The efficacy and function of European Angelica

European Angelica is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine and is very helpful for many diseases. Let us give a brief introduction to European Angelica below.

【English name】 Root of Garden Lovage

[Source] Medicinal material source: It is the root of Angelica sinensis of the Umbelliferae family.

[Original form] Perennial herb, 12.5m high. The whole plant has a fragrance; the roots are large and have branch roots. The stem is smooth and hairless, with longitudinal grooves, purple-red and hollow. The basal leaves and the middle leaves below the stem are pinnately divided in two to three parts, with long petioles. The base of the petioles is swollen into oblong, purplish-red leaf sheaths; the leaves above the stem are usually pinnately divided only once; the petioles of the cauline leaves are shorter, and the uppermost leaves are mostly simplified into small leaflets with three lobes at the tip; the lower leaf margin is entire, the tip is acute, and the base is cuneate. The compound umbel is about 12cm in diameter, with 12-20 rays; there are 7-11 bracts and 8-12 bracteoles, all of which are broadly lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, recurved at the apex, with white margins and membranous texture; the umbels are nearly spherical; the calyx teeth are not obvious; the flowers are yellow-green, with short claws at the base of the petals. The fruit is oval, slightly flattened on the back, 5-7cm long, 3-4cm wide, with broad wing-shaped lateral and dorsal ridges, one oil tube in each groove and two oil tubes on the commissure. The flowering period is from June to August, and the fruiting period is from August to September.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: It is cultivated in North my country, Liaoning, Shaanxi, Xinjiang, Shandong, Guanshu, Henan and other places.

[Chemical composition] Contains a variety of volatile oil components, mainly ligustilide[1-4], β-phellandrene, and citronellal[1]. It also contains butylidene phthalide[4], butylph-thalide, umbelliferone, psoralen, bergapten[5], falcarindiol, ange-olide[6], senkyunolide[7], rutin, kaempferol-3-O-rutoside, isoquercetin, adtragalin[8], ferulic acid, benzonic acid, succinic acid, adenine, and sucrose. Thin layer chromatography showed the presence of glucose, fructose, niacin and amino acids [9]. In addition, this product contains five new ligustilide dimers[6].

[Pharmacological action] The water extract and volatile oil of the root can inhibit the rhythmic contraction of the uterus and counteract the spasmodic effect of acetylcholine on the uterine and intestinal smooth muscles. The anhydrous ethanol extract has estrogen-like effects.

【Nature and flavor】 Spicy; slightly sweet; slightly warm

【Functions and indications】Promote blood circulation and regulate menstruation; diuretic. Mainly used for amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, dizziness, headache, limb numbness, edema

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 6-15g; or made into pills or powder.

[Discussions by various scholars] "Xinhua Compendium of Materia Medica": It has certain effects in treating amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea and dysmenorrhea. At the same time, it also has significant therapeutic effects on symptoms such as dizziness, headache, numbness of limbs, insomnia, and dry stool.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above are some little knowledge about European Angelica. If you feel that it is suitable for your physical condition, you might as well give it a try. I believe it will bring about a significant improvement to your body.