Latin Name: Angelica archangelica
Other Names: Garden Angelica, Holy Ghost, Wild Celery, and Norwegian Angelica
Similar Species:
- Wild Angelica (Angelica sylvestris)
- Purple Angelica (Angelica atropurpurea)
- Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis)
About
Angelica archangelica is a tall, aromatic herb native to the cool, damp regions of North America, northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland, and parts of western Asia. It thrives in rich, moist soils along riverbanks, meadows, and mountain valleys where temperatures remain relatively mild.
In herbology, angelica has long been valued for its roots, stems, seeds, and leaves, which are traditionally used to support digestion, respiratory health, and overall vitality. The plant’s sweet, earthy fragrance has also made it a popular ingredient in herbal tonics and liqueurs.
Among Indigenous peoples of the North Atlantic and Arctic regions, including the Inuit and Sami, angelica was an important food and medicinal plant. Fresh stalks were eaten as a nutritious spring vegetable, while roots and leaves were used to ease stomach discomfort, strengthen the body during harsh winters, and provide protection against illness in traditional healing practices.
Homeopathic Use
It is not a common homeopathic remedy and not much information is available about its potentization and use in homeopathy. It lacks a substantial body of proving data, and much of its homeopathic use appears to have been derived from the plant’s longstanding reputation in traditional herbal medicine.