Your Cart is Empty
- Shop
- Therapist Discount
- About Us
- FAQ, Blog & Downloads
- Courses
- Saturday Club
- Free Blending Series
- Product Catalogue
- Contact Us
- 01455 251020
- Login
The word ‘Angelica’ derives from the fact that it normally flowers around the 8th of May, which is also St Michael the Archangel’s Day. For this reason, the beautifully delicate plant is often planted in monasteries and churches, referred to as ‘Angel Grass’, or the ‘Holy Spirit Root’.
Angelica Essential Oil is not commonly used often in aromatic practice. This may be because it is expensive, but apart from the cost, this oil is so useful for so many ailments, and is excellent for helping skin conditions.
Commonly known as Garden angelica, Wild celery, and Norwegian angelica, its botanical name is Angelica archangelica. How lovely! It sounds like an Angel of Mercy from the highest heavens – and it certainly can act that way in certain situations!
From the botanical family Apiaceae, Angelica Essential Oil is related to Aniseed Essential Oil, (Pimpinella anisum), Caraway Essential Oil (Carum carvi), Celery Essential Oil (Apium graveolens), Coriander Essential Oil (Coriandrum sativum), Fennel Essential Oil ((Foeniculum vulgare), and Parsley Essential Oil (Petroselinum crispum) as well as Carrot, Dill and Cumin Oils. The Apiaceae family is very important to aromatherapy because, as you can see, we use many oils from the family, and they can differ quite diversly one from another.
During its first year, Angelica grows only leaves, but during its second year its fluted stem can reach a height of 80 cm to 2.5 m. The former name of this family, Umbelliferae, refers to the greeny-white flowers grouped into large and globular umbels. Angelica grows only in damp soil, preferably near rivers or deposits of water, and flowers during July and August. Originating from Africa and now native to northern and eastern Europe as well as parts of Asia, the Angelica plant is a large, water-loving herb.
To obtain the essential oil, the roots, rhizomes and seeds of the plant are steam distilled, with only 4-8ml of essential oil being obtained from every kilo of plant material. Here are two clues as to why Angelica Essential Oil is expensive – firstly, the plant is uprooted and therefore cannot give more than one crop at a time, and secondly, the low yield of essential oil to plant material. The aroma of Angelica Essential Oil is earthy (as you would expect coming from the root as it does), herbaceous, sweet, spicy and peppery.
Angelica Essential Oil has been used for centuries thanks to its numerous health benefits. Traditionally used to strengthen the heart and stimulate the circulation and the immune system, and to increase the appetite and promote fertility! Interesting, because Angelica Essential Oil could still be used today to help regulate menstrual regularity and flow, and is instrumental in helping anorexia.
As the Black Plague swept through Europe, Angelica Essential Oil was introduced by Royal Prescription as it was believed to be the antidote.
In Lapland, garlands of Angelica were gifted to poets in the hope that its intoxicating aroma would provide literary inspiration, and in China, Angelica Essential Oil is renowned for its ability to provide natural relief relating to women’s bodily processes, including menstruation and menopause.
The French use Angelica in the production of various liquors, including the famous Chartreuse. Angelica gives that aniseed flavour. And finally, centuries ago, Angelica Oil was believed to ward off evil spirits and the perils and threat of witchcraft – who would have known!
Angelica Essential Oil is antispasmodic, carminative, emmenagogic, expectorant, febrifuge, nervine, stimulant and tonic. It is used to treat congested skin, psoriasis, accumulation of toxins, gout, fluid retention and bronchitis. It is also used for anorexia, flatulence, nervous tension and stress related conditions.
Here’s all you need to know about Angelica Essential Oil as a powerful remedy for your mind, body and skin.
When applied topically, it works to calm the epidermis and heal problems such as eczema and breakouts. Use in skin creams and in the bath to help calm and soothe skin irritations. I suggest using around 30 drops in 100ml lotion for daily use if you have psoriasis, eczema or urticaria.
Dull, lacklustre skin can leave you feeling less than yourself, but Angelica Essential Oil can be the perfect remedy to reignite your radiance. With its chemical properties from terpenes, alcohols, camphor and coumarins, that work to restore the microbial balance, skin will be left renewed and revitalised.
