- Latin Name: Levisticum officinale
- Herb Class/Action: Lovage is classified as a carminative, diuretic, expectorant, and digestive tonic herb.
- Parts of Plant Used: The leaves, stems, seeds, and roots of the lovage plant are used for culinary and medicinal purposes.
- Flavors: Lovage has a strong, aromatic flavor reminiscent of celery, with savory and slightly bitter undertones.
- Energetics: Lovage is energetically warming and drying.
- Medicinal Properties:
- Digestive Support: Lovage is prized for its carminative and digestive tonic properties, which help relieve digestive discomfort, stimulate appetite, and improve digestion. It can be used to alleviate symptoms of indigestion, bloating, gas, and stomach cramps.
- Respiratory Health: Lovage acts as an expectorant to help loosen and expel mucus from the respiratory tract. It is used to relieve coughs, bronchitis, and congestion by facilitating easier breathing and clearing respiratory passages.
- Diuretic: Lovage has diuretic properties that increase urine production and promote the elimination of excess fluids and toxins from the body. It can help relieve water retention, bloating, and urinary tract infections.
- In the Garden: Lovage is a perennial herbaceous plant native to southern Europe and western Asia but cultivated in many regions for its culinary and medicinal uses. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Lovage produces tall, hollow stems with large, dark green leaves and clusters of small yellow flowers in the summer. It is often grown in herb gardens, vegetable gardens, and perennial borders.
- Culinary Uses: Lovage is commonly used as a culinary herb to add flavor and aroma to dishes. The leaves and stems can be used fresh or dried as a seasoning for soups, stews, sauces, salads, and vegetable dishes. Lovage seeds can be used as a spice or flavoring agent, similar to celery seeds, in pickles, bread, and savory dishes.
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