Lovage

Lovage

Lovage has an intense spicy, slightly lemon aroma and a sharp, slightly burning flavor. It is recommended for making soups, sauces, vegetable dishes and both cooked, baked or stewed dishes. Its intense, spicy aroma makes it a perfect match for rice dishes, as well as poultry and beef dishes. Lovage goes perfectly with parsley, rosemary, basil, pepper and dill, creating an aromatic spice mixture necessary in every kitchen. It is also known as an aphrodisiac. And it certainly is, because "the shortest way to the heart is through the stomach."

Cooking recipe with this product: Cabbage with mushrooms and chickpeas

Lovage - properties and application

Lovage is a spice with many beneficial properties. Lovage is usually used for its root, sometimes seeds and leaves. For centuries, it has been surrounded by an aura of mystery and mysticism, most likely because lovage is still treated today as an excellent aphrodisiac.

Lovage - healing properties

The raw material used in medicine is lovage root (Latin Radix Levistici). It is a species belonging to the umbel family (Latin Umbelliferae). This perennial plant is native to southwestern Asia, most likely Iran. It is grown in many regions of the world, including Poland. Unfortunately, due to the extensive root system, lovage is not suitable for growing in a pot.

For medicinal purposes, lovage roots are harvested in the second year of vegetation, in the fall. Then clean them, cut them and quickly dry them up to 35 ° C. Interestingly, lovage fruit was also used in folk medicine, but now it is no longer used.

Active ingredients of Radix Levistici

The most important component of lovage root is essential oil, the content of which is about 1%. It consists of:

• phthalides - compounds with the structure of lactones (ligustilide, Ligusticum lactone),
• α-terpineol, pinene, linalool esters,
• polyphenolic acids,
• coumarin compounds (psolaren, coumarin, bergapten),
• β-sitosterol derivatives.

Additionally, but in much smaller amounts, the lovage root contains:

• tannins,
• organic acids,
• minerals.

Medicinal properties of lovage root

Due to the presence of the oil, lovage root has a diuretic effect. The daily amount of urine excreted increases slightly, but the content of chloride, sodium and potassium ions and urea significantly increases. This is most likely a result of faster glomerular filtration and easier blood flow through the blood vessels in the kidneys.

Lovage decoctions have a relaxing effect on the smooth muscles of the digestive tract, and much less on the muscles of the urinary system. This effect is demonstrated by ligustilide contained in the oil. As a result, after consumption, the correct tone of the intestinal muscles and the correct rhythm of peristaltic movements are restored. This results in relief from the pain caused by the contraction and gas build-up. The lovage root is therefore also a typical carminative material. Lovage also causes the smooth muscles of the bile ducts to relax and facilitates the flow of bile into the duodenum.

Lovage preparations are effective in menstrual disorders caused by spasms in the genital area.

ATTENTION! Due to its relaxing properties, lovage should not be consumed by pregnant women.

The essential oil has a mild bactericidal effect on saprophytic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and thus has a positive effect on the course of fermentation processes.

Lovage as an aphrodisiac was used in the past in the form of an ingredient of love decoctions. It was believed that it increases potency and stimulates libido not only of men but also of women. To this day, it is considered a love-promoting herb.

The use of lovage

Preparations of lovage are used primarily in mild renal dysfunction and reduced excretion of minerals and harmful metabolic products, as well as in inflammation of the kidneys and bladder. In addition, they are used in edema caused by impaired renal function. Incidentally, preparations are used in inflammation of the renal pelvis.

Good treatment results are achieved by administering lovage in digestive ailments, especially:

• flatulence
• stomach aches
• indigestion,
• lack of appetite,
• decreased liver function,
• insufficient bile secretion.

Good to remember! In the elderly, the carminative effect of lovage lowers the pressure on the diaphragm, which facilitates the work of the heart muscle.

Lovage tincture is a remedy especially known in folk and natural medicine for cardiovascular diseases. It is usually prepared from the powdered root, because it contains the most active ingredients.

Lovage not only in pharmacy

Garden lovage, due to its unique taste and aroma, has been used in Polish cuisine. Young lovage leaves, collected from June to August, can be eaten fresh or dried - as a spice. Ground and mixed with other herbs or whole, they are the favorite seasoning for pickles and other dishes in southern European countries. However, be sure not to add too much of it as it is very aromatic. Lovage is very often added to the broth, it is also one of the main ingredients of the famous maggi seasoning.

Lovage is also used in cosmetics. Lovage oil is a luxury product that is added to some perfume compositions.

Lovage in combination with other medicinal plants can be found in preparations used primarily in diseases of the urinary system. The herb Levistici radix is also available, from which we will prepare an infusion that is diuretic and supports digestion and liver function. We can combine lovage herb with other plant materials and thus obtain various pro-health mixtures