Dahurian Angelica Plant

Dahurian Angelica Plant brings the long herbal story of Bai Zhi into the garden, pairing aromatic roots with statuesque summer flowers.

Officially named Angelica dahurica, this imposing perennial has grown in northern China for centuries. Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine call its dried root Bai Zhi and use it internally and externally for headaches, discomfort, and infected wounds.

Many names refer to the plant: Dahurian Angelica, Dahurican Angelica, Fragrant Angelica, Chinese Angelica, Bai Zhi, Baizhi, Japanese Yoroi-gusa, Korean Guritdae or Gurisdae, Dahurian Angelica Root, Chinese Angelica Root, and Radix Angelicae Dahuricae. The last three names describe the harvested root, not the living plant.

This frost-resistant perennial grows to about 2 metres and produces bold, divided foliage with tall, branching stems. In summer, broad umbels carry small white flowers that create an airy canopy above the herb garden.

Choose a protected, sunny spot with moist, fertile, well-drained soil. The plant needs consistent moisture because it does not tolerate drought. Provide shelter to protect its flowering stems from strong winds. Place it in the middle or rear of a garden bed so its flowers rise above lower herbs.

Bai Zhi root has a long record of traditional use. Researchers have studied its compounds for analgesic, antipyretic, and antibacterial activity. Recent studies have also examined its constituents in relation to metabolic health and obesity linked to diabetes. Scientists continue to explore these areas. However, this information does not provide directions for self-treatment.

For collectors of significant Asian herbs, pair this species with our Ashitaba Plant, another member of the Angelica genus, or grow it alongside the Astragalus Plant. Its architectural form and white summer umbels also make it a memorable ornamental specimen.