DESCRIPTION:
Angelica dahurica root is a plant/plant extract used in some OTC (over-the-counter) products.
Angelica Dahurica Root Extract is not an approved drug.
SYNONYMS OF ANGELICA DAHURICA ROOT EXTRACT:
Angelica dahurica root,Angelica Dahurica Root Dry Extract,Angelica Dahurica Root Extract,Angelica Dahurica Root Powder,Angelicae Dahuricae Radix,Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Angelica Dahurica),Bai Zhi,Baizhi (Angelica Dahurica),Dahurian Angelica Root,Dahurian Angelica Ro
Angelica is a genus of plants and herbs that’s often used in traditional medicine, particularly in Asian countries.
The roots of many species of Angelica are used to make herbal medicines.
However, angelica root typically refers to the species Angelica archangelica (A. archangelica).
It may also refer to Angelica sinensis (A. sinensis).
The roots and other parts of both of these plants have a long history of use in traditional and herbal medicine, although A. sinensis has been more thoroughly researched.
A. sinensis is used in traditional Chinese medicine for various purposes, including hormonal balance, digestive support, and liver detoxification.
On the other hand, A. archangelica is traditionally used in European countries for digestive problems, circulation issues, and anxiety.
Still, there’s little scientific evidence to support many of these uses for either type.
This article reviews what angelica root is, the differences between A. archangelica and A. sinensis, how they’re used, their benefits and downsides, and typical dosage.
Plants in the Angelica genus grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) tall and have globe-like clusters of green or yellow flowers that blossom into small yellow fruits.
They also tend to have a strong, unique smell due to the aromatic compounds they contain.
The scent is often described as musky, earthy, or herbaceous (1Trusted Source).
A. sinensis is known by a variety of names, including dong quai and female ginseng.
It’s native to China and other countries in East Asia, where it’s used primarily in traditional medicine to treat female hormonal issues.
On the other hand, A. archangelica is commonly known as wild celery or Norwegian angelica.
This type grows mainly in European countries, where it’s used in certain culinary applications or as an herbal medicine.
Although the name angelica root implies that just the root is used, most A. archangelica supplements and herbal medicine products contain the root, seeds, fruits, and/or flowers of the plant. A. sinensis products are typically only made with the root of the plant.
HOW ANGELICA DAHURICA ROOT EXTRACT IS USED
Angelica root, particularly A. archangelica, has some culinary uses.
It’s sometimes used in the production of gin and other spirits, and the leaves can be candied to use as a garnish or decoration.
However, it’s primarily used as an herbal remedy.
Angelica Dahurica Root Extract has a long history of use as a traditional medicine in Europe and Russia, where it grows wild.
Similarly, A. sinensis root is used in traditional Chinese medicine, primarily for women’s health purposes
BENEFITS OF ANGELICA DAHURICA ROOT EXTRACT:
Overall, there’s very little scientific evidence regarding the benefits of angelica root — neither A. sinensis nor A. archangelica.
A. sinensis benefits
It’s thought that most of the potential benefits of A. sinensis come from ligustilide, a powerful compound that comprises approximately 1% of the plant and provides much of its strong fragrance (1Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source, 4Trusted Source).
Anticancer properties
In animal and test-tube studies, A. sinensis extract kills glioblastoma cells, which is a form of aggressive brain cancer (5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source).
However, this does not mean that taking an angelica root supplement can kill brain cancer in humans.
In fact, this is unlikely, and much more research in humans is needed before A. sinensis can be considered a potential cancer treatment.
Although these findings are a promising starting point for future research, you should follow the advice of your healthcare team if you have cancer.
Wound healing
A. sinensis may promote wound healing by encouraging angiogenesis, or the creation of new blood vessels (7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source).
There’s also some early evidence that it can specifically promote the healing of diabetic foot wounds.
These can be more severe and slower to heal than other wounds due to the blood vessel and tissue damage that high blood sugar levels cause (9Trusted Source).
Relief of menopausal hot flashes
One of the most common uses of A. sinensis, especially in traditional Chinese medicine, is the management of menopausal symptoms and other female hormonal issues (10Trusted Source).
Complementary therapies are also growing in popularity, as more people seek out natural options for menopause symptoms like hot flashes or night sweats (11Trusted Source).
Some evidence suggests that decreasing levels of serotonin in the body can contribute to menopausal hot flashes, and angelica root may help maintain or increase circulating levels of serotonin — thereby reducing the severity and frequency of hot flashes (12Trusted Source).
Still, there’s very little high quality evidence to support the use of A. sinensis for menopause symptoms, nor any long-term evidence of its safety in menopausal women (13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source).
Arthritis relief
A. sinensis may provide protection against both osteoarthritis, or joint “wear and tear,” as well as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an inflammatory, autoimmune condition of the joints.
Supplementing with A. sinensis may decrease inflammation, prevent further joint damage, and promote cartilage repair in osteoarthritis (15Trusted Source).
Regarding RA, A. sinensis may decrease the inflammatory response, reducing pain and improving some of its other symptoms (16Trusted Source).
However, these studies were conducted in test-tube and animal models, so more research is needed.
A. archangelica benefits
A. archangelica may also offer some benefits, but little research has been done on this herb. Additionally, most of the existing research was conducted in test-tube and animal studies, which can only serve as promising starting points for future human studies.
Anticancer properties
In test-tube and animal studies, A. archangelica — like A. sinensis — shows some promising anticancer and anti-tumor effects.
For example, it has been found to kill breast cancer cells in test tubes and inhibit tumor growth in mice.
It may have similar effects on cervical cancer, larynx cancer, and rhabdomyosarcoma cells (17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source, 19Trusted Source).
These effects are thought to come from angelicin and imperatorin, two powerful phytochemicals found in A. archangelica (17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source, 19Trusted Source).
However, this research is insufficient to prove that A. archangelica can provide anticancer or anti-tumor benefits in humans.
You should follow the treatment plan recommended by your healthcare team if you have cancer.
Antimicrobial effects
A. archangelica may also kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
In test-tube studies, A. archangelica essential oil can kill disease-causing bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (20Trusted Source).
A. archangelica extract and some isolated compounds from it, including imperatorin, also exhibit antiviral activity against the herpes simplex (cold sore) virus and coxsackievirus, which causes digestive illness (21Trusted Source).
A. archangelica essential oil also shows promise as a potential food-safe preservative to inhibit mold growth, as it can kill mold that grows on walnuts (22Trusted Source).
Anti-anxiety effects
Finally, there’s some compelling evidence from animal studies that A. archangelica may help reduce anxiety.
Three rat studies noted that A. archangelica extract induced relaxation and decreased anxious behaviors in the animals (23Trusted Source, 24Trusted Source, 25Trusted Source).
However, these studies haven’t been replicated in humans, so it’s difficult to know whether it’d exert the same effects in people. Human studies are needed.
A. sinensis offers potential benefits for wound healing, menopause, and arthritis. A. archangelica may provide anti-anxiety and antimicrobial benefits.
Both types can kill certain cancer cells in test-tube studies, but more research in humans is needed.
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT ANGELICA DAHURICA ROOT EXTRACT
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product.