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[Norwegian angelica / Fjällkvanne (S) / Angelica archangelica] The story tells that during the Black Plague in medieval Europe, a monk in a Swedish monastery had a dream. In this dream, an archangel came to him and said that the Norwegian angelica wards off all evil, and that he should use it to cure the plague. It is one of the few medicinal plants that originates from Scandinavia and was exported to continental Europe, mainly during the Middle Ages when the dried and pulverized roots of the angelica were believed to cure the plague. It was also believed to protect against other, more supernatural evils. It grows wild in many parts of Scandinavia, and is still used to flavor some foods and alcoholic drinks.
Photo: Norwegian angelica in the herb garden in Bergianska trädgården, June 2016. Posted on Instagram July 4, 2020.
Katja Malmborg 