Use 10 drops in a night oil of 10ml safflower and 10ml rosehip oils and massage into the face and neck thoroughly. You will see a difference in the morning when you see you radiant reflection!
Angelica Essential Oil is a drying oil. When I studied with Dr Daniel Penoel, this idea of wet and dry essential oils was fascinating! It simply means that some oils dry up mucous or wetness in the body, and some stimulate it. It is good to know which is which, so please do come and study with us to find out.
Because Angelica Essential Oil dries the body, it is useful for wet ‘snotty’ colds and coughs that are caused by mucus dripping down the throat from the nasal passages. An easy way to get this benefit is to add a few drops to a bowl of steaming water. Place a towel around the back of your head and lean over the bowl, approximately 12 inches from the water, and breathe in the steam. The root oil is also helpful for sinus and viral infections, while the seed oil is helpful in fighting colds and fevers. Angelica Essential Oil is also wonderful for helping bronchitis and asthma, but don’t use the steam method as above for either of those conditions, use a vaporiser to give off the pure oil, or put a couple of drops in the palms of your hands, rub together, and covering the nose and mouth, breathe deeply several times. You may cough at first, but this is just the oil working on getting your system clear.
Angelica is a digestive, so is a good choice when digestive issues arise. It can be useful for relieving flatulence and indigestion. Add 3-5 drops of the oil into a teaspoon of carrier oil. Rub over the upper abdomen and chest for indigestion, or over the lower abdomen for flatulence.
Because Angelica is a drying essential oil, it is useful to help relieve the inflammation that arises from arthritis and gout. You can apply 4 drops undiluted to a big toe for gout, or dilute to make compresses for arthritic joints.
Angelica Oil is fortifying and strengthening and is good for general stress-related symptoms. Use in a vaporiser to benefit night and day. Because Angelica Oil is calming, not only is it good for anxiety and nervousness, but it can also help to give you a good nights sleep, especially if blended 50/50 with Lavender High Altitude Essential Oil (suggest one drop of each on the pillow).
Angelica Essential oils is a wonderful summer oil to help to sleep, help irritated skin, to relieve hay fever and asthma and to help keep you holiday-ready. You may like to try some of my recipes as below, and if you do, please do give us feedback on how they worked – we love hearing from you!
In a 10ml bottle with dropper and cap, blend the following oils:
Angelica Essential Oil 2ml
Hyssop Essential Oil 3ml
Lavandin Super Essential Oil 3ml
Eucalyptus Globulus Essential Oil 2ml
Use 4-8 drops in a vaporiser, or in the bath, or use 2 drops several times a day in the palms of the hands to inhale deeply.
In a 100ml bottle with cap, blend the following recipe to make a massage oil for the neck and shoulders before bedtime
96ml Sunflower Oil
1.5ml Angelica Essential Oil
1.5ml Lavender High Altitude Essential Oil
1ml Neroli Essential Oil
Apply sparingly over neck and shoulder area and massage well until the oiliness has been absorbed.
In a 100ml pump bottle, blend the following recipe
90ml Blending Lotion
7ml Rosehip Oil
1ml Angelica Essential Oil
1ml Chamomile Roman Essential Oil
1ml Sandalwood Essential Oil
Mix thoroughly and apply morning and night, or whenever the skin is itchy or red to help soothe and heal.
Be like the Chinese and use Angelica Essential Oil to relieve menopausal symptoms. The oil can help with heavy periods, painful periods, hot flushes and irritation. In a 50ml jar with lid, blend the recipe below
47ml Blending Cream Base
1ml Angelica Essential Oil
1ml Geranium Essential Oil
1ml German Chamomile Essential Oil
Apply every day to the abdomen and lower back.
I do hope you have enjoyed my blog on Angelica Essential Oil!. You will find other blogs in our blog section where you can be introduced to lots more unusual essential oils.
We love to hear from you so do give us feedback on the blog, recipes, and how they have worked for you or your clients - You can leave us a google review here. All the products mentioned are available from from our website or you can phone your order through or get advice on 01455 251020. If you are interested in training with us visit our website, call, or email our Academy Administrator Lizzie.
Thank you for reading! Penny Price.
