Lovage (levisticum officinale)
Synopsis of lovage
Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is a tall, aromatic perennial herb native to Southern Europe and Western Asia, now naturalized in many temperate regions. All parts of the plant are edible and medicinal—particularly the leaves, seeds, and roots. Lovage has a flavor and aroma similar to celery, and its traditional uses span culinary seasoning and therapeutic applications.
In herbal medicine, lovage is best known as a diuretic, digestive aid, and respiratory herb. The root contains volatile oils (including ligustilide and phthalides), coumarins, and resins that contribute to its carminative (gas-relieving), expectorant, and antimicrobial effects. It has been used to stimulate appetite, relieve bloating, support urinary function, and promote healthy menstruation.
Modern herbalists still use lovage in formulas for fluid retention, urinary tract infections, gout, rheumatism, and digestive sluggishness. It is also sometimes included in herbal blends for mild bronchitis or respiratory congestion due to its aromatic expectorant qualities. Lovage seeds, similar to fennel or anise, are used for bloating and colic.
Historical Use:
Lovage has a long history in European herbal tradition, dating back to ancient Greece and Rome. Roman herbalist and naturalist Pliny the Elder mentioned lovage as a plant used for digestion and to “warm the stomach.” The Romans also used it in baths and infused oils to soothe aching muscles and joints.
In medieval European medicine, lovage was considered a “warming” and “drying” herb used to reduce excess moisture (phlegm, fluid retention) and stimulate elimination. It was prescribed for kidney stones, dropsy (edema), and as a menstrual regulator. The 17th-century English herbalist Nicholas Culpeper recommended it for wind (gas), colic, and “torment of the bowels.”
Lovage was commonly grown in monastery gardens and folk herbal gardens, where its leaves were added to soups, and its roots steeped into teas or tinctures for internal medicine. Its name has sometimes been linked to aphrodisiac uses ("love-ache"), though the origin of this connection may be more linguistic than pharmacological.
Culturally, lovage has also been used in cordials and tonics, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. In Polish and Czech folk medicine, for example, lovage root was steeped in alcohol to create bitters that promoted appetite and digestion.
Today, lovage is appreciated as both a culinary herb and a traditional remedy—offering support for digestion, fluid metabolism, and respiratory relief, with a legacy that spans thousands of years of European herbal practice.
Lovage is used for these health conditions
Abdominal Pain (Traditional)
Acid Indigestion (Traditional)
Appetite (deficient) (Traditional)
Belching (Traditional)
Bronchitis (Traditional)
Circulation (poor) (Traditional)
Colds (general) (Traditional)
Colds (prevention) (Traditional)
Congestion (bronchial) (Traditional)
Congestion (lungs) (Traditional)
Congestion (sinus) (Traditional)
Constipation (adults) (Traditional)
Cough (general) (Traditional)
Cough (spastic) (Traditional)
Diarrhea (Traditional)
Digestion (poor) (Traditional)
Edema (Traditional)
Fever (Traditional)
Gas and Bloating (Traditional)
Gastritis (Traditional)
Headache (general) (Traditional)
Indigestion (Traditional)
Inflammation (Traditional)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Traditional)
Jaundice (adults) (Traditional)
Liver Detoxification (Traditional)
Menstrual Irregularity (Traditional)
Nausea and Vomiting (Traditional)
Nephritis (Traditional)
Pain (general remedies for) (Traditional)
Phlebitis (Traditional)
Rashes and Hives (Traditional)
Rhinitis (Traditional)
Skin Care (general) (Traditional)
lovage is used to support these body systems
Bladder (Traditional)
Blood (Traditional)
Digestive System (Traditional)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Traditional)
Kidneys (Traditional)
Liver (Traditional)
Lungs (Traditional)
Urinary System (Traditional)
