grams of grass in 400 milliliters of boiling water and leave for 4 hours. The infusion is divided into two parts and drunk during the day. The course is 1 month.
Conclusion
This is the therapeutic effect of angelica. The photo shows how it happens. But do not forget that the plant is easily confused with the angelica forest. It is also advisable to consult with your doctor and phytotherapist before you start taking it.