Lovage

Scientific Names

Ligusticum levisticum L.
Umbelliferae
Umbel family

Common Names

European lovage
Lavose
Sea parsley
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture

The short, thick rootstock produces a round, hollow stem 3 to 6 feet high and branched near the top. The leaves vary from long-petioled and decompound, with incised, ovate leaflets, to sessite and simple near the top. The small, pale yellow flowers grow in compound umbels from June to August. The whole plant has a strong, aromatic odor.
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Where Found

Found wild in southern Europe and Asia Minor but widely cultivated all over the continent.
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Medicinal Properties

Carminative, emmenagogue (starts flow of menstruation), diuretic, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic, tonic
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Biochemical Information

Essential oil with phthalidene, terpineol, carvacrol, isoveleric acid, coumarin, angelic acid, malic and benzoic acid, resin, starch, and sugar.
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Legends, Myths and Stories

The roots of lovage add an aged-like essence to cordials, gin and bitters when properly used.

The old timers say that lovage is rubbed over the bait, any kind of fish bait, that as long as there are fish within yards of the hook, you will be pulling them in.
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Uses

Used to treat fluid retention, bloating, gastric catarrh, stimulates appetite, and flatulence; also may be used to promote perspiration and counteract colds and flu.

Lovage is most used for its diuretic properties in cases of water retention and urinary difficulties. Skin problems will sometimes respond to a decoction added to bath water. Dropped into the eyes, it will take away the redness or dimness of them; also takes away freckles or age spots, and boils.
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Formulas or Dosages

Rootstock can be used fresh or dried.

Infusion: 1 tsp. fresh or dried root to 1 cup water. Take 1 or 1 1/2 cups per day.

Decoction: boil 1 1/2 to 2 oz. rootstock in 4 to 6 qt. water for use as bath additive.
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Warning

In excessive doses, lovage can cause kidney damage; this herb should not be used by those with kidney problems. Lovage promotes the onset of menstruation and should not be used by pregnant women.
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Bibliography

Old Ways Rediscovered, by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, published from 1954, print 1988

Culpeper's Complete Herbal & English Physician, by Nicholas Culpeper, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1990, (reprint of 1814)

The Nature Doctor, by Dr. H.C.A. Vogel; Keats Publishing, Inc., 27 Pine Street (Box 876) New Canaan, CT. 06840-0876. Copyright Verlag A. Vogel, Teufen (AR) Switzerland 1952, 1991

Herbal Gardening, compiled by The Robison York State Herb Garden, Cornell Plantations, Matthaei Botanical Gardens of the University of Michigan, University of California Botanical Garden, Berkeley., Pantheon Books, Knopf Publishing Group, New York, 1994, first edition

American Folk Medicine, by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1973

Webster's New World Dictionary, Third College Edition, Victoria Neufeldt, Editor in Chief, New World Dictionaries: A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023, 1984

The Rodale Herb Book, edited by William H. Hylton, Rodale Press, Inc. Emmaus, PA, 18049., 1974