This month I have chosen Angelica as edible plant of the month because it’s really beautiful at this time of year and has so many uses!
Angelica also known as Ashitaba and the botanical name of Angelica archangelica is in the Apiaceae family. Also in this family is celery and I point this out as Angelica is sometimes referred to as wild celery.
Benefits of Eating Angelica
All parts of the plant are edible. Stems can be eaten raw in salads or prepared in the same way you use celery or asparagus in stews or stir-fry’s. The leaves are edible too but can be quite bitter, we dry them and use them in herbal teas and the health benefits are amazing. Some of the benefits are treating heartburn, respiratory issues, runny nose, benefits sleeping and reduces nervousness.
The roots are traditionally used in Chinese medicine were they are dried and ground up.
Attracts Beneficial Bugs
The other great thing about having Angelica in the garden is they attract the beneficial bugs into the garden. Ours is absolutely covered in bees at the moment and the hoverflies love them too. As we are an organic garden it’s important to us we have the diversity of good bugs to keep the pests down and bring the pollinators in. Also due the strong tap root as they self-seed around the garden they help break up the soil.
A true biannual the first year there is lots of leafy lush growth followed by umbel flower heads the next year. They are prolific in seeds that you can collect or just let them sow themselves around the garden as we do.
If looking for a low maintenance useful plant that is edible and really food for you Angelica is a great plant in the garden.
