Angelica Root is a heavenly scented essential oil!
MS in Aromatherapy, Registered Aromatherapist, LMT, Professional AIA and NAHA Member
Angelica Root essential oil has an unusual heavenly scented aroma!
Also known as the “oil of angels,” the plant blooms each year on the celebrated day of St. Michael’s feast. Historically, it is said that St. Michael appeared in a dream telling a monk that the plant could help in cleansing away the horrific bubonic plague sweeping across Europe in 1665 (1).
Modern scientific research has demonstrated significant antimicrobial activities of angelica root essential oil and extracts (2,3,4). It has been effective in vitro against a variety of pathogens.
Angelica is said to have gotten its name from the Greek word ‘arkhangelos,’ and the myth that the Angel Gabriel told mankind of its medicinal benefits (1). Angelica has been used through history to purify the air and ward off evil spirits.
It opens with a top note of citrus and is held strong with a musky and earthy scent.
Angelica Root and Mood
Angelica root may also help improve mood. In vivo scientific studies have shown the essential oil to reduce anxiety and improve social interactions (5,6,7). Its aroma may even help reduce nicotine cravings in smokers. In a small study with 20 adult smokers, two minutes of an aroma blend of black pepper and Angelica essential oils reduced cravings (8).
Making Angelica Root Essential Oil Blends
Here are a few heavenly scented blends to try in a cool mist diffuser. First make the blend by adding equal parts of each in a small amber bottle. Then, add 1 drop of essential oil blend for each ounce of water in a diffuser.
Calming Blend:
- Angelica essential oil
- Lavender essential oil
- Cedarwood essential oil
Breathe Deeply Blend:
- Angelica essential oil
- Eucalyptus essential oil
- Peppermint essential oil
Air Purifying Blend:
- Angelica essential oil
- Rosemary essential oil
- Lemon essential oil
Help Cut Cravings Blend:
- Angelica essential oil
- Black pepper essential oil
- Lavender essential oil
Enjoy these blends (added to water) in a cool mist diffuser. Notice how the aroma penetrates into your conscience to melt away anxiety. Take in deep breathes and feel your airways open.
Use cool mist diffusers for 20-minute increments. Avoid around pregnant and breast-feeding mothers, young children, pets, and those with certain medical conditions.
“Breathing dreams like air”
-F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
References
- 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. Link: http://www.ijnpnd.com/article.asp?issn=2231-0738;year=2011;volume=1;issue=1;spage=36;epage=50;aulast=Bhat
- 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. Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1934578X1701200216
- 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. Link: https://www.vdu.lt/cris/handle/20.500.12259/57392
- 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. Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24788027
- 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. Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091305704002746
- 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. Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091305705002091
- 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. Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0254627213600497
- 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. Link: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2012.0537
Additional Reference
Tisserand, R., & Young, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety. Second Eddition. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
For more research about Angelica root, please visit: https://www.earthtokathy.com/angelica-angelica-archangelica-research/
The information at this page is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. With medical conditions, consult a Doctor before using herbs and essential oils.
