Lovage
Lovage (Levisticum officinale)
Lovage (pronounced /ˈlʌvɪdʒ/), also known as Levisticum officinale, is a tall perennial plant, the sole species in the genus Levisticum in the family Apiaceae, native to the Mediterranean region of southern Europe and Asia Minor.
Etymology
The name "lovage" is from "love-ache", ache being a medieval name for all plants in the celery family. The Latin name Levisticum originates from "Ligusticum", referring to Liguria, a region in Italy where the herb was extensively cultivated.
Description
Lovage is a hardy, herbaceous, perennial garden plant that grows up to 2.5 meters high. It has a thick, fleshy root, furrowed stalks, and large, dark green, shiny leaves. The flowers are yellow and grouped in umbels. The plant has a distinctive, strong scent similar to celery.
Uses
Lovage is used in herbal medicine for its antiseptic, carminative, and diuretic properties. It is also used as a culinary herb, its leaves and seeds being used to flavor soups, stews, and pickles. The roots can be eaten as a vegetable or grated for use in salads.
Related Terms
- Apiaceae: The family of plants to which lovage belongs.
- Herbal medicine: The use of plants for medicinal purposes.
- Culinary herb: Herbs used to flavor food.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Lovage
- Wikipedia's article - Lovage
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