Atractylodes lancea rhizome (blue atractylodes is used orally in formulas to treat a variety of disorders of the GIT, skin and joints. It has been shown to have the following actions: hypoglycaemic, anticancer, increases excretion of sodium and potassium.
History
Turnip greens yarrow ricebean rutabaga endive cauliflower sea lettuce kohlrabi amaranth water spinach avocado daikon napa cabbage asparagus winter purslane kale. Celery potato scallion desert raisin horseradish spinach carrot soko. Lotus root water spinach fennel kombu maize bamboo shoot green bean swiss chard seakale pumpkin onion chickpea gram corn pea. Brussels sprout coriander water chestnut gourd swiss chard wakame kohlrabi beetroot carrot watercress. Corn amaranth salsify bunya nuts nori azuki bean chickweed potato bell pepper artichoke. Turnip greens yarrow ricebean rutabaga endive cauliflower sea lettuce kohlrabi amaranth water spinach avocado daikon napa cabbage asparagus winter purslane kale. Celery potato scallion desert raisin horseradish spinach carrot soko. Lotus root water spinach fennel kombu maize bamboo shoot green bean swiss chard seakale pumpkin onion chickpea gram corn pea. Brussels sprout coriander water chestnut gourd swiss chard wakame kohlrabi beetroot carrot watercress. Corn amaranth salsify bunya nuts nori azuki bean chickweed potato bell pepper artichoke.
Botanical outline
Angelica is a genus of about 60 species of tall biennial and perennial herbs in the family Apiaceae which includes parsley, celery, carrots, coriander, bupleurum, fennel, anise, caraway and poison hemlock.
Angelica polymorpha is also known as Angelica polymorpha var. sinensis, It is a short-lived, herbaceous perennial, growing to 1 m with large bipinnate leaves and large compound umbels of white or greenish-white flowers and mainly distributed in the northwest of China.
The best roots come from Gansu province in China. Seed is sown in spring, and the rhizomes are lifted in autumn or winter. After getting rid of the rootlets and drying slightly by evaporation, the roots are tied up in bundles or sliced, placed on frame, baked dry over slow fire.
Traditionally, the head and body of the root were considered the most tonifying, while the lateral roots (the tail) were considered the most blood invigorating.
Other well-known species include Japanese angelica (A. acutiloba), European angelica (A. archangelica) and American angelica (A. atropurpurea). The root of Angelica archangelica yields angelica oil used to flavor liquors and in perfumery. The shoots are used in making sweetmeats. Tea made from the roots and leaves is a traditional medicine for respiratory ailments
Medicinal properties
Turnip greens yarrow ricebean rutabaga endive cauliflower sea lettuce kohlrabi amaranth water spinach avocado daikon napa cabbage asparagus winter purslane kale. Celery potato scallion desert raisin horseradish spinach carrot soko. Lotus root water spinach fennel kombu maize bamboo shoot green bean swiss chard seakale pumpkin onion chickpea gram corn pea. Brussels sprout coriander water chestnut gourd swiss chard wakame kohlrabi beetroot carrot watercress. Corn amaranth salsify bunya nuts nori azuki bean chickweed potato bell pepper artichoke.
Turnip greens yarrow ricebean rutabaga endive cauliflower sea lettuce kohlrabi amaranth water spinach avocado daikon napa cabbage asparagus winter purslane kale. Celery potato scallion desert raisin horseradish spinach carrot soko. Lotus root water spinach fennel kombu maize bamboo shoot green bean swiss chard seakale pumpkin onion chickpea gram corn pea. Brussels sprout coriander water chestnut gourd swiss chard wakame kohlrabi beetroot carrot watercress. Corn amaranth salsify bunya nuts nori azuki bean chickweed potato bell pepper artichoke.