Angelica
Botanical Description & Habitat
Angelica archangelica
Family
Umbelliferae
Common Names
European angelica
Garden angelica
Wild Angelica
Habitat
Northern Europe and Asia; moist mountain ravines, meadows, and coastal regions
Description
A perennial plant with a round, hollow stem growing from a reddish-brown rootstock. The purplish stem is branched near the top and can reach 3-7 feet in height. Its leaves are triangular, growing up to 20 inches in length; the largest leaves are near the base of the plant, and they grow smaller as they reach up the stem. The leaves are divided and subdivided 2-3 times and possess strongly-toothed margins. From June to August the plant bears greenish-white flowers, which emit a honey-like odor. The flowers are displayed in inverted, umbrella-shaped umbels characteristic of the Umbelliferae family. Its fruit appears as 2 double-winged seeds which mature from the flower.
Medicinal Parts
Dried roots and rhizomes; collected in the autumn.
Historical Properties & Uses
Angelica archangelica is the American variety of angelica, and was the common choice in this country until recent years. Today a Chinese variety of the herb (Angelica sinensis or Dong Quai) is more commonly used. It has been used in China for thousands of years and is considered an important medicine, but its chemical and therapeutic relationship to A. archangelica is undetermined.
The American variety has a reputation as a carminative to soothe upset stomach. It has proven antispasodic properties for improved gastrointestinal function. Angelica is used externally to soothe rheumatism, arthritis, and skin disorders; internally, it is used in the treatment of anorexia, dyspepsia, and stomach ulcers.
Many traditional folk medicine uses of angelica have not been investigated and appear unrelated to the herb's known constituents.
This herb has not achieved approval status by the German Commission E. Either there was insufficient evidence in favor, or a contraindication.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Method of Action
An unidentified angelica species was combined with nine other herbs to mimic a common Chinese medicine. The combination was shown to increase the anticancer property and lower the toxicity of mitomycin C.
Angelica has been shown to have moderate antibacterial and antifungal properties.
A constituent of the herb, angelican, when administered intravenously in doses of 20 mg/kg had a depressive effect on the central nervous system. Effects were dose dependent, appearing within 1/2 hour and persisting for 5-24 hours. A dose of 40 mg yielded about the same results as the same dose of chlordiazepoxide Angelicin also markedly inhibited hyperactivity induced by amphetamines. Angelicin was also found to be spasmolytic, demonstrating a marked relaxation of rabbit duodenum.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Known Interactions
A mixture containing astragalia radix, cinnamon, peony, cnidii rhioma, angelica root, ginseng root and licorice root has been shown to enhance antitumor activity and to decrease the toxicity of mitomycin C.
Angelica seeds, insofar as their diuretic action increases renal excretion of sodium and chloride, may potentiate the hyperglycemic and hyperuricemic effects of glucose elevating agents.
The diuretic actions of angelica seeds may potentiate the action of antihypertensive, ganglionic or peripheral adrenergic blocking drugs, tubocurarine, and to a lesser degree, norepinephrine.
Angelica has coumarin constituents i.e. anticoagulant.
Possible Interactions
The oxytocic property of angelica, in conjunction with vasoconstrictors such as ephedrine, methoxamine, phenylephrine or sympathomimetics, may cause severe hypertension. In addition, citrates, in conjunction with angelica, may produce erratic and unpredictable results, due to the oxytocic action of angelica. Angelica root and sparteine may have synergistic oxytocic activity.
The anticoagulant effects of coumarins, such as angelica, are antagonized by vitamin K, mendadione and menadiol sodium diphosphate. Conversely, allopurinol has been tentatively shown to increase the half-life of anticoagulants.
The hypoprothrombinemic effect of angelica root may be increased by the antiarrhythmic agent, quinidine.
As a diuretic, angelica seed is more prone to produce hypokalemia, in conjunction with corticotropin (ACTH) or corticosteroids. The use of this diuretic herb may also require dosage adjustments of antidiabetic drugs.
The diuretic action of angelica seeds may reduce renal clearance of lithium.
Comments
Although the coumarin content of angelica is not high at normal usage levels, it is important to note coumarins can affect the action of almost any drug.
Prolonged use of diuretics such as angelica seed may affect certain laboratory test results such as electrolytes, especially potassium and sodium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid, glucose, and protein bound iodine (PBI).
There is evidence to show combining bactericidal and bacteriostatic agents will lower the effectiveness of the bacteriostatic agent. However, how this finding applies to herbal anti-infectives is still unknown.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
In folk medicine, large doses are said to adversely affect blood pressure, heart action and respiration.
Angelica is generally regarded as safe by the FDA.
Angelica is high in coumarins, many of which are phototoxic to human skin. Hyperpigmentation of the face and neck have been attributed to coumarins similar to those of angelica (the actual coumarins were from bergamot oil). The root oil has been reported to be phototoxic.
Recently, scientists have stated these coumarins (called psoralens) pose a serious health hazard to man and should be avoided, externally or internally. It is, however, too soon to tell if the ingestion of angelica on a moderate basis would produce psoralen toxicity.
The German Commission E also notes the possibility for photosensitivity.
This herb (Angelica root) has approval status by the German Commission E.
However Angelica seed and herb have not achieved approval status by the German Commission E. Either there was insufficient evidence in favor, or a contraindication. They do contain furanocoumarin which renders the skin photosensitive.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Preparation & Administration
Three times a day
Dried leaf
2-5 grams
Tea
made from of 1 tsp dried leaf
Fluid extract
1:1 in 25% alcohol, 1-3 ml
Tincture
1:5 in 45% alcohol, 2-4 ml
The root is used and approved in Germany in several forms: (daily dosages)
4.5 g drug
1.5 - 3 g fluid extract
1.5 g tincture
10 - 20 drops of essential oil
This herb has approval status by the German Commission E to boost appetite and relieve peptic and GI discomforts.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
Aburada, M., et.al. Protective effects of juzentaihoto, dried decoction of 10 chinese herbs mixture, upon the adverse effects of mitomycin C in mice. Journal of Pharmacobiodynamics, 6(12). 1983.
