Angelica (Angelica archangelica) Research

Latin name:  Angelica archangelica

Family: Apiaceae

Angelica root has been used in history for a variety of digestive, respiratory, and nervous system conditions.  It has also been revered for its antimicrobial actions against the plague, cold, and flu.  The roots are often an ingredient in the distillation of gin.

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the species, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  Research found is catalogued by therapeutic action.  This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use.

GENERAL

• Angelica has been used as a folk remedy for headaches, fever, skin conditions, joint pain, toothaches, epilepsy, gastric ulcers, bronchitis, chronic fatigue, and menstrual issues. It has demonstrated the following actions in studies: antiulcer, hepatoprotective, anticancer, and anxiolytic. From: Maurya, A., Verma, S. C., Gupta, V., & Shankar, M. B. (2017). Angelica archangelica L.-A Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review. Asian Journal of Research in Chemistry, 10(6), 852-856.
• Lis-Balchin, M.  (2006).  Aromatherapy science, A guide for healthcare professionals.  Pharmaceutical Press.  London
• Natural Medicines (2017).  Angelica Monograph.  Retrieved from:  https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com.  Retrieved in March, 2018.
• Angelica has been used traditionally for digestive complaints, as a diuretic, for respiratory issues, skin irritations, headaches, fever, toothaches, menstrual issues, oral analgesic, antimicrobial, sedative, and immunity booster. Scientific studies have demonstrated the following effects: anti-cancer, antifungal, neuroprotective, anticonvulsants, hepatoprotective, and antiulcer. From: Bhat, Z. A., Kumar, D., & Shah, M. Y. (2011). Angelica archangelica Linn. is an angel on earth for the treatment of diseases. International Journal of Nutrition, Pharmacology, Neurological Diseases, 1(1), 36.  Read more:  Link
• Angelica ssp. have traditionally been used to treat malaria, female diseases, fever, anemia, and joint pains. Science has shown the following activities: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and insecticidal. From: Sowndhararajan, K., Deepa, P., Kim, M., Park, S. J., & Kim, S. (2017). A review of the composition of the essential oils and biological activities of angelica species. Scientia pharmaceutica, 85(3), 33.
• Deng, S. (2005). Phytochemical investigation of bioactive constituents from Angelica sinensis (Doctoral dissertation, University of Illinois at Chicago).

SAFETY

• Possible abortafacient; avoid with pregnancy and lactation (Lis-Balchin, 2006 and Natural Medicines, 2017).
• Photosensitiation, avoid with sun (Lis-Balchin, 2006).
• Appearance is very similar to highly poisonous species.  Do not ingest or touch if you are not sure.

