Lovage
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Botanical Name |
Levisticum officinale |
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Family |
Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) |
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Other Names |
Angelica levisticum, common lovage, Cornish lovage, garden lovage, Italian lovage, Italian parsley, Legusticum levisticum, love root, loving herbs, magi herb, sea parsley, smellage |
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Habitat |
Wet places, waste ground |
|
Description |
Herbaceous aromatic perennial. Maximum growing Height 2.1m/7ft Thick, fleshly grey root. Thick, hollow stems. Segmented leaves. Flowers June/-August umbels of green/yellow flowers Seeds: oblong, brown |
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Native to |
Mediterranean |
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Part Used |
Leaves, seeds, rhizome, roots |
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Cultivation |
Plant seeds early spring deep hummus well drained soil. Sun or partial shade |
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Preserving |
Dry or freeze leaves. Dry seeds and roots |
|
Actions |
Antimicrobial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, carminative, depurative, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, sedative, spasmolytic, stimulant, stomachic |
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Extraction |
Steam distillation Fresh roots Leaves and stalk |
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Constituents |
Volatile oil –phthalides (up to 70%), including E- and Z-butylidenephthalide, E- and Z- ligustilide, senkyunolide, isosenkyunolide, validene 4, 5 dihydrophthalide, butylphthalide. Terpenes –alpha pinene, beta pinene, alpha phellandrene, beta phellandrene, carvacrol Coumarins –bergaptenm coumarin, psoralen, umbelliferone Plant acids, beta sitosterol, resins, gums |
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Culinary Uses |
Vegetables soups, meat casseroles, stews |
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Circulatory, muscle joint |
Gout, oedema, poor circulation, rheumatism |
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Digestive |
Anaemia, flatulence, indigestion |
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Genito-urinary |
Amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, cystitis |
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Other Uses |
Soaps, cosmetics, perfumes, flavouring |
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Caution |
Do not use if pregnant or suffering kidney problems. Use with care |