Angels-ANGELICA

Angelica, Angelica archangelica, is the herb of the angels. A member of
the parsley family, it grows to six feet and has greenish white flowers
that grow in large umbrellalike clusters. It is a biennial, a type of plant
that completes its life cycle in two years, but its life can be prolonged
by cutting the flowers before the buds open. Angelica is native to
northern Europe and Asia. Some say it got its name because it blooms
in the spring, in time for Michaelmas (the festival in honor of the
archangel Michael), which was originally held on May 8. Others say it was named after the Russian port of Archangel by botanist John
Tradescant.
One legend regarding angelica says that in 1665, a community of
monks, whose members were dying of the plague, was saved when one
of the monks had a dream in which an angel told them to eat angelica.
As soon as they chewed the plant they were cured.
Historically angelica had many uses as an herbal remedy. In rural
parts of northern Europe the locals chewed angelica seeds to ward off disease.
Angelica was also taken to treat rabies, pleurisy, coughs, and gastritis.
The juice was even poured into the ear as a cure for deafness. Some
herbalists still use angelica for stomach and intestinal disturbances.
Today angelica seeds are essential ingredients in Benedictine, a
French liqueur originally made by Benedictine monks, and chartreuse,
an aromatic liqueur made by the Carthusian monks in Grenoble,
France and Tarragona, Spain.
In times past, angelica was used to ward off evil. The juice from
angelica roots was taken to ensure a long life and to protect against
witches. According to Gerard’s Herbal, published in England in 1597,
angelica was used to counter evil spells and charms, and was in
demand as an amulet.
Angelica candy was also popular and can still be found in some
gourmet shops. It is made by peeling angelica stalks and cutting them
into short lengths, then simmering them until tender. Finally, the
pieces are simmered in a rich sugar or honey syrup until crystallized.