Common Name:

General Information

Angelica glauca is a herbaceous, perennial plant frowing 100 - 250cm tall from a thick, aromatic taproot[].
The plant is commonly harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and a food. It is traded for medicinal use in the name of Choru at a local and national level[].
Angelica glauca is harvested for its roots, which are used medicinally. During collection the whole plant is uprooted and individuals are disturbed by this unsustainable collection practice. It has been observed, as well as inferred, that this collection practice is continuing in the natural habitat. Loss of habitat due to various factors enhances the pace of population decline. The species has high market demand and the level of exploitation is high and unsustainable. It has been estimated that during the last 10 years a major part of the population has been fragmented and declined. The wild population has declined by around 70% over the last 10 years. It is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

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

Botanical References

Range

Asia - Afghanistan, southwest China, Pakistan, northwest India,

Habitat

Usually found amongst scrub on humus-rich soils; at elevations from 2,000 - 3,200 metres[]. Grows by ditches in Tibet[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Endangered
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Angelica glauca is found in an area od China where the hardyness zones range from 4 - 6.
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

The root is aromatic and is used as a food flavouring[].

Seeds and root stocks are used to add to the flavour of food[].

Medicinal

The root is used in the Ayurvedic and Tibetan systems of medicine[]

The powdered root, combined with milk, is used in the treatment of bronchitis and constipation[].

The plant is used as a cordial stimulant in the treatment of dyspepsia and constipation[].

Other Uses

The dried roots contain about 1.3% essential oil[].

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.