- Region
- Europe
- Origin
- Southern Europe
- Other names
- Maggiplant
- Traditions
- Western herbal medicine
Europe · Herb · № 6
Levisticum officinale
Herb · Europe
Lovage
Levisticum officinale
The leaf tastes of stock and celery. In folk medicine the root was used as a diuretic and for bloating; research is lacking.
Safety notes
Verify botanical identity before use; a traditional application does not establish a treatment effect.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Western herbalism: Not in pregnancy.
Preparation
Use the leaves and stems as a seasoning or steep them as an infusion.
Use in traditions
Lovage comes from the Mediterranean and was prescribed for every garden by Charlemagne in his Capitulare de villis. In the Netherlands it is also called maggiplant, after its taste. In the Middle Ages the root was used for dropsy and digestive complaints.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Warming digestive tonic, carminative, induces sweating, expectorant, anticatarrhal.
Preparation and amount
Roots, seeds.
Western herbalism
Attributed effects
Stimulating; activates the lymphatic system and digestion, removes excess fluid (oedema, gout, arthritis, stones), warms the body in irregular menstruation and Raynaud's.
Preparation and amount
Decoction: 1–2 tbsp root per cup, 5 min covered, 1–3 cups a day; cold infusion: 4 tbsp leaf per litre, overnight, 1–3 cups a day; tincture 1–3 dropperfuls 1–3 times a day.
Caution: Not in pregnancy.
Home, kitchen and folk use
Preparation and amount
Edible flower.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)DecoctionTinctureSyrup, honey and oxymelPowder and kitchen