Meet Lovage, the herb that has been at the heart of love potions, culinary recipes and recovery regimens for a host of common ailments throughout history. There is much to explore in Lovage’s tangled roots, from its storied past to its modern-day usage.
Love pain
The word lovage comes from ‘love-ache’ – ‘ache’ is a medieval name for parsley, which comes from the same plant family as lovage. This speaks to the love affair with drinks that the ancient Romans believed would attract long-lasting love. According to folklore, the pungent aroma and bright green leaves (green is linked to the heart chakra) are said to induce feelings of romance. Lovage is also traditionally used as an aphrodisiac, as the herb has an affinity with reproductive health. While I can’t promise that this herb will make your love interest fall head over heels, its compound connection adds a touch of magic to its history.
Botany
lovage (Levisticum officinale) is a perineal herb that can grow up to 3 meters tall. It grows best in meadows and fields and blooms in umbrella-shaped clusters of bright, yellow flowers. It belongs to the Apiaceae family, which also includes parsley, celery and dill. Lovage has a taste similar to celery, with a hint of anise, making it not only medicinal, but also a great spice for culinary dishes. The leaves and seeds are aromatic and are used as a spice and in tea. The roots have many medicinal properties and are now commonly used in herbal medicine, often in tincture form.
Lovage to save the day!
Lovage is especially honorable for its ability to support many different systems in the body. The root is nutritious and restorative. It revitalizes the detoxification organs, supports urinary tract health and helps activate the immune and lymphatic systems. It is especially useful in the cold season, as it helps expel mucus from the respiratory tract. WishGarden chose to use this herb as an analog for Osha when we decided to reduce the amount of Osha in our formulas for sustainability reasons. Osha is a powerful respiratory herb, but lovage saved the day by making our Kick-Ass Immune just as, if not more effective and reliable!
Lovage is not just an herb; it is a green ambassador of love, history and taste. From ancient potions to contemporary formulas, the herb has left its mark on our hearts and taste buds and is still heavily relied upon in modern holistic healthcare.
[[ recipeID=recipe-8lohjs4ys, title=Lovage and Potato Soup ]]
To enjoy!
Rebecca Younger is passionate about herbs and women’s health. She strives to plant seeds of inspiration within her community about plant medicine and healthier ways of living. She studied herbal medicine at Herbalism Roots in Denver and is a certified Doula through the Matrona Foundation. She is the customer journey leader at WishGarden Herbs.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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