Among the plants that grow in Russia and have medicinal properties, angelica stands out. It is also called: angelica, cow, spindle, angelica or wolf pipe. It is associated in people with strength and he alth. 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 up to two meters in height in its lifetime. The stem of the plant is erect, cylindrical, bare, has a bluish coating at the top, and red at the bottom. Leaves on the underside are bluish-green in color, glabrous, vaginal, alternate. The basal leaves are large and triangular, while the stem leaves are smaller, with swollen sheaths.
The plant has small greenish-white flowers that gather at the top in almost spherical umbrellas. And the fruits in the form of flat visloplods break into two parts when ripe. To better understand what is at stake, see what the angelica looks like. His photo is presented below.
Where it grows
The plant can be easily found in the European part of Russia, as well as in Western Siberia. It is native to Asia and northern Europe. It was brought to the Central part from Scandinavia in the 14th century. The angelica plant loves the banks of rivers, lakes, streams, damp ravines and water meadows.
Due to its strong spicy taste and aroma, it is sometimes cultivated and grown in gardens and even fields. Moreover, he is provided with appropriate conditions: loose, moist and cultivated fertile soil. Only then will the roots grow well in length.
Collecting, harvesting, drying
As noted, angelica roots are considered medicinal. They are harvested in the first year of life in autumn, or in the second year - in the spring, before they begin to grow.
If the crop is not cultivated, but a wild plant is harvested, one should be especially careful not to confuse it with another plant that is very similar in appearance - angelica forest. One can be distinguished from the other in the following way: the angelica, which is useless in the medicinal sense, has a thyroid inflorescence, the stem is granite upwards, the fruits grow together with the pericarp, and the roots are woody and have an unpleasant odor. Unlike the two-year-old angelica, angelica 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 across. 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. ATUnder natural conditions, in good weather, the raw material is 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 essential angelic oil, which has a strong and pleasant musk scent. It consists of terpene and cymene, as well as a set of acids: malic, methyl-butyric, angelic, acetic and valeric. Essential oil is found not only in roots, but also in grass and seeds.
In addition, the root contains:
- tannins and bitters;
- starch;
- wax;
- sugar;
- resin;
- phytosterols;
- other useful substances.
Leaves and flowers have quercetin, and fruits, in addition to essential oil, 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;
- binder;
- laxative;
- immunostimulatory;
- disinfectant;
- tonic;
- antipyretic;
- vasoconstrictor;
- carminative;
- sedative action.
Due to this, drugs, which includeangelica, promote:
- appetite improvement;
- bringing the normal functioning of the digestive tract and digestion;
- increased bile secretion;
- increased urination;
- reduce fermentation;
- normalization of bile secretion, work of the cardiovascular, nervous systems;
- lower cholesterol levels;
- stabilization of metabolism.
Angel helps with healing:
- neuroses;
- colitis;
- gastritis;
- gout;
- biliary dyskinesia;
- bronchitis;
- convulsions;
- diarrhea;
- duodenitis;
- scarlet fever;
- dropsy;
- insomnia;
- measles;
- laryngitis;
- skin diseases;
- myalgia;
- hysteria;
- stomatitis;
- rheumatism;
- sinusitis;
- tumors;
- tuberculosis;
- flatulence;
- women's diseases;
- other diseases.
Contraindications
Given such a versatile and strong positive effect, besides the fact that angelica root has useful properties, it also has contraindications. In particular, in case of an overdose, poisoning occurs, which can lead to paralysis of the nervous system.
In addition, when taking it as a medicine, avoid sun exposure, otherwise the skin will become irritated. Naturally, one cannot discount individual intolerance. Therefore, the reception should be started with extreme caution,constantly observing your own feelings. It is contraindicated in pregnant women and nursing mothers.
Application
It is known that essential oil is prepared from the 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. It darkens over time. The oil has a pleasant sweetish aroma, and the oil made from the fruit is even stronger and more fragrant.
Decoctions are prepared in a ratio of 1:10, and infusions - 5:20. They are made from all parts of the plant. In 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 also used externally. To do this, prepare a tincture of alcohol and rub the joints for gout, rheumatism, muscle pain and sciatica.
Fans of medicines can be advised capsules "Solgar", which contains angelica root.
Recipes for various ailments
Let's look at how to prepare medicines and how to take them for various diseases.
If you suffer from depression, insomnia, CNS diseases, this 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, filter and take 100 ml at lunch and before bedtime.
Diseases of the joints will cure healing baths. To do this, two liters of boiling wateradd 200 grams of roots. The container is closed and left to infuse for 30 minutes. Then the composition is poured into the bath and taken for 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 materials and infuse with heat in a dry place for 5 hours. After straining, the medicine is taken 100 ml twice a day.
Angelica seeds will help cleanse the kidneys and cure pyelonephritis. In half a liter of water, add 15 grams of seeds, filter and drink 100 milliliters every two hours.
For the treatment of bronchitis, 20 grams of roots are poured with 300 milliliters of cold water, boiled and left to languish for a quarter of an hour. Then the contents are filtered and taken at 60 milliliters four times a day.
With sciatica or arthritis, the following recipe will help. 60 grams of dry raw materials are crushed and poured with a glass of vodka or alcohol. The container is tightly corked and cleaned in a dark place for fourteen days. In this case, shake it regularly. After the time has elapsed, the contents are filtered and poured into a container with darkened glass. The remedy is rubbed on sore spots and compresses are made.
And here is a recipe that promotes the treatment of gallstone disease. After grinding the raw material, place it in a coffee grinder and bring it to a powdery consistency. 10 grams of angelica is poured with 300 milliliters of water, stirred until the powder dissolves, left for half an hour and drink 20 ml twice a day after meals.
Juice has a beneficial effect on jaundice or pancreatitisangelica. It is squeezed from fresh raw materials and drunk one small spoonful four times a day for three weeks.
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 useful angelica root is 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 herbs 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 healing effect of angelica. The photo shows what it looks like. But do not forget that the plant is easily confused with the forest angelica. It is also advisable to consult with your doctor and herbalist before you start taking.
