The plant known as the archangel of angels is almost always found in the digestive liqueurs distilled in the old monasteries; and the name comes from a beautiful story.
Centuries ago, during those dread years of the plague, a young priest prayed to God that the plague might by-pass his village. Remembering that the plague killed a third of the population, you can imagine that his prayer carried an urgency. The Archangel Michael came to him and told him that everyone should place a piece of the root in their mouth and hold it there; in doing so, they shall be spared. That indeed came to pass, and in gratitude, they named this plant Angelica archangelica. I often include the herb in the prescription when my patient needs an angel.
Today, we still use and love this beautiful and statuesque plant. Whilst it is best known as a digestive and lung tonic, scientists have found that it can kill breast cancer cells(1), as well as other cancer cells(2).
Other studies found that Angelica species help rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting the damaging inflammation whilst promoting the regrowth of cartilage(3).
Personally, I like to use this herb to help those who are so run down and fatigued that they don’t have the energy to even digest their food. I also love to use it in winter when people are so cold that it goes to their lungs and they suffer from ongoing hacking coughs.
(1)^ I-Hsiao C, Chien-Yu C, Yu-Hsuan L, I-Fen C. Angelicin inhibits the growth and migration of triple-negative breast cancer cells. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2023 Jan;36(1):51-57. PMID: 36967496.
(2)^ Oliveira CR, Spindola DG, Garcia DM, Erustes A, Bechara A, Palmeira-Dos-Santos C, Smaili SS, Pereira GJS, Hinsberger A, Viriato EP, Cristina Marcucci M, Sawaya ACHF, Tomaz SL, Rodrigues EG, Bincoletto C. Medicinal properties of Angelica archangelica root extract: Cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells and its protective effects against in vivo tumor development. J Integr Med. 2019 Mar;17(2):132-140. doi: 10.1016/j.joim.2019.02.001. Epub 2019 Feb 8. PMID: 30799248.
(3)^ Magdalou J, Chen LB, Wang H, Qin J, Wen Y, Li XJ, Shang L, Li J. Angelica sinensis and osteoarthritis: a natural therapeutic link? Biomed Mater Eng. 2015;25(1 Suppl):179-86. doi: 10.3233/BME-141250. PMID: 25538068.