645. Angelica

Description and references

Tall, perennial, herbaceous plant, Angelica archangelica L., Umbelliferae. Habit. Europe, Asia. Medicinal parts are the seed, leaves and root. Constit. Root: Volatile oil (0.35-1.9%); more than 20 furanocoumarins including bergapten, angelicin, archangelicin, isoimperatorin, xanthotoxin; osthol, umbelliferone, flavonoids, sugars. Fruit: Volatile oil, furanocoumarins, fatty oil, phytosterols. Review of constituents and uses: V. E. Tyler, The Honest Herbal (Pharmaceutical Products Press, New York, 3rd Ed., 1993) pp 29-30; N. G. Bisset, M. Wichtl, Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals, English Ed. (CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1994) pp 70-72; J. Gruenwald et al., PDR for Herbal Medicines (Medical Economics, Montvale, 2nd Ed., 2000) pp 32-34.

Derivative

Angelica root oil.

Nomenclature

CAS number: 8015-64-3

Description and references

Volatile oil obtained by steam distillation of the dried slender roots. Constit. Chiefly β-phellandrene (13-28%), α-phellandrene (2-14%), α-pinene (14-31%).

Properties

Pale yellow to deep amber liquid with warm, pungent odor and bittersweet taste. d2525 0.850-0.880. nD20 1.473-1.487. Acid value not more than 7.0. Rotation: 0° to +46°. Sol in most fixed oils, slightly sol in mineral oil. Relatively insol in glycerin, propylene glycol. Keep well closed, cool, and protected from light.

Derivative

Angelica seed oil.

Description and references

Volatile oil obtained by steam distillation of the fresh seeds.

Properties

Light yellow liquid having a sweet, delicate aroma. d2525 0.853-0.876. nD20 1.480-1.488. Rotation: +4° to +16°. Acid value not more than 3.0. Keep well closed, cool, and protected from light.

Use

Flavoring for liqueurs and gin.

Therapeutic Category

Carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic.