PDR for Herbal Medicines

32/ANEMARRHENA (ZHI-MU) PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Takahashi M, Konno C, Hikino H, Isolation and hypoglycemic

activity of anemarans A, B, C and D, glycans of Anemarrhena

asphodeloides rhizomes. Planta Med, 57:100-2, 1985 Apr.

Anemone nemorosa

See Wood Anemone

Anethum graveolens

See Dill

Angelica

Angelica archangelica

TRADE NAMES

Nature's Answer Angelica Root Liquid

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the seed, whole

herb and root.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are greenish-white to

yellowish and are arranged in 20 to 40 rayed compact

umbels without an involucre. The tiny epicalyx has numer-

ous sepals with minute tips. The petals have an indented,

indistinguishable tip. The elliptic fruit is 7 mm long by 4 mm

wide and winged. The outer fruit membrane separates from

the inner one.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is 50 to 250 cm tall. The

rhizome is short, strong, fleshy and has long fibrous roots.

The stem is erect, often as thick as an arm at the base. It is

round, finely grooved, hollow and tinged reddish below. The

leaves are very large, 60 to 90 cm and tri-pinnate with a

hollow petiole. Leaflets are ovate and unevenly serrate. The

leaf sheaths are large and swollen.

Characteristics: The plant has a strong tangy odor. The taste

is sweetish to burning tangy.

Habitat: Angelica is thought by some botanists to be

indigenous to Syria, Holland or Poland. Today it is found

growing in the wild on the coasts of the North and Baltic

Seas as far north as Lapland. It is a protected species in

Iceland, and is cultivated in other regions. Other species are

found in America (A. atropurpurea), in Europe (A. sylves-

tris) and in China/Asia (A. sinensis).

Production: Angelica seed consists of the fruit of Angelica
archangelica, which is harvested from July onward. After

drying in the air or in ovens, the umbels are threshed to

separate the seeds. Angelica herb consists of the above-

ground parts of Angelica archangelica. Angelica root is the

dried root and rhizome of Angelica archangelica.

Other Names: European Angelica, Garden Angelica, Angel's

Wort

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS: ANGELICA FRUIT

Volatile oil: constituents include hexylmethyl phthalate,

alpha-pinene, beta-phellandrene, borneol, camphene, beta-

bisabolene, beta-caryophyllene, macrocyclic lactones (odor-

determining) such as 15-oxypentadecenlactone

Furanocoumarins: including angelicin, bergaptene, impera-

torin, oxypeucedanin, xantholtoxin

Fatty oil

Phytosterols: including beta-sitosterol, sigmasterol

EFFECTS: ANGELICA FRUIT

The furanocoumarins in the fruit are cytostatic and phototox-

ic. The spasmolytic, gastric juice-stimulating and cholagogic

effect of the herb could be explained by the aromatic-

amaroid structure.

COMPOUNDS: ANGELICA LEAVES

Volatile Oil (0.015 to 0.1%): chief constituents myrcene (17

to 29%), p-cymene, limonene, cis-and trans-ocimene, alpha-

phellandrene, beta-phellandrene, alpha-pinene

Furanocoumarins: including angelicin, bergaptene, impera-

torin, isoimperatorin, oxypeucedanin, archangelicin

EFFECTS: ANGELICA LEAVES

The essential oils and furanocoumarins from the leaves have

a strong irritant effect on the skin and mucous membranes

(angelica dermatitis). The spasmolytic, gastric juice-stimulat-

ing and cholagogic effect of the herb could be explained by

the aromatic-amaroid structure.

COMPOUNDS: ANGELICA ROOT

Volatile oil: chief components are alpha- and beta-phellan-

drenes, alpha-pinenes, macrocyclic lactones, including pen-

ta- and heptadecanolide

Furanocoumarins: including bergaptene, xanthotoxin, sco-

poletin, umbelliferone

Caffeic acid derivatives: including chlorogenic acid

Flavonoids

EFFECTS: ANGELICA ROOT

The root acts as an antispasmodic, cholagogue and stimulato-

ry for secretion of gastric juices.