Be happy with who you are and all else will follow. "Envy eats nothing but its own heart."...
Be happy with who you are and all else will follow. "Envy eats nothing but its own heart." ~ proverb
I'm a Gemini with Pisces rising... that's about as definite as I get.
wishing you laughter!
Member since:17.12.2001
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"Standing tall in summery lace I smile upon you with seraphic grace. As scented gift or candied treat I'll show you how to be divinely sweet. Angels attend my gentle call. I'll strengthen your heart, chase away ghosts, and help mend your bones after a fall." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "It's so clear that you have to cherish everyone. I think that's what I get from these older black women, that every soul is to be cherished, that every flower is to bloom." ~ Alice Walker
"Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of heavenly host. By the divine power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen."~ Prayer to Archangel Michael, the Protector
"Angels transcend every religion, every philosophy, every creed. In fact angels have no religion as we know it... their existence precedes every religious system that has ever existed on earth." ~ St. Thomas Aquinas
There are about 50 species of plants known as Angelica. Some are perennial and others are biennial herbs in the family Apiacea. Giant Angelica, Garden Angelica, Hairy Angelica, Wooly Angelica, Wild Angelica, King's Angelica, Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis), and Poison Angelica are just a few species of this marvelous plant.
Typically, they are native to temperate and subarctic areas in the Northern Hemisphere and can be found as far north as Iceland. Approximately 1-2 meters tall with bi-pinnate leaves and sizable compound umbels of greenish-white or white flowers. Garden Angelica (Angelica Archangelica) is the one typically thought of when speaking of the herb Angelica, and it is used both medicinally and in cooking.
Angelica has a Licorice-like flavor which I find interesting just because they are by no means closely related, perhaps it is their closer relation to anise that brings this flavor. Angelica stems can be candied
much like Licorice that is still favored as a candy today. Crystallized Angelica makes a wonderful addition to sweets and cakes of all sorts.
Young shoots and stalks of Angelica are best harvested in spring and can be eaten raw or cooked, although they should be peeled first. These are excellent as a flavoring to offsettart fruits when baking or making jam. Leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, and make an interesting addition to salads or soups. The essential oil used as a flavoring is rendered from the roots and seeds, and teas can also be brewed from the leaves, seeds, or roots.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." ~Margaret Mead
"Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got." ~Janis Joplin
"The hands of the king are the hands of a healer, and so shall the rightful king be known." ~J.R.R. Tolkien
Medicinally, Angelica has been traditionally used for its antispasmodic, caminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant, tonic or most especially its stomachic qualities. The root contains potassium, magnesium, iron, fructose, glucose, sucrose, riboflavin, thiamin, zinc, vitamin B12, and other trace minerals. Digestive issues and blood circulation problems have often been combated by this heavenly herb.
The root, which is typically the best part of this plant for medicinal purposes, should be harvested in the autumn of its first year. After harvesting and cleaning, it should be sliced lengthwise and dried quickly. If well prepared and stored, this helpful root will retain its medicinal usefulness for several years! Leaves can also be harvested for medicinal purposes and this should be done in spring before the plant begins to flower.
Medicinally, Angelica eases flatulence, indigestion, chronic bronchitis, typhus, and stimulates blood flow to the peripheral parts of the body which has made it very useful to those suffering from conditions like Buerger's disease, which narrows the arteries in hands and feet. Because of this stimulant quality, it is also believed to strengthen the heart. It makes an excellent gargle for sore throats, and a wonderful poultice for itching skin, swellings, rheumatism or even broken bones.
A close relative of carrot, parsley, celery, fennel, and dill, an infusion of this root is said to make an excellent facial wash that helps to prevent acne. It has an antibacterial quality which prevents the growth of various bacteria. This makes powdered Angelica root a successful treatment for athlete's foot as well as a natural pesticide or insecticide.
It has also been used to treat or ease: colic, skin rashes, fever, toothaches, nervousness, anorexia nervosa, anemia, liver stagnation from too many toxins, cirrhosis, constipation, flu, broken bones, lethargy and weakness after an illness, and cystitis. One should definitely avoid getting Angelica juices in the eyes though. Also, this herb has been used to correct obstructed menses, therefore it should not be used if by anyone who is pregnant.
Because of it raises sugar levels, it is not advisable for those suffering from diabetes, although it is otherwise gentle enough for the very young or the elderly. The oil has a musk-like scent and has also been used in baths and perfumery. Little wonder that this marvelous plant has also been called Masterwort!
