Lovage

Botanical Names

Family Umbelliferae
Levisticum officinale syn. Ligusticum levisticum

Common Names

Lavose, Sea Parsley, Love parsley

Cautions

Do not take during pregnancy.
Do not use if there is kidney disease present.

Description

Indigenous to the Mediterranean region, lovage is a perennial related to parsley and celery. It is now found in southern Europe and southwestern Asia, growing to six feet in height and thriving in the wild on sunny slopes of mountains, particulary in the Balkans and northern Greece. It is also cultivated in many areas. Lovage has glossy toothed, compound leaves, greenish-yellow flowers, and tiny oval seeds. Its leaves resemble celery, and the greens have a celery-like flavour. The leaves are gathered in spring or early summer, the seeds in late summer, and the root in autumn.

History

The Irish herbalist, K'Eogh, described the herb in 1735, stating that it was good for the digestion and "provokes urination and menstruation, clears the sight, and removes spots, freckles and redness from the face".

The leaves and seeds have long been used to flavour many types of dishes, while the dried root is still used as a condiment.

Key Actions

analgesic
antispasmodic
antimicrobial
anticoagulant
digestive and respriatory tonic
diuretic
promotes menstruation
sedating

Key Components

volatile oil (about 70% phthalides)
coumarins (including bergapten, psoralen, and umbelliferone)
plant acids
beta-sitosterol
resins
gums

Medicinal Parts

Root, seeds, leaves
The phthalides are a sedative and anticoagulant.

Traditional Uses

It is a warming tonic herb for the digestive and respiratory systems. It treats poor appetite and colic, breaks up and expels gas, and soothes bronchitis.

Being a significant diuretic and antimicrobial, it is commonly taken for urinary tract infections.

It is taken to encourage menstruation and to relieve its pain.

It improves poor circulation.

Related species include: Scotch lovage (L. scotium), used chiefly regarded as food; the Chinese lovage called Chuan Xiong (L. chuanxiong), used mainly to bring on menstruation and to treat pain; and another Chinese variety also used for pain, Gao ben (L. sinense).