Lovage - Levisticum officinalis

Levisticum officinalis, also known as Lovage, is a robust herbaceous perennial. Its leaves and seeds are often used to spice up salads or bring flavour to sauces and stews.

Lovage has large, highly aromatic celery-like foliage, stalks and roots that give off a fresh celery scent when crushed. In summer, 12 to 20 dense yellow flower umbels appear, reaching 2 m in height. The thick, cylindrical stem is hollow and fluted. The taproot is long and fleshy. Freshly chopped leaves add delicious flavour to salads.

Lovage is considered a herb rather than a vegetable. It is known for its digestive, diuretic, and cholagogic properties (helps optimise liver function). Also helps relieve migraines.

Lovage contains vitamin C and coumarin, a natural substance often used in flavouring and perfume. The leaves can be used to make tea; however, this is not recommended for pregnant women and people prone to kidney failure.

Harvesting: from January to October, when required

Storage: Lovage can be kept for a few days in the refrigerator but its best eaten fresh. The leaves can also be dried, crushed, and stored in airtight boxes for later use.

Good to know: For milder tasting stalks, cover the plant in straw or with a Kraft paper bag (without plastic film) to 2/3 of its height.