ANTIMICROBIAL / ANTIBACTERIAL / ANTIFUNGAL / ANTIVIRAL

• A blend with burdock (Arctium lappa ), angelica (Angelica sinensis ), gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon ), and sesame oil (Sesamum indicum ) reduced Helicobacter pylori gastro-bacterial infection in this eight week double blind study with 36 subjects. It reduced inflammation and adhesion activities of the bacteria. From: Yen, C. H., Chiu, H. F., Huang, S. Y., Lu, Y. Y., Han, Y. C., Shen, Y. C., … & Wang, C. K. (2018). Beneficial effect of Burdock complex on asymptomatic Helicobacter pylori‐infected subjects: A randomized, double‐blind placebo‐controlled clinical trial. Helicobacter, 23(3), e12469.
• Coumarins from angelica root extracts showed activity against the herpes simplex virus – 1 in vitro. From: Rajtar, B., Skalicka-Woźniak, K., Świątek, Ł., Stec, A., Boguszewska, A., & Polz-Dacewicz, M. (2017). Antiviral effect of compounds derived from Angelica archangelica L. on Herpes simplex virus-1 and Coxsackievirus B3 infections. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 109, 1026-1031.
• Essential oil from angelica root had strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. From: Aćimović, M. G., Pavlović, S. Đ., Varga, A. O., Filipović, V. M., Cvetković, M. T., Stanković, J. M., & Čabarkapa, I. S. (2017). Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of Angelica archangelica root essential oil. Natural product communications, 12(2), 1934578X1701200216.  Read more:  Link
• Inhibition of 45 oils on eight bacteria (four Gram positive and four Gram negative), two fungi, and one yeast were examined using disk assay.  Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Melaleuca alternifolia showed an inhibition against all test organisms and phage. Coriandrum sativum highly inhibited Gram positive bacteria and fungi. Cymbopogon flexuosus and Chamaemelum nobile oils highly inhibited both phage types.  Angelica archangelica and Pinus sylvestris inhibited bacteria, but not any fungi. Oils with the highest antimicrobial abilities with the broadest range of inhibition were cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus), savory (Satureja montana), Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora), spearmint (Mentha spicata) and tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia).  From:  Chao, S. C., Young, D. G., & Oberg, C. J. (2000). Screening for inhibitory activity of essential oils on selected bacteria, fungi and viruses. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 12(5), 639-649.
• Thyme, cinnamon, bay, clove, almond (bitter), lovage, pimento, marjoram, angelica, nutmeg, and geranium showed strong inhibitory action against multiple bacteria.  From:  Deans, S. G., & Ritchie, G. (1987). Antibacterial properties of plant essential oils. International journal of food microbiology, 5(2), 165-180.
• Angelica extracts were effective against mold in walnuts.  From:  Prakash, B., Singh, P., Goni, R., Raina, A. K. P., & Dubey, N. K. (2015). Efficacy of Angelica archangelica essential oil, phenyl ethyl alcohol and α-terpineol against isolated molds from walnut and their antiaflatoxigenic and antioxidant activity. Journal of food science and technology, 52(4), 2220-2228.
• Essential oil from angelica root was antifungal against multiple tested plant pathological fungi. From: Fraternale, D., Flamini, G., & Ricci, D. (2016). Essential oil composition of Angelica archangelica L.(Apiaceae) roots and its antifungal activity against plant pathogenic fungi. Plant Biosystems-An International Journal Dealing with all Aspects of Plant Biology, 150(3), 558-563.
• Angelica root extracts demonstrated antimicrobial activity in vitro against tested pathogens. From: Naujokaitytė, G., Mickienė, R., Drevinskas, T., Stankevičius, M., Ragažinskienė, O., & Maruška, A. (2017). Phenolic metabolites and antimicrobial activity of Angelica Archangelica L. In ITP 2017: Electro-and liquid phase-separation techniques: 24th international symposium, 10-13 September, 2017 Sopot/Gdansk, Poland: abstract book. Gdansk: Gdanski Uniwersytet Medyczny, 2017.  Read more:  Link
• Essential oils from Angelica glauca and A. archangelica have shown antimicrobial and antioxidant activities that could be useful in food preservation. From: Joshi, R. K. (2016). Angelica (Angelica glauca and A. archangelica) Oils. In Essential Oils in Food Preservation, Flavor and Safety (pp. 203-208). Academic Press.
• Angelica root essential oil was antimicrobial in vitro against Clostridium difficile, C. perfringens, Enterococcus faecalis, Eubacterium limosum, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, and Candida albicans. From: Fraternale, D., Flamini, G., & Ricci, D. (2014). Essential oil composition and antimicrobial activity of Angelica archangelica L.(Apiaceae) roots. Journal of medicinal food, 17(9), 1043-1047.  Read more:  Link
• Essential oil from the aerial parts of an Angelica ssp. demonstrated antifungal activity against a variety of mucocutaneous fungi. From: Cavaleiro, C., Salgueiro, L., Gonçalves, M. J., Hrimpeng, K., Pinto, J., & Pinto, E. (2015). Antifungal activity of the essential oil of Angelica major against Candida, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus and dermatophyte species. Journal of natural medicines, 69(2), 241-248.
• Sixteen essential oils and forty-two pure constituents were tested against Candida albicans. Origanum vulgare, Satureja montana, Mentha piperita, Cinnamomum verum, and Cymbopogon flexuosus along with the  pure constituents of , β-phellandrene, carvacrol, 1-decanol, and trans-cynnamaldehyde.  From:  Tampieri, M. P., Galuppi, R., Macchioni, F., Carelle, M. S., Falcioni, L., Cioni, P. L., & Morelli, I. (2005). The inhibition of Candida albicans by selected essential oils and their major components. Mycopathologia, 159(3), 339-345.
• Alpha pinene showed antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial activity in vitro.  From:  Silva, A. C. R. D., Lopes, P. M., Azevedo, M. M. B. D., Costa, D. C. M., Alviano, C. S., & Alviano, D. S. (2012). Biological activities of a-pinene and β-pinene enantiomers. Molecules, 17(6), 6305-6316.

