The efficacy and function of Korean Angelica

Do you know about Korean angelica? It is a common medicinal material. Generally, Korean angelica is used as raw material in many places. It can also treat many physical diseases. Let’s take a look at the relevant knowledge about Korean angelica.

【Other name】 Chinese Angelica

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

[Original form] Perennial tall herb, 1-2m high. The root is conical, up to 40cm long, 2-5cm thick, with a short and thick root neck, several lateral roots, and is gray-brown. The stem is stout, hollow, purple, 1.5-5cm thick, glabrous, and has deep longitudinal grooves. The petioles of the basal leaves and the lower stem leaves are up to 30 cm long; the leaf blades are nearly triangular in outline, 20-40 cm long and 20-30 cm wide; the petioles of the leaves in the middle of the stem are nearly 20 cm long, and the base of the petioles gradually becomes a sheath that embraces the stem; the terminal segments are oblong-lanceolate, 4-15 cm long, 1.5-5 cm wide, cuneate at the base, pointed or acuminate at the apex, with irregular sharp serrations on the edges; the upper leaves are simplified into sac-shaped, swollen sheaths with finely fissured leaves at the top, purple on the outside, and glabrous. The compound umbel is nearly spherical, with short rough hairs on the peduncles, rays and petioles; the peduncle is 2-6cm long; there are 1 to several involucral bracts, which are swollen into a sac-like shape, dark purple, and wrap around the inflorescence during the bud stage, and are spherical. There are several involucral bracts, which are ovate-lanceolate, purple and glabrous; the umbels are densely packed into small spheres; the calyx teeth are not obvious; the petals are obovate, dark purple; the stamens are dark purple; the stylopodium is short conical, and the style is short. The fruit is oval, purple-red when young, yellow-brown when ripe, 5-8mm long, 3-5mm wide, with a raised dorsal ridge. Rib-shaped, chamfered wing-shaped, with 1 oil tube in each groove, at least 2, and 2-4 oil tubes on the commissure. The flowering period is from July to September, and the fruiting period is from August to October.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing on high mountain slopes, ditch sides, forest edges and forest tops above 1000m above sea level.

[Properties] Property identification: The root head is short and thick, 2-5cm long and 2-3cm in diameter. The surface is dark gray-brown with horizontal ring patterns, a leaf base scar on the top, and several branch roots underneath. The lateral roots are 5-15cm long and 0.5-1cm in diameter. The surface has longitudinal wrinkles and numerous transversely protruding lenticel-like scars, and exudative brown-brown viscous resinous substances can be seen. The texture is brittle, the bark is grayish white in cross section, and the wood is yellowish white. It has a fragrant aroma and tastes slightly sweet, then spicy and bitter.

[Chemical composition] The above-ground part contains gigasol. The root contains umbelliferon, bergapten, imperatorin, isoimperatorin, xanthotoxin, scoparone, columbianadin, nodakenetin, xantho-toxol, decursinol, scopoletin, nodakenin, decursin, 7-demethylsuberosin, colurnbianetin and decursinol angelate. The volatile oil of the root mainly contains α-pinene, myrcene and p-cymene. The plant also contains volatile components: butylidenephtalide, ligustilide, butylphthalide, car-boxylic acid, ferulic acid, and nicotinic acid.

[Pharmacological action] Purpurogenol, a methanol-soluble extract extracted from the root of Korean angelica, and purpurogenol, a methanol-insoluble extract, have a sedative effect and can inhibit the spontaneous activity of mice pretreated with caffeine sodium benzoate (30 mg/kg). The inhibitory effect of purpurogenol is greater than that of purpurogenol.

【Nature and flavor】 Spicy; warm

【Functions and indications】 Dispel wind and dredge meridians; promote blood circulation and relieve pain. Mainly used for rheumatism, arthralgia, swelling and pain caused by falls

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 10-15g. For external use: take appropriate amount and decoct in water for washing.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Above, we introduced what Korean angelica is and understood its effects and functions. Korean angelica can improve our immunity. It also has a therapeutic effect in health preservation and has many benefits to our body.