Am Hospital Formulary Service. Am Soc. of Hosp. Pharmacists. Wash. D.C.
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Bressler, R., M.D. Bogdonoff & G.J. Subak-Sharpe. 1981. The Physicians Drug Manual. Doubleday & Co, Inc. Garden City, NY. 1213 pp.
Casaday, et.al. Postpartum hypertension after the use of vasoconstrictors and oxytoxic drugs. Etiology, incidence, complications and treatment. J of the Am Med Assoc, 172 (Mar 5). 1960.
Cha, L. Chien, C.C., Lu, F.H. Antiarrythmic effect of Angelica sinensis root, tetrandrine, and Sophora flavescens root. Chin Pharm Bull 16 (1981): 53-54.
Chambers, G., R. Kerry & G. Owen. 1977. Lithium used with a diuretic. BMJ, 2: 805-806.
Chandhoke, N. & B. Ghatak. Pharmacological investigations of angelicin, a tranquilizing sedative & anticonvulsant agent. Indian J. Of Med. Rsrch, 63, 833, 1975.
Chiles, V.K. 1968. Drug interactions and the pharmacist. Canadian Pharaceutical Journal, 101(7). pp. 241-247.
De Martinis, M., et.al. Milk thistle (silybum marianum) derivatives in the therapy of chronic hepatopathies. Clin. Ter., 94(3). pp. 283-315. 1980.
Drug package insert (Fda approved official brochure) and other labeling based on sponsored clinical investigations and New Drug Application data.
Fitzpatrick. Plant substances active against mycobacterium tuberculosis. Antibiotics & Chemotherapy, 4(5), 528-536, 1954.
Goldner, M., H. Zarowitz & S. Akgun. Hyperglycemia and glycosuria due to thiazide derivatives administered in diabetes mellitus. NEJM, 262.p.403.
Goodman, L.S. & A. Gilman. 1975. Pharm Basis of Thera. Macmillan, N Y.
Hansten, P.D. 1979. Drug Interactions, 4th ed. Lea & Febiger, Phila.
Hansten, P.D. 1968. Antidiabetic drug interactions. Hospital Form. Management, 4(2). pp. 30-32.
Hurtig, H.I. & W.L. Dyson. 1974. Lithium toxicity enhanced by diuresis. New England J of Med, 290(Mar 28). pp. 748-749.
Hyde. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Brit. Herb. Med. Assoc: England, 1983.
Ivie, G.W., Holt, D.L. & Ivey, M.C. Science, 213, 909-910, 1981.
Kastrup, E.K., ed. 1981. Drug Facts and Comparisons, 1982 edition. Facts and Comparisions Division, J.P. Lippincott Co, Phila (St.Louis).
Leung, Albert Y. 1980. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredient used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. John Wiley and Sons, New York. 409 pp.
List, P.H. & L. Hoerhammer. 1969-1976. Hagers Hanbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, vols. 2-5. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Lu, R.M., Ho, L.I., Lo, S.Y. Determination of ferulic acid in Danggui (Angelica sinensis). Chin Trad Herb Drugs I I (1980): 385-388.
Lutz, E.G. 1975. Lithium toxicity precipitated by diuretics. Journal of the Medical Society of New Jersey, 72(5). pp. 439-440.
Martin, E.W. 1978. Drug Interactions Index, 1978/79. J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia.
Maruzzella, J.C. & Sircurella, N.A. Antibacterial activity of essential oil vapors. J Of The Am Pharm Assoc, 49(11), 692-694, 1960.
Miller, R.D., et.al. 1976. Enhancement of d-tubocurarine neuromuscular blockage by diuretics in man. Anesth, 45. p.442.
Miller, L. & R. Lindeman. Red Blood Cell and Serum Selenium Concentration as Influenced by Age and Selected Diseases. J Of Am Col Nutri, 2. 1983.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Newall CA, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines A Guide for Health-care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996:21,45,63,282.
Opdyke, D.L.J. Food Cosmetics And Toxicology, 13(Supplement), 713, 1975.
Sara, C. 1965. Drugs that complicate the course of anaesthesia. Medical Journal of Australia, 52. pp. 139-142.
Scientific Committee, British Herbal Pharmocopaeia, Brit. Herb. Med. Assoc, Lane House, Cowling, Na Keighley, West Yorks, Bd Bd220lx, l983.
Self, T., et.al. Drug-enhancement of warfarin activity. Lancet, 2.p. 557.
Stuart, D.M. 1968. Drug metabolism Part 2. Drug interactions. PharmIndex, 10(10). pp. 4-16.
Thorn, G.W. 1966. Clin considerations in the use of corticosteroids. New England J of Medicine, 274(Apr 7). pp. 775-781.
Tuttle, C.B. 1969. Drug interactions. Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, 22(5-6). pp. 2-15.
Udall, J. Drug interference with warfarin therapy. Clin. Med., 77. p. 20.
Weart, C.W. 1975. "Coumarin and allopurinol -- a drug interaction case report (abstr)." Contributed paper, 32nd annual meeting Ashp.
Essential Oil
See Angelica Essence under Aromatherapy
Multimedia
Angelica archangelica
© Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
| Signup Free Applied Health Journal |
||||
|
FREE Sample Issue Your email address is all we need to start you on a better path to health. We respect your privacy.
|
