Use the Herb Angelica to Improve your Health

Herbal remedies have been used for centuries as nature's pharmacy. A renewed interest in herbal therapy has occurred over the last few decades resulting in an increase in available information on medicinal herbs and herbs benefits. Herbal medicine is based on the ideal of holistic health and was perhaps the first preventative medicine regime as many herbs were taken as preventatives and to improve overall health. Many of the drugs prescribed today have their roots, so to speak, in herbal remedies. Digitalis for example came from the foxglove plant and was used for centuries to treat heart ailments before its properties were discovered and it became synthetically reproduced. Agelica is an aromatic herb with diuretic, stimulant, tonic and exspectorant properties as well as other uses. To discover how to use agelica to improve your health read on for tips on traditional uses.

Instructions
1. Make a herbal decoctation of angelica by boiling the roots or seeds and use for an herbal remedy for indigestion, gatritis and gas.

2. Make an herbal tea by steeping leaves of angelica to have after dinner as a digestion aid or just as a general tonic to build up the body and stimulate the appitite.

3. Add Angelica root to a hot bath to make an herbal remedy to releive the symptoms of rheumatism pain.

4. Steam the stem and root and eat like asparagus. Eat alone or add to soups and stews. Angelica adds a licorice like flavor to foods.

5. Be safe. Angelica is considered safe to use in small amounts as a herbal remedy with few side effects. However, any medicinal herb can cause allergic reaction and interact with medications you may already be taking. Caution should also be used when dealing with young children as they are much more dose sensitive due to their smaller size and standardization is difficult when dealing with fresh herbs. If buying in capsule form from the health food store follow the manufactures recommendations.

Tips & Warnings
Not to be taken during pregnacy, can cause contractions!
Angelica should not be wild harvested as water hemlock looks very similar and is quite dangerous.

Disclaimer
This article is meant to be informational and educational and not as medical advice. Always follow up with your doctor for concerns regarding your health. The FDA approves herbs as dietary supplements only.