Lovage
Scientific Name(s): Levisticum officinale Koch.
Common Name(s): Lovage, Maggi plant, Smellage
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 22, 2021.
Clinical Overview
Use
Lovage has been used historically as an antiflatulent and diuretic, but there are no clinical trials to support these uses. Lovage extracts are used in flavorings and fragrances.
Dosing
Lovage has traditionally been used at a daily dose of 4 to 8 g. The tincture has been administered at 0.5 to 2 mL 3 times daily. The tea is prepared by decocting 2 to 3 g of the root in a closed cup of water for 15 to 20 minutes and has traditionally been consumed 3 times daily.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in pregnancy, renal impairment, and renal inflammation.
Pregnancy/Lactation
Avoid use. Documented adverse reactions include emmenagogue effects.
Interactions
Lovage root may increase the risk of bleeding in patients receiving anticoagulants such as warfarin.
Adverse Reactions
Lovage can cause photosensitivity with resultant dermatitis at harvest, but not when used as a therapeutic agent. A case report described contact dermatitis caused by lovage essential oil.
Toxicology
There are no known reports of toxicity.
Scientific Family
- Umbelliferae
Botany
Lovage is an aromatic umbelliferous perennial similar in appearance to angelica. It carries yellow-green flowers arranged in dense clusters that bloom from July to August on top of the thick, hollow stems. The plant grows up to 2 m tall,van Wyk 2004 and its leaves are divided by sharply toothed leaflets. The characteristically strong aromatic odor resembles that of celery, and it has a "spicy-sweet" and slightly bitter taste. Lovage is native to Europe, but is also found throughout the northeastern United States and Canada. Angelica levisticum Baillon. and Hipposelinum levisticum Britt. and Rose are synonymous in older texts. Lovage should not be confused with Oenanthe cocata L., known commonly as "water" lovage or with Oenanthe aquatica (L.) Lam. (water fennel), toxic members of the family Apiaceae.
History
Lovage has been used in folk medicine for over 500 years, primarily for its GI effects as a carminative and antiflatulent, but has also been used as a diuretic and for the management of sore throats and topical boils. Additional uses as a breath lozenge and as a skin wash and lotion have been described. The name "lovage" is derived from the Latin word ligusticum meaning "from Liguria" because, at one time, the herb flourished in this region of Italy. Translated to English, it evolved into "love parsley," a descriptive name that led to the inclusion of lovage in numerous OTC "love tonics." Lovage is a common ingredient in commercial herbal teas, and extracts are used as flavorings for liqueurs, spice extracts, and bitter spirits, and in fragrances for cosmetics. Cooked leaves and roots have been eaten.Dobelis 1986
Chemistry
Lovage contains approximately 2% of a volatile oil responsible for its characteristic flavor and odor. This oil is composed primarily of phthalide lactones (70%) (eg, 3-butylphthalide [32%], cis- and trans-butyldenephthalide, cis- and trans-ligustilide [24%], sen-kyunolide, angeolide). Limited amounts of certain compounds, such as terpenoids, volatile acids, and furocoumarins, also contribute to the flavor of the extract. Other compounds include camphene, bergapten, and psoralen, as well as caffeic, benzoic, and other volatile acids.Bisset 1994 High-performance liquid chromatography analysis has been performed to determine glycoside content in lovage.
