Whether chopped and tossed with salad, simmered in soup or rubbed on meat, lovage adds intense flavor that’s both robust and mysterious. Just be careful, a little goes a long way; too much can be overwhelming.
A close relative to celery, lovage’s leaves, stems and seeds have an aroma some compare to diesel fuel. It pairs well with many foods, but it is particularly good with pork and strongly flavored fish.
Uncovering the Celery-Like Flavor
Adding lovage leaves, stems and seeds to recipes can bring the fresh, green flavor of celery without the fibrous texture. The leafy herb is similar to parsley but has a lighter, more subtle taste with hints of anise. It can be substituted in soups, stews and marinades to add a bit of earthiness. It also pairs well with chicken, pork and strongly flavored fish.
Lovage is a low-calorie herb that provides an array of health benefits. It is high in vitamin C and contains quercetin, a plant pigment that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Try growing lovage in your garden. It's easy to grow from seed and reseeds itself, so you can always have this useful herb on hand. It's also a great companion plant for tubers like potatoes. As an added bonus, the leaves can be used to make a refreshing liqueur. The leaves are a little more potent than the stalks, so they're best used for drinks or dishes where their flavor will be appreciated.
Adding a Twist to Your Dishes
Lovage is a multifaceted herb that can enhance the flavor of nearly any dish. Its distinctive flavor makes it a welcome addition to soups and stocks, and it adds zest to salads. It can be infused into drinks to create unique cocktails. Its roots and seeds are also a valued culinary ingredient.
Lovage grows best in cool, damp climates with a rich soil and moderate to full sun. It is hardy to zone 6. It's a perennial that requires little to no maintenance. It's easy to grow from seed, purchased from online retailers or at many local garden centers and big box stores, or from root divisions.
Ensure that the lovage is healthy and free of pests, including the tarnished plant bug, which attacks lovage, as well as other plants in the brassica family, such as cabbage, collard greens, kale, and turnip. Remove damaged leaves and trim large plants throughout the growing season to promote air circulation and prevent disease.
Adding a Bite to Your Soups
Lovage's flavor is like celery plus parsley times a hundred and has an almost peppery, pungent finish. It can add a nice bit of bite to soups and is delicious wilted with summer vegetables. Its leaves, chopped fine, are great in salads. Lovage's seeds are aromatic and can be used as a substitute for celery seed in recipes such as mayonnaise, or sprinkled on cooked dishes and salads. They also can be ground to make a seasoning similar to celery salt.
You can direct-sow lovage seeds outdoors in spring, or start them indoors 5-6 weeks before the last frost date. If starting seeds indoors, scatter them on a seed starting mix and cover lightly with sand. Seedlings should be transplanted to the garden when the danger of frost has passed and evening temperatures are warm.
Lovage is a perennial that requires a period of cold dormancy to become fully established. It is easy to propagate by dividing basal rosettes in early spring.
Adding a Bite to Your Salads
Lovage leaves are a great substitute for celery in salads. They are more savory than parsley and have a hint of anise flavor. They work well with garlic, chives and lemon. The seeds can be ground into lovage salt and sprinkled over cooked dishes, