Chap. 016. Of Wild Angelica.

I. THE Names. It is called in the Greek, ’Αγγελιχη αγζια: in Latin, Angelica Sylvestris: and in English, Wild Angelica.

II. The Kind. It is the second Species of Angilica before enumerated in chap. 15. sect. 2. aforegoing: and of this there is a greater and lesser sort.

III. The Description. The greater sort. The Root of this is nothing so great as the former, neither are the strings so great or long, but it is of a blacker Color on the out side, of a pretty strong scent, But nothing near so Aromatick, as the Garden kind: From this Root rises up large spread Leaves on the Ground, having smaller Stalks, and lesser Divisions by much, of a dark green Color, and not smelling half so strong as the Garden kind, yet smelling so much like Angelica, that by the smell, one may easily see and know it, to be of the Kinds of Angelica, tho’ Wild: The Stalks are much slenderer and smaller, yet growing three or four foot high, with smaller Joynts and lesser Leaves thereat; at the tops grow Umbles of Flowers, but lesser also, and white, like the Garden kind, which turn into smaller Seed, and of a darker Color on the out-side. (Angelica sylvestris. -Henriette)

IV. The smaller sort, has a great thick Root, from whence rises up Leaves not much differing from the other, but only in being smaller and not so much divided; from whence arises one or more Stalks, lower than the former also, at the Joynts of which come forth Leaves not much unlike the Garden Angelica, except in the Magnitude, the Stalks also being reddish: at the top of these Stalks grow Umbles of white Flowers, yet lesser than the other, after which comes the Seed, which is thicker than the former, and something longer. (This one I don't know, unless it's just a smaller A. sylvestris. -Henriette)

V. The Places. These grow Wild in many places of this Kingdom, in Essex, Kent, and Middlesex, particularly at Kentish-town near London, and in other places.

VI. The Times. The Roots are in their Prime in February, March, and April; they Flower in July and August, and their Seed is ripe soon after.

VII. The Qualities. They are hot and dry in the second Degree. Are opening, inciding, attenuating, digestive, discuissive and sudorifick, and are appropriated to the Head, Stomach, Heart, Womb and Joynts: they are also Alexipharmick, Alterative and Vulnerary.

VIII. The Specification. They are peculiar Antidotes against Plague and Poyson, Specificks against the Gout, and singular Wound Herbs.

IX. The Preparations. The Shops keep nothing of them; but you may Prepare therefrom.
1. A liquid Juice.
2. An Inspissate Juice from the Root.
3. An Essence.
4. A Wine.
5. A Gargarism.
6. An Errhine.
7. A Decoction.
8. A Spirituous Tincture.
9. A Saline Tincture.
10. An Oily Tincture.
11. A Cataplasm.
12. A Balsam.
13. An Ointment.
14. A Cerote or Emplaster.

The Virtues.

X. As to the Virtues of these Wild Angelica’s, they are exactly the same with the Garden Kind, which we have largely delivered before, and we were the more willing to be explicite in the Garden kind, there, because we intended to say nothing of the Virtues here: For every Preparation of the Wild kinds has the same Intentions and Uses with those of the Garden, and therefore to them you are referred: Yet here is one thing to be taken notice of, viz. That tho the Virtues of both Garden and Wild kinds are one and the same, yet the Garden kind much exceeds the Wild in Strength and Vertue, and therefore is rather to be chosen (where it may be) before them. These are dryer than the Garden kind, and ought to be put into all Diet Drinks for Wounded Persons.

Botanologia, or The English Herbal, was written by William Salmon, M.D., in 1710.
This chapter has been proofread by Lisa Haller.