What is Lovage?
Lovage is possibly not as well-known in some parts of the world as it is in Southwest Asia and Mediterranean Europe where it is a popular cooking ingredient. The herb, which also has the scientific name of levisticum officinale, belongs to the same family as parsley and possibly originated in the Mediterranean region of Europe although its exact origins are disputed.
These days, it is widely cultivated around the world and is widely known for its numerous health benefits including its ability to support the kidney and joints. It can also help stave off harmful organisms, soothe digestion and improve your skin.
Its many health benefits come from an impressive array of healthy compounds including high concentrations of eugenols, limonene, camphor, quercetin and coumarin.
Historical facts
- The Romans and the Greeks are known to have valued lovage and used it for its therapeutic abilities. It is mentioned specifically in several ancient texts by Pliny, Apicius and Galen.
- It was used in the 12th century to relieve abdominal pain, heart conditions and for digestive complaints like coughing and congestion.
- It has been traditionally used to reduce flatulence and as a natural remedy for abdominal pain caused by gas. It has also been used to treat children suffering from colic.
- It was used by the School of Salerno as a natural remedy to support the liver and treat jaundice.
- Traditional herbal practitioners consider lovage to be an effective natural diuretic and also use it to treat kidney stones.
- It has been used to purify the blood naturally and valued as a natural treatment for gout, rheumatism and skin eruptions.
- It has also been used in traditional medicine to treat headaches, migraine, sore throats, pleurisy and even malaria.
What are the Benefits of Organic Lovage?
Lovage has a number of medicinal properties including diuretic, expectorant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial actions because of the presence of compounds like quercetin, eugenol and limonene. These properties give lovage a surprising number of potential health benefits and after reading about them, you may feel more inclined to add it to your diet. If you are interested in reading about the many benefits of this herb then read on.
1. For Respiration and Lung support
We can learn a great deal from traditional medicine and practitioners have long used lovage as a natural remedy for colds, congestion and other respiratory issues.
Lovage can help you to overcome numerous respiratory complaints because of its expectorant properties. It helps to loosen the build-up of excess mucus from the respiratory system and clears up phlegm. This in turn makes it far easier for you to breathe and increases your intake of oxygen,
It is thought to be effective because of the presence of eucalyptol which studies have demonstrated can reduce irritation of the lungs in just a few days.
2. For Kidney Stones and Detoxification
Lovage acts as a type of natural diuretic known as an aquaretic. This kind of diuretic stimulates the production of urine your body produces and excretes without the usual loss of important electrolytes. For somebody undergoing a detox regimen, lovage can help by stimulating urination without the usual risk of becoming dehydrated.
This is probably the reason that lovage has been used successfully in traditional medicine to help prevent kidney stones. The increased production of urine and frequency of urination helps to flush out the urinary tract and helps to boost the strength and health of your kidneys.
3. For the Skin
Lovage is well regarded as a tonic for the skin. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties making it an excellent natural remedy for those suffering from acne or chronic skin conditions like psoriasis. Simply adding lovage to your diet will help boost the health of your skin but it is also possible to apply the leaves topically or to use them to make a soothing salve.
Although there is no specific research into its effectiveness to treat chronic skin conditions, it is a popular choice with some good anecdotal evidence. The antioxidants found in the herb are also known to help reverse cellular damage and to help prevent wrinkles and other signs that you are aging. It is also thought to increase the flow of blood to the skin’s surface which helps improve its appearance and tone.
4. For Digestion
Lovage is a time honored natural remedy for a number of common digestive complaints including gas, indigestion and stomach aches and pains. Its anti-inflammatory properties help it to soothe irritation in the bowels and restore healthy colon function.
- Add some lovage to your salads or soups to avoid flatulence relieve bloating and leave your digestive system happier and healthier.
5. Antimicrobial benefits
A study into the antibacterial effects of 1 medicinal plants was published in 2011 and found that lovage was very effective against various harmful organisms including E,coli, H.pylori and salmonella.
6. For Joint Pain
if you are one of the millions of people that suffer from a painful joint condition like rheumatism, arthritis or even gout, I am sure that you have researched a number of natural treatments already.
- You can add lovage to your list of potential natural treatments for your condition because of its excellent anti-inflammatory properties.
The great thing about natural anti-inflammatory foods like lovage is that you need only add them to your diet and enjoy. There is nothing to lose in giving it can help spice up the flavor of a meal and is highly unlikely to cause any unwanted side effects.
7. For Allergies
Lovage contains a compound called quercetin which is known to provide natural allergy relief. Quercetin inhibits the release of histamine which occurs when you are exposed to an allergen. It basically works in the same way as a pharmaceutical antihistamine but comes with none of the side effects the most notable of which is drowsiness.
For a more detailed article about the benefits of quercetin click on the following link.
8. For Menstruation Issues
Most women will be all too familiar with the side effects of menstruation and for some, these side effects can be quite severe. If you eat lovage or take lovage supplements at the beginning of your period, it can help diminish some of these common effects including bloating and stomach cramps.
Lovage is also a healthy herb containing plenty of goodness; it is rich in nutrients and antioxidants which can help boost your energy and improve your mood during menstruation.
Cooking with Organic Lovage
One of the great things about lovage is that it is so easy to add this healthy herb to your daily diet. It will add flavor and give you a great nutritional boost. You can use the leaves in your salads or to garnish your soups.
- You can use lovage in place of celery in any recipes that include celery but because its taste is far stronger, it is wise to use only half of the amount compared to the full amount of celery the recipe requires.
Potential Side Effects of Lovage
Lovage is considered to be perfectly safe for the vast majority of people to add to their diets. The only caveat is a single negative effect that has been consistently reported. Some people have noted that regularly consuming lovage increased their photosensitivity to the sun’s rays.
Because of this reported reaction, experts recommend that you start consuming lovage in modest amounts before increasing your intake gradually. If you notice any kind of negative reaction, stop consuming it or cut back on your intake.
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21194895
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