​INSECT REPELLING

• Angelica archangelica root showed mosquito deterrent activities.  From:  Wedge, D. E., Klun, J. A., Tabanca, N., Demirci, B., Ozek, T., Baser, K. H. C., … & Zhang, J. (2008). Bioactivity-guided fractionation and GC/MS fingerprinting of Angelica sinensis and Angelica archangelica root components for antifungal and mosquito deterrent activity. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 57(2), 464-470.

ANXIOLYTIC

• Angelica essential oil exhibited anxiolytic effects in vivo similar to diazepam.  From:  Chen, S. W., Min, L., Li, W. J., Kong, W. X., Li, J. F., & Zhang, Y. J. (2004). The effects of angelica essential oil in three murine tests of anxiety. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 79(2), 377-382.  Read more:  Link
• Angelica root essential oil reduced anxiety related anti-social behavior in mice.  From:  Min, L., Chen, S. W., Li, W. J., Wang, R., Li, Y. L., Wang, W. J., & Mi, X. J. (2005). The effects of angelica essential oil in social interaction and hole-board tests. Pharmacology Biochemistry and behavior, 81(4), 838-842.  Read more:  Link
• Oral intake of angelica root extracts reduced anxiety in mice. From: Kumar, D., Bhat, Z. A., & Shah, M. Y. (2012). Anti-anxiety activity of successive extracts of Angelica archangelica Linn. on the elevated T-maze and forced swimming tests in rats. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 32(3), 423-429.  Read more:  Link

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

• Angelica root essential oil showed in vitro anti-inflammatory activity. From: Fraternale, D., Teodori, L., Rudov, A., Prattichizzo, F., Olivieri, F., Guidarelli, A., & Albertini, M. C. (2018). The In Vitro Activity of Angelica archangelica L. Essential Oil on Inflammation. Journal of medicinal food, 21(12), 1238-1243.
• Angelica essential oil injections reduced acute inflammation in vivo. From: Li, J., Hua, Y., Ji, P., Yao, W., Zhao, H., Zhong, L., & Wei, Y. (2016). Effects of volatile oils of Angelica sinensis on an acute inflammation rat model. Pharmaceutical biology, 54(9), 1881-1890.

ANTI-CONVULSIVE

• An anti-seizure effect was demonstrated in vivo with the angelica root essential oil. From: Pathak, S., Wanjari, M. M., Jain, S. K., & Tripathi, M. (2010). Evaluation of antiseizure activity of essential oil from roots of Angelica archangelica Linn. in mice. Indian journal of pharmaceutical sciences, 72(3), 371.

COGNITION

• Angelica extracts reportedly reduced dementia symptoms. From: Kimura, T., & Takamatsu, J. (2015). Ferulic Acid and Angelica archangelica Extract in Dementia: Effects on Cognitive Functions and Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia. In Diet and Nutrition in Dementia and Cognitive Decline (pp. 993-1001). Academic Press.
• The furanocoumarin imperatorin found in Angelica fruit extracts improved memory behaviours in mice. From: Sigurdsson, S., & Gudbjarnason, S. (2013). Effect of oral imperatorin on memory in mice. Biochemical and biophysical research communications, 441(2), 318-320.

