Meet Lovage, the herb that's been at the heart of love potions, culinary recipes and recovery regimens for a multitude of common ailments throughout history. There's much to explore in the tangled roots of Lovage from its storied past to its modern-day usage.
Love-ache
The word Lovage originates from "love-ache" – "ache" being a medieval name for Parsley, which comes from the same plant family as Lovage. This speaks to its love affair with potions believed to attract long-lasting love by ancient Romans. According to folklore tales, its pungent aroma and bright green leaves (green being connected to the heart chakra) was said to stir feelings of romance. Lovage has also been traditionally used as an aphrodisiac, as the herb has an affinity for reproductive health. Though I can't promise this herb will make your love interest fall head over heels, its connection to connections adds a touch of magic to its history.
Botany
Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is a perineal herb that can grow up to 10 ft tall. It grows best in meadows and fields and blooms umbrella like clusters of bright, yellow flowers. It belongs to the Apiaceae family, which also includes parsley, celery and dill. Lovage has a flavor similar to celery, with a hint of anise, making it not only medicinal but a great spice for culinary dishes. The leaves and seeds are aromatic and have been used as a spice and in teas. Its roots hold a lot of medicinal properties and are commonly used in herbal medicine today, often in tincture form.
Lovage to Save the Day!
Lovage is especially honorable given its ability to support many different systems within the body. The root is nutritive & restorative. It revitalizes detox organs, supports the health of the urinary tract, and helps to activate the immune and lymphatic system. It's especially helpful in cold season as it helps to expel mucus from the respiratory tract. WishGarden chose to use this herb as an analog for Osha when we decided to lower the amount of Osha used in our formulas for sustainability reasons. Osha is powerful respiratory herb, but Lovage saved the day making our Kick-Ass Immune just as, if not more, effective and reliable!
Lovage is not just an herb; it's a green ambassador of love, history and flavor. From potions of old to contemporary formulas, the herb has left a mark on our hearts and palates and is still very much relied on in modern holistic health.
[[ recipeID=recipe-8lohjs4ys, title=Lovage and Potato Soup ]]Enjoy!
Rebecca Younger is passionate about herbs and women's health. She aspires to plant seeds of inspiration within her community about plant medicine and healthier ways of life. She studied Herbal Medicine at Herbalism Roots in Denver and is a certified Doula through the Matrona Foundation. She is the customer journey lead 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 sell any product.
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