Health Benefits of Angelica

 Benefits of Angelica:-

Angelica is a widely cultivated, scented, northern European herb with fleshy, spindle-shaped roots, an erect stalk, and many greenish-yellow flowers arranged in an umbrella-like shape. The seeds are oblong and off-white. It is similar to and sometimes confused with the extremely toxic water hemlock, Cicuta maculata.

 There are several recognized varieties of A. archangelica, wild and cultivated. In the US, Angelica atropurpurea often is cultivated in place of the European species. The oil has been used medicinally to stimulate gastric secretion and treat gas, and to topically treat rheumatic and skin disorders. 

The Ayurvedic medical system suggests angelica for CNS effects. Angelica root, root powder, essential oil, and liquid extracts made from the herb are prepared and used traditionally.

Angelica may have applications in treating epilepsy and anxiety; however, clinical trials are lacking to support therapeutic applications. Antioxidant activity has also been reported.

Angelica has been cultivated as a medicinal and flavoring plant in Scandinavian countries since the 12th century and in England since the 16th century. Angelica formerly was used as a sedative. The roots and seeds are used to distill a volatile oil used in perfumery and for a licorice flavoring in liqueurs and other alcoholic beverages. The candied leaves and stems are used to decorate cake.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for..

• Intestinal cramps and gas.
• Nerve pain.
• Arthritis-like pain.
• Fluid retention.
• Menstrual disorders.
• Promoting sweating.
• Increasing urine production (diuretic).
• Digestive Issues

Scientific evidence supporting the use of angelic for any digestive issues is scant. Furthermore, the dated and limited evidence that is available suggesting that angelica may help calm digestive issues investigates the use of angelica in combination with other herbal treatments.

While there is a possibility that angelica may help to calm stomach issues like dyspepsia, more research needs to be done to understand its benefits.

In some countries, alternative medicine practitioners have used angelica in combination with other herbs for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

In a review published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, researchers only suggested that angelica and other herbal preparations "could be studied" for their role in the treatment of IBS.

According to folklore, angelica is named after an angel that appeared in plague-ridden Europe and showed a monk the angelica plant as a cure. Today, in addition to the use of angelica extracts and teas as medicine, the herb is used in cooking and as a flavoring agent in alcoholic beverages such as gin and benedictine.

Health Benefits:-

While there has been some research investigating the potential effects that angelica may have on health, strong scientific evidence supporting the use of Angelica is lacking.

For instance, one study published in 2019 explored the use of angelica archangelica as an antitumor agent in the treatment of breast cancer. But the research so far has been limited to rodent and in vitro studies (test tubes). There is no way to know if there may be a benefit for humans.

Here's a look at what existing research says about angelica.

Nocturia:-

nocturia to is a condition defined as the need to wake from sleep one or more times to urinate. 

A  study published in the Scandanavian Journal of Urology investigated angelica's potential use as a treatment for the condition.

Researchers used a specific product derived from the Angelica archangelica leaf to treat 69 men age 45 and over. The patients were randomized to receive the herbal treatment or placebo in a double-blind design for eight weeks. Voiding diaries were assessed before and after the treatment.

Researchers concluded that the herbal treatment was safe, but that it did not improve nocturia overall compared to placebo.

Angelica root typically is given at doses of 3 to 6 g/day of the crude root, but clinical trials are lacking regarding dosage recommendations.

Side Effects:-

Limited clinical trials provide information on adverse effects. A small clinical trial found no increase in blood pressure or heart rate during 8 weeks of leaf extract use. Skin allergies have been reported, and a sensitivity to light is possible.