Lovage

Botanical: Ligusticum officinale
Family: Umbelliferae (carrot) - Apiaceae (parsley)

Other common names: Loveroot, Love Parsley, Wild Celery, Old English Lovage, Italian Lovage, Cornish Lovage, European Lovage, Lovose, Sea Parsley, Common Lovage, Cajoler's Weed, Maggi Plant, Smellage, Levisticum, Maggiwurzel, Sauerkrautwurz

Lovage has been used as an ornamental plant and as an herbal remedy for gravel, jaundice and urinary problems.  Lovage has also been used for indigestion, colic and flatulence.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Viable Herbal Solutions is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

History and Uses:
Lovage is a native of the Mediterranean region, growing wild in the mountainous districts of the south of France, in northern Greece and in the Balkans.  The Garden Lovage is one of the old English herbs that was formerly very generally cultivated as an ornamental plant and is still occasionally cultivated as a sweet herb and for the use in herbal medicine of its root, and to a lesser degree, the leaves and seeds.  It is also sometimes grown in gardens for its pleasant fragrance.  The name of the genus, Ligusticum, is thought to be derived from Liguria, where this species abounds.  The root, leaves and seeds are used for medicinal purposes. The young stems, treated like Angelica, can be used for flavoring and confectionery.  Lovage contains a volatile oil, angelic acid, which is a bitter extractive. The coloring principle has been isolated by M. Niklis, who gave it the name of ligulin, and suggested an important application may be made in the testing of drinking water.  If a drop of its alcoholic or aqueous solution is allowed to fall into distilled water, it imparts to the liquid its own fine crimson-red color, which undergoes no change; but if limestone water be substituted, the red color disappears in a few seconds and is followed by a beautiful blue, due to the alkalinity of the latter.  An herbal tea with a very agreeable fragrance can be made of the dried leaves of Lovage.  Lovage was much used as a drug plant in the fourteenth century, its medicinal reputation probably being greatly founded on its pleasing aromatic odor.  It was never an official remedy, nor were any extravagant claims made, as with Angelica, for its efficacy in numberless complaints.  The roots and fruit are aromatic and stimulant and are said to have diuretic and carminative actions.  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 have been eaten in salads or infused dry as a tea or decoction, which have been used as an emmenagogue or agent that promotes menstruation.  An infusion of the root was recommended by old herbal 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."

Recommended Dosage:
Take two (2) Capsules, one (1) to two (2) times each day with water at mealtimes.

Contraindications:
Pregnant and nursing women should not use Lovage, nor should those who have impaired or inflamed kidneys. Do not use if you have edema (swelling) as a result of kidney or heart disease. Excessive use (many times the recommended dosage) may cause kidney damage.

Capsule Information:
Our Lovage supplements are encapsulated in 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose, Certified Kosher, size "00" Capsules. (click here for size comparison) Each capsule contains approximately 600 mgs.