"The art of healing comes from nature, not from the physician. Therefore the physician must start from nature, with an open mind." ~ Philipus Aureolus Paracelsus quotes
"When I stand before thee at the day's end, thou shalt see my scars and know that I had my wounds and also my healing." ~ Rabindranath Tagore quotes
"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead." ~ Louisa May Alcott
"Bless the LORD, all my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities. Who heals all your diseases." Psalms 103:2-4
The name Archangelica, first appeared in the Middle Ages during the height of the black plague. Legend says that Angelica's many curative properties were revealed in a dream by the Archangel Michael. It has also been called "the root of the holy ghost", and another legend says that it derives its name from its bloom time which occurs around May 8th, the day of Archangel Michael.
It has been commonly believed for generations, in many cultures, that Angelica is a counter-bane, a cure for all ills medical or magical, a protection from all evil creatures or ill intent, a banish-er of ghosts, demons and nightmares, and an attractive to all higher spiritual beings, especially angels and specifically Archangel Michael. In the Americas, Native Americans used Angelica purpoutrea for all the same purposes already listed as well as a wash to remove ghosts from a dwelling.
"When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another." ~Helen Keller
"When we treat man as he is, we make him worse than he is; when we treat him as if he already were what he potentially could be, we make him what he should be." ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"Nothing can bring you peace but yourself." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
In China, dong quai is the feminine counterpart to ginseng and considered a must for all women. I can say that I certainly got better results with dong quai as a mood regulator/lightener than I had did with St. John's Wort, the typical favorite, and this is the herb of choice in Chinese medicine for an overwrought nervous system. When Tolkien's characters from Middle Earth speak of Kingsfoil, I always think of Angelica.
Like Kingsfoil, it makes a wonderfully refreshing aroma that clears the air of a sickroom immediately. It was also used during the black plague as a preventative. Those attending who knew of the Masterwort would keep a piece in their mouth or chew it throughout the day to keep the plague at bay, and as it is an antibacterial, I'm sure it actually did help!
Magically, Angelica is used for exorcism, protection, to connect one to personal higher calling, to connect to Angelic energy, healing, visions, purification. It has been associated with the Sun, the element of Fire, the sun sign of Leo, the goddess Sophia, fertility, the season of Spring, Mary mother of Jesus, Brighid and therefore St. Brigid, Heimdall guardian of the Rainbow Bridge, St. John, Venus, Frey, Hecate, Hestia/Vestia, and Kwan Yin.
Curiously enough, for all its connections to the feminine it is typically considered to be masculine in energy. I assume it is the connection to the Sun which brings this association, although I have to say that I personally view it is as strongly connected to all things feminine and receptive. Brigid, Hestia and Kwan Yin are three of my favorite deities too and perhaps this is why I view heavenly angelica as so strongly feminine.
This is one of my favorite herbs and I use it often. I prefer to use fresh or dried over an extract both internally and externally. One of my favorite incenses to make is simply angelica root and dragon's blood resin, for example. It is the perfect combination of the heavenly sweet intoxication of angelica and the earthy magnetism of dragon's blood that makes me feel instantly serene, infinitely safe, and perfectly centered.
Whether fresh or contained in an oil or product like tea, one sliver of this scent makes me sigh deeply and say, "It's alright now... I'm home." In the language of flowers, Angelica represents Inspiration, and I can certainly see how this airy refresher achieved this association. How does Angelica appear in your life?
"Imagination is the highest kite one can fly." ~ Lauren Bacall
"Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though it is hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop character, and we must learn that the setbacks and griefs which we endure help us in our marching onward." ~ Henry Ford
"We must become the change we want to see."" ~Gandhi
"Grown men can learn from very little children for the hearts of little children are pure. Therefore, the Great Spirit may show to them many things which older people miss." ~ Black Elk
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Very interesting. I love angelica, especially for healing and herbalism. I also love the candied stems, but you don't see to be able to buy this too easily now and I am not clever enough to make them (although I've used angelica for other culinary exploits).
marymoose99 08.02.2008 10:19
A pleasure to read as always. *Huggles* MaryX
battiest 07.02.2008 13:33
It's such a graceful plant, as well as having healing powers. I love my angelica!
Advantages: Extremely versatile plant, can be used as a medicimal remedy as well as in cooking. Disadvantages: Must not be used by diabetics or pregnant women.
Shekera 15.10.2001 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Angelica
Advantages: Extremely versatile plant, can be used as a medicimal remedy as well as in cooking. Disadvantages: Must not be used by diabetics or pregnant women.
Shekera 15.10.2001 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Angelica
Feb 6th, 2008
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