Lovage Herb - A Lovely
Often Overlooked Herb

Lovage herb is a lovely, often overlooked herb that was once a valuable addition to any self-reliant garden.  The ancient Greeks and Romans, as well as the monks, realized the value of this often overlooked herb for both its medicinal and culinary uses.

It has such a savory, tangy taste that you can include it in other recipes, and you'll find you need less salt. This herb is a must-have for those who need to reduce their sodium intake. Start growing and using lovage, and kidney doctors the world over will thank you.

The lovage herb is an often overlooked herb that is so savory, you can use it with other foods and omit the salt.

Lovage Herb Loved For Centuries

Lovage is a tall perennial that has a taste that’s a bit like celery. Add it to your soups for a lovely flavor. It’s bright green, like parsley, gives off a hint of anise, and is savory like celery. It only takes a few leaves to flavor an entire pot of soup. You’ll find the taste so intense that you’ll likely need up to thirty percent less salt when you use it.

lovage-plant

Add lovage to your salads, rice and potato dishes, and to your poultry. Use the leaves, although the young stems and roots are also edible. Cut and peel the young stems to add to salads.

Similar to angelica, lovage was once popular to use in love potions, earning it the nickname "love ache." In reality, it likely wasn't so much of an aphrodisiac as it was a deodorant, making wooers, who seldom washed in those days, smell more appealing to their beloveds. 

It also worked as a handy remedy for bad breath.

In addition, lovage herb was often made into a cordial that was considered restorative.  Because it is a perennial and can get huge over time, don't plan on putting a lot of it in your garden beds; one or two plants, well-tended, will serve your family well.

Interestingly enough, lovage was once used to test the quality of drinking water. A few drops of oil of lovage will turn red in distilled water, but turns to a beautiful blue when dropped in water that has limestone in it. 

The roots, leaves and seeds can be used both medicinally and in the kitchen.

For the Medicine Cabinet

The plant has antiseptic qualities.  Make an infusion out of the herb and then apply it to wounds to prevent an infection.  It is also useful if you are suffering from a cold or flu.  Drink it as a tea to help clear your lungs.

Lovage also eases flatulence and is good for stomach disorders. It is also good for helping babies with colic.

According to A Modern Herbal (Volume 1, A-H): The Medicinal, Culinary, Cosmetic and Economic Properties, Cultivation and Folk-Lore of Herbs, Grasses, Fungi, Shrubs & Trees with Their Modern Scientific Uses, you can fry the leaves in hog lard and apply it hot to boils to help them break quickly.

For the Kitchen

The herb particularly shines when it comes to its culinary uses. The leaves and stems can be blanched and used in soups and to flavor meatloaf.  The dried leaves are useful as a salt substitute. 

Use lovage to flavor potato and tomato dishes. The seeds are sweeter than the leaves and stems and can be used in a similar way to celery seed to flavor breads, salad dressings, cakes or potato salad. 

You can also make a tea from the lovage herb.

Growing Tips

Depending on where you live, you can either sow the seeds directly into your garden bed or start them indoors if your growing season is shorter. If you do start lovage indoors, be sure to water it regularly once you move it outdoors until the plant is well-established. 



Lovage prefers a moist, fertile soil, so add compost and be sure to mulch.   Lovage is happiest in a cool climate, which means in warmer climates, like my home state of Oklahoma, it needs to be grown in a container and kept indoors when the intense heat of summer comes around.

Because lovage is a perennial, you will eventually need to divide the herb and share it with others. Lovage is a great companion plant that will attract beneficial insects.

You can start harvesting the lovage herb as soon as the plant is a foot high.

Related article:  Grow this herb for salads and for baking.

Learn More About Medicinal Herbs

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About the Author

My name is Sue Merriam, and I began the journey of self-reliant living more than three decades ago, which enabled me to stay home with my children. Fifteen years ago, I founded Joyful Homesteading to help others save money and face the future without fear. My goal is to give you practical, honest advice so you can save money and experience the joy of simple living. I hope you join me.

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