Large and perennial plants, which often reach 2-2.5 m in height. It has a large, thick, branched rhizome of brown color, which has a specific smell. Stem erect, grooved, glabrous, hollow. The leaves are arranged alternately, dark green, shiny. The flowers are small, yellow-green or white-yellow arranged in complex shield-shaped inflorescences. The fruits are elliptical, yellow-brown two-seeded drupes. Lovage blooms from June to September, the fruits begin to ripen in September. Propagated by seeds and dividing the bush. It is a completely frost-resistant plant. The whole plant has its own special aroma, similar to the smell of celery.

For medicinal purposes, the above-ground part of an annual plant is collected in autumn, the roots are collected in the second year, in autumn. The roots are dug and rinsed in running water. Cut lengthwise and dry at a temperature of 30-35C. Dried roots are stored in closed containers, as they are also eaten by various pests. It is good to know that, when drying Lovage , it is preferable to dry it separately from other plants - because it has a strong and specific smell.

All parts of the plant contain essential oil (0.1-2.7%), which contains up to 98 components, including D-alpha-terpineol, cineole, acetic acid, isobalderic acid, benzoic acid, butylphthalide, ligustilide (which also determines the specific smell). In addition to the already mentioned substances, lecithin (up to 0.9%), falcarindiol (0.06%), resins, gums, organic acids (angelic and malic acids), starch, sugar, terpenes: alpha-terpeniol, carvacrol, sesquiterpenes, isobaldrianic acid can be found in the roots of the Lovage . , furocoumarins (psoralen and berhapten), tannins and minerals; leaves - large amounts of ascorbic acid. The above-ground part of the plant contains ascorbic acid, carotene, bitter substances, rutin, which has vitamin P activity, as well as various trace elements.

Medicinal significance

Medicinal bark has an antispasmodic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, disinfecting, diuretic and expectorant effect, as well as improves digestion and appetite, preventing flatulence. It also helps to remove excess salts from the body. The roots have antibacterial activity, stimulate appetite, prevent intestinal colic, have a carminative and diuretic effect.

In folk medicine, the roots of the Lovage are used to prevent edema, pyelonephritis, urinary retention, heart diseases, respiratory system diseases, gout, migraine, rheumatism, anemia, tension of the nervous system. It also helps as a wound healer and intestinal parasite expeller.

Lovage infusion and decoction have a diuretic, disinfecting, antispasmodic effect on the intestinal tract, as well as increase the secretion of gastric juice. A decoction of the roots is recommended for sexual impotence in men, especially if the impotence is caused by alcohol, smoking or medical preparations.

Lovage can also be used externally, making decoctions of it for baths to treat itchy dermatitis, as a disinfectant and anti-inflammatory agent. A decoction of the roots is used to strengthen hair. In case of hair loss, the juice or decoction of the plant is rubbed into the scalp. The leaf extract can be used against acne, freckles and pigmentation spots.

For men

If you like to smoke or drink alcohol, then this plant is just what you need. Preparations of the root of the plant will help improve erection and also increase sexual arousal. This plant can also be called natural viagra, and it also has a medicinal effect - its preparations will also treat impotence and prostatitis, as well as various consequences of testicular infection.

Lovage is used in case of damage to the testicles caused by infection - parotitis, toxoplasmosis, brucellosis, tularemia.

Not recommended for use

This plant can also cause side effects due to the active substances contained in it, therefore, it would not be advisable to use this plant during pregnancy (the plant increases blood flow to the pelvic organs) and during lactation, for children under 12 years of age, for people who suffer from gastric and duodenal ulcers (especially in moments of exacerbation).

Diet recipes

The taste of Lovage is peculiar, bitterly salty, which is very useful if it is mixed with meat and fish dishes. Therefore, this plant is used as a spice in cooking.

Dried and crushed leaves are used as a spice, and the roots, which taste rather sweet, are used in marinades and brines. Fresh leaves of Lovage are good in salads, as well as in soups, meat and fish dishes.

Lovage goes well with black pepper, parsley, thyme, rosemary and dill - you can also create spice mixtures from dry herbs by adding salt and can be used with practically all dishes.

The root of the bark can also be dried, then it acquires a slightly bitter taste and lemon aroma.

Such a spice can be used for second dishes, and the dried root is easy to store. Up to 2 years.

Lovage can be used in all ways to prepare vegetables that have a weak taste of their own, such as courgettes.

You can add leaves or stems to stewed courgettes, giving the dish a much more expressive taste. A special taste will also appear in potato soup or lentil dishes.

Lovage will also be great as a seasoning for seafood dishes, sometimes it is also used as a garnish on them - simply by frying its stems and leaves. Just don't forget that this plant is a spice and don't use it in excessively large quantities. You can calculate as follows: 1-1.5 gr. fresh peel on 1 kg of food; 0.2-0.3 gr. of dry exfoliating powder per 1 kg of food. Of course, you have to be guided by your preferences, but adding too much of this plant will damage the food irreversibly.

Cosmetic significance

Lovage is a plant with which herbalists recommend rinsing hair, adding its infusions to baths, body and feet. Among cosmetics manufacturers, this plant is respected because of its strong anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and aromatic properties. In cosmetology, extracts are prepared from the rhizomes and leaves of Lovage .

Active compounds such as quercetin, phthalide and falcarindiol have been found in the leaves and rhizomes of the Lovage . Additional value is given by the vitamins, minerals, essential oil and potassium salts present in the plant. Lovage roots contain sugar, starch, malic acid, coumarins, tannins, resins and gums.

Lovage has pronounced anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and cleansing properties, besides, it ensures the normalization of blood circulation (microcirculation) in the tissues. These properties allow the peeling to be used in toning and cleansing cosmetics.

The extract of the leaves of the Lovage mainly acts as an antimicrobial agent. It produces the most pronounced antimicrobial activity against gram-negative microorganisms. Also, the extract of the leaves of the scabbard is effective against most fungal diseases.

Thanks to its ability to influence blood microcirculation, the Lovage is also useful for hair care! It will promote better blood supply to the scalp, thus stimulating hair growth.

Lovage can be used as a face and body care product, as well as a hair care product.

The main properties of the Lovage :

• Skin toning;
• Treatment and prevention of acne;
• Hair care;
• Normalization of seboregulation in the scalp;
• Prevention and treatment of hair loss;
• Prevention of foot mycosis;
• Prevention of foot sweat and odor.

Thanks to the essential oils of the therapeutic bark beetle, it is often used in various SPA procedures, including baths! It helps heal wounds, boils and also lightens pigmentation spots. In this case, it is recommended to use the healing peel also orally - to detoxify the body!

Lovage can irritate sensitive skin, but no other side effects have been observed in its use.