Chinese Angelica Dahurica Root Extract Oil for Massage

Uses of Angelica

Supplement use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian, pharmacist, or healthcare provider. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease. 

Strong scientific evidence supporting the use of Angelica is lacking. So far, much of the research on Angelica archangelica has been performed on animal models or in laboratory settings. As a whole, more human trials are needed on the potential benefits of Angelica.

The following is a look at what existing research says regarding the uses of Angelica.

Nocturia

Nocturia is a condition defined as the need to wake from sleep one or more times each night to urinate. Angelica has been studied for its use in relieving nocturia.

In one double-blind study, participants with nocturia who were assigned male at birth were randomized to receive either a placebo (an ineffective substance) or a product made from the Angelica archangelica leaf for eight weeks.4

The participants were asked to track in diaries when they urinated. The researchers evaluated the diaries both before and after the treatment period. By the end of the study, those who took Angelica reported fewer nocturnal voids (the need to get up in the middle of the night to urinate) than those who took the placebo, but the difference was not significant.4

Unfortunately, few other studies have been performed to determine whether Angelica can significantly improve nocturia. More research is needed in this area.

Cancer

While no supplement or herb can cure cancer, there is some interest in Angelica as a complementary treatment.

Researchers have studied Angelica's potential anticancer effects in a lab. In one such study, researchers tested Angelica archangelica extract on breast cancer cells. They found that Angelica may help cause breast cancer cell death, leading researchers to conclude that the herb may have antitumor potential.5

A much older study performed on mice found similar results.6 However, these results have not been duplicated in human trials. Without human trials, there is no evidence that Angelica can help kill human cancer cells.

Anxiety

Angelica has been used in traditional medicine as a treatment for anxiety. However, scientific evidence to support this claim is scarce.

As with other uses of Angelica, the research on its use in anxiety has mostly been performed in lab settings or on animal models.

In one study, Angelica extracts were given to rats before they had to perform stress tests. According to the researchers, rats performed better after receiving Angelica, making it a potential treatment for anxiety.7

Human trials and more vigorous research are required to determine Angelica's potential role in treating anxiety.