Common Name:

General Information

Angelica decursiva is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing unbranched stems 1 - 2 metres tall from a strongly aromatic rootstock[, ].
The plant is commonly harvested from the wild for use as a medicine and sometimes also as a food. The roots are often traded, and the leaves are sometimes sold in local food markets[]. The roots are used in the important traditional Chinese medicine 'qian hu'[].

Known Hazards

All members of this genus contain furocoumarins, which increase skin sensitivity to sunlight and may cause dermatitis[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Habitat

Grassy places in woods in lowland and hills, C. and S. Japan[]. Damp soils in China[]. Forest margins, shrubby thickets, slopes, streamsides; at elevations from 200 - 800 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus generally grow best in a deep moist fertile soil in dappled shade or full sun[].
Plants are reliably perennial if they are prevented from setting seed[].

Edible Uses

Leaves and shoots - cooked[, ]. The leaves are boiled and then eaten with oil and salt. A fragrant aroma[]. Used as 'namul' in Korea - this is a cooked side dish prepared by steaming or blanching the vegetables, placing them in small serving bowls with sesame oil seasoning and serving them at room temperature[].

Medicinal

The roots are used in the important traditional Chinese medicine 'qian hu'. It is particularly valued in the treatment of colds, coughs, and fevers[]
The root is analgesic, antiarthritic, antipyretic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitussive, carminative, expectorant, lenitive, stimulant, stomachic and tonic[, , ]. It is used in the treatment of coughs with thick phlegm, asthma and upper respiratory tract infections[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe since the seed only has a short viability[]. Seed can also be sown in the spring, though germination rates will be lower. It requires light for germination[]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in the spring.
The seed can also be sow in situ as soon as it is ripe.