I just had to share this beautiful photograph of Angelica archangelica that I took recently. The structure of this plant never ceases to amaze and inspire me. Strong and sturdy, standing proudly 5 – 6 feet high, she dominates any garden and holds her own in the wild. I was inspired by a fellow herbalist to photograph her this way – showing her globes within globes against the blue sky.
Any plant deserving of such a lofty name must have been very much respected in our herbal traditions. There is indeed a legend that the Archangel Raphael appeared to a monk in a dream and told him to use Angelica to cure the bubonic plague. Records also state that this plant was thought to protect against poison, disease and, of course, the ubiquitous witch…
In fact, if a woman grew Angelica archangelica in her garden, it was seen as proof that she was not a witch…
Today, I still use this herb in my clinic as it has many potent uses, mostly to support the body to throw off a chest infection and improve the appetite.
I have not, to date, been able to grow it in my garden…