ANTIOXIDANT

• Essential oils from Angelica glauca and A. archangelica have shown antimicrobial and antioxidant activities that could be useful in food preservation. From: Joshi, R. K. (2016). Angelica (Angelica glauca and A. archangelica) Oils. In Essential Oils in Food Preservation, Flavor and Safety (pp. 203-208). Academic Press.
• In this in vitro study, 47 herbs traditionally used to treat urinary and kidney disfunction were tested for their antioxidant potential and toxicity. Angelica sinensis, Centella asiatica, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Scutellaria lateriflora, and Olea europaea all showed strong antioxidant action, while Dioscorea villosa showed significant renal toxicity.  From: Wojcikowski, K., Wohlmuth, H., Johnson, D. W., Rolfe, M., & Gobe, G. (2009). An in vitro investigation of herbs traditionally used for kidney and urinary system disorders: potential therapeutic and toxic effects. Nephrology, 14(1), 70-79.

PRESERVATIVE

• Essential oils from Angelica Glauca and A. archangelica have shown antimicrobial and antioxidant activities that could be useful in food preservation. From: Joshi, R. K. (2016). Angelica (Angelica glauca and A. archangelica) Oils. In Essential Oils in Food Preservation, Flavor and Safety (pp. 203-208). Academic Press.
• Angelica extracts were effective against mold in walnuts.  From:  Prakash, B., Singh, P., Goni, R., Raina, A. K. P., & Dubey, N. K. (2015). Efficacy of Angelica archangelica essential oil, phenyl ethyl alcohol and α-terpineol against isolated molds from walnut and their antiaflatoxigenic and antioxidant activity. Journal of food science and technology, 52(4), 2220-2228.

ANTI-CANCER

• Anti-cancer and anti-tumor activites of Angelica ssp. were reviewed. From: Mira, A., & Shimizu, K. (2016). An Update on Antitumor Activity of Angelica Species. In Medicinal Plants-Recent Advances in Research and Development (pp. 363-371). Springer, Singapore.
• Angelica root extracts showed in vitro and in vivo activity against breast cancer cells. From: Oliveira, C. R., Spindola, D. G., Garcia, D. M., Erustes, A., Bechara, A., Palmeira-dos-Santos, C., … & Marcucci, M. C. (2019). Medicinal properties of Angelica archangelica root extract: Cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells and its protective effects against in vivo tumor development. Journal of integrative medicine, 17(2), 132-140.
• Angelica leaf extracts had an antiproliferative effect in vitro and an antitumor effect in vivo on breast cancer. From: Sigurdsson, S., Ögmundsdóttir, H. M., Hallgrimsson, J., & Gudbjarnason, S. (2005). Antitumour activity of Angelica archangelica leaf extract. in vivo, 19(1), 191-194.
• Extracts from angelica fruits were antiproliferative against pancreas cancer cells in vitro. From: Sigurdsson, S., Ögmundsdottir, H. M., & Gudbjarnason, S. (2004). Antiproliferative effect of Angelica archangelica fruits. Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C, 59(7-8), 523-527.

ANTI-ULCER

• Extracts from Iberis amara (candytuft), Melissa officinalis (Melissa), Matricaria recutita (chamomile), Carum carvi (caraway), Mentha piperita (peppermint), Glycyrrhtza glabra (licorice), Angelica archangelica (Angelica), Silybum marianum (milk thistle), and Chelidonium majus (celandines) demonstrated in vivo antiulcer activity alone and as a combined furomulation. From: Khayyal, M. T., El-Ghazaly, M. A., Kenawy, S. A., Seif-El-Nasr, M., Mahran, L. G., Kafafi, Y. A., & Okpanyi, S. N. (2001). Antiulcerogenic effect of some gastrointestinally acting plant extracts and their combination. Arzneimittelforschung, 51(07), 545-553.

MOUTH COLD SORES

• Coumarins from angelica root extracts showed activity against the herpes simplex virus – 1 in vitro. From: Rajtar, B., Skalicka-Woźniak, K., Świątek, Ł., Stec, A., Boguszewska, A., & Polz-Dacewicz, M. (2017). Antiviral effect of compounds derived from Angelica archangelica L. on Herpes simplex virus-1 and Coxsackievirus B3 infections. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 109, 1026-1031.

