Herbology: Angelica

Angelica archangelica

Family

Umbelliferae

Parts Used

Roots, seeds, leaves and stems

Properties

Carminative, stimulant, emmenagogue, diaphoretic, expectorant

Background and Description

Angelica has been used for centuries as a favorite herbal remedy for all sorts of problems, from plague, to warding off evil spirits, to indigestion.  It is used as a flavoring, especially in Europe, and combines well with Juniper.

It works by increasing the flow of blood to the pelvis and causes uterine contractions.

Angelica is most often used by midwives to help the uterus expel the placenta after birth, when needed, and sometimes to help prolonged or delayed labor to progress. 

Uses

Angelica has been used to treat gout, indigestion and gas, menstrual irregularities, alcohol addiction, coughs and colds.

also, lengths of angelica stalk can be cut short, stuck in the ground, and used as earwig traps in the garden. 

Preparation and Dosing

3-9 grams tea infusion, or 10-30 drops tincture

for amenorrhea or dysmenorrhea combine 2 parts angelica with 1 part each false unicorn root, cramp bark, blue cohosh, and wild ginger take 3x daily 

(Tierra)

Notes/Cautions

i am not a doctor, and I am not licensed to diagnose or prescribe. this post is for informational purposes only. Please research for yourself and consult with a professional before use.

Because of its emmenogogic properties, angelica should be avoided during pregnancy and should be avoided by diabetics as it has a tendency to increase blood sugar.  Do not use for long periods of time.  When wild harvesting, do not confuse with poison hemlock, which is DEADLY.

Sources

The Way of Herbs, by Michael Tierra

Herbal Healing for Women, by Rosemary Gladstar

Picture: http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Angelica+archangelica

Midwife Monday: Patty Sessions

My first tribute to midwife heros celebrates Mormon pioneer Patty Sessions.

"We bade our children and friends good bye and started for the west. I knitted almost a mitten for Mr Sessions while he went back to get some things we left". 

Patty was born in maine in 1795 and married David Sessions in 1812.  They were farmers, and they had 8 children together.

She delivered her first baby around 1812, by accident (she was an assistant to her mother in law), and was told by the obstetrician who arrived later that she was a natural and would be successful if she “continued in the business”

She was baptized along with her husband in 1834, when she was 26.  She was called to go with the original mormon pioneer company heading West and arrived in SLC in 1947 when she was 52.

Her journals are accurate and important historical records for the young church.  She kept them meticulously every day for 20 years, and recorded almost 4000 births, 248 of these were within the first year she lived in SLC.  

On top of that, every day of her life was filled with hard work and service to others.  Her entries were full of trips to attend women at all hours, bringing food to sick neighbors, knitting, planting, harvesting, and visiting. 

An excerpt from Patty's journal shows some her remedies, and the range of illnesses she was called on to treat, as well as her midwifery duties.

salve for old sores: Bark of indigo weed boiled down, beeswax, mutton tallow, and a very little rosin

Jaundice:  Take one tablespoon of castile soap shavings, mixed with sugar, for three mornings, then miss three and continue until it has been taken 9 days, a sure cure

Bowel Complaint: take one teaspoonful rhubarb, one fourth carbonate of soda, one tablespoon brandy, one teaspoon peppermint essence,  half teacupful warm water, take tablespoonful once an hour until it operates

Vomiting: 6 drops laudanum, the size of a pea of soda, two teaspoons peppermint essence, 4 cups of water; take a tablespoonful at a time until it stops.  If the first does don’t repeat it

Heartburn: laudanum, carbonate soda, ammonia, sweet oil, camphor. Also for milk leg infection and sweating

for more information on Patty Sessions:
https://byustudies.byu.edu/showtitle.aspx?title=6621