Common Name
Standardized: lovage , Other: American lovage, Osha Root
Botanical Name
Levisticum officinale W. Koch Plant Family: Apiaceae
Introduction
Lovage is a flowering plant in the same family as carrots, parsley, and dill. Its dark green leaves resemble cilantro, while the stalks resemble celery. The herb is sweeter but stronger than celery. Brought from Europe as both a food and as a medicinal, it now grows wild in the United States in New England, the Great Lakes states, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. For centuries, it has been thought of as a good ingredient to add to love potions. During the 1800's a cordial made from lovage, tansy, and yarrow was widely available as a folk remedy for an upset stomach. Charlemagne was said to have liked the sight of lovage so much so that he had the grounds of his estate populated with it.
Constituents
Quercetin. The root also contains 1,8-cineole, camphor, coumarins, eugenol, limonene, and methol.
Parts Used
The entire plant is medicinal, but typically the roots and the leaves are used in herbal medicine.
Typical Preparations
Teas, tinctures, encapsulations. Also eaten fresh as a vegetable. The dried leaf may be sprinkled on food or added to soup stock.
Medicinal Action and Uses---Formerly Lovage was used for a variety of culinary purposes, but now its use is restricted almost wholly to confectionery, the young stems being treated like those of Angelica, to which, however, it is inferior, as its stems are not so stout nor so succulent.
A herbal tea is made of the leaves, when previously dried, the decoction having a very agreeable odour.
The roots and fruit are aromatic and stimulant, and have diuretic and carminative action.
In herbal medicine they are used in disorders of the stomach and feverish attacks, especially for cases of colic and flatulence in children, its qualities being similar to those of Angelica in expelling flatulence, exciting perspiration and opening obstructions. The leaves eaten as salad, or infused dry as a tea, used to be accounted a good emmenagogue. An infusion of the root was recommended by old writers for gravel, jaundice and urinary troubles, and the cordial, sudorific nature of the roots and seeds caused their use to be extolled in 'pestilential disorders.'
Precautions
Specific: Not for use in pregnancy except under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner.
General: We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