HEPATOPROTECTIVE

• Angelica extracts reduced induced hepatoxicity in mice. From: Yeh, M. L., Liu, C. F., Huang, C. L., & Huang, T. C. (2003). Hepatoprotective effect of Angelica archangelica in chronically ethanol-treated mice. Pharmacology, 68(2), 70-73.

RESPIRATORY

• Listed are herbs commonly used for cough suppression.  These herbs include: Acacia catechu, Acorus calamus, Adhatoda vasica, Allium sativum, Angelica archangelica, Astragalus membranaceus, Carum copticum, Lavandula angustifolia, Lobelia inflata, Salvia officinalis, Sambucus nigra, Tussilago farfara, Valeriana officinalis, Verbascum thapsus, and Zingiber officinale.  From:  Sultana, S., Khan, A., & Alhazmi, M. M. S. H. A. (2016). Cough Suppressant Herbal Drugs: A Review. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science Invention, 5(5), 15-28.
• In this placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial 246 patients with chronic bronchitis, long use (one month) of myrtol (contains alpha pinene) over one month was tolerable and effective.   From:  Meister, R., Wittig, T., Beuscher, N., & de Mey, C. (1999). Efficacy and tolerability of Myrtol standardized in long-term treatment of chronic bronchitis. Arzneimittelforschung, 49(04), 351-358.
• In this 2 week treatment of 676 patients with chronic bronchitis, myrtol (contains alpha pinene, cineole, and d-limonene) was safe and effective.  Angelica root contains  alpha pinene and d-limonene in high amounts.  From:  Matthys, H., de Mey, C., Carls, C., Ryś, A., Geib, A., & Wittig, T. (2000). Efficacy and tolerability of myrtol standardized in acute bronchitis. Arzneimittelforschung, 50(08), 700-711.

QUITE SMOKING

• Inhalation of black pepper and angelica essential oil aromas for 2 minutes reduced nicotine cravings in 20 adult smokers. From: Cordell, B., & Buckle, J. (2013). The effects of aromatherapy on nicotine craving on a US campus: A small comparison study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 19(8), 709-713.  Read more: Link

GREEN GARDENING

• Essential oil from angelica root was antifungal against multiple tested plant pathological fungi. From: Fraternale, D., Flamini, G., & Ricci, D. (2016). Essential oil composition of Angelica archangelica L.(Apiaceae) roots and its antifungal activity against plant pathogenic fungi. Plant Biosystems-An International Journal Dealing with all Aspects of Plant Biology, 150(3), 558-563.

URINARY SYSTEM

• In this in vitro study, 47 herbs traditionally used to treat urinary and kidney disfunction were tested for their antioxidant potential and toxicity. Angelica sinensis, Centella asiatica, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Scutellaria lateriflora, and Olea europaea all showed strong antioxidant action, while Dioscorea villosa showed significant renal toxicity.  From: Wojcikowski, K., Wohlmuth, H., Johnson, D. W., Rolfe, M., & Gobe, G. (2009). An in vitro investigation of herbs traditionally used for kidney and urinary system disorders: potential therapeutic and toxic effects. Nephrology, 14(1), 70-79.

SKIN / WOUND

• In this review of human studies on herbs for wound healing, the following plants were discussed: Aloe vera, Salvia miltiorrhizia, Alchemilla vulgaris, Angelica sinensis, Origanum vulgare, Lavandula stoechas, Radix astragalis, Rehmanniae radix, Ageratina pichinchensis, Calendula officianalis, and Mimosa tenuiflora. From: Lordani, T. V. A., de Lara, C. E., Ferreira, F. B. P., de Souza Terron Monich, M., Mesquita da Silva, C., Lordani, F., … & Lonardoni, M. V. C. (2018). Therapeutic effects of medicinal plants on cutaneous wound healing in humans: A systematic review. Mediators of inflammation, 2018.

By: Kathy Sadowski

Updated: 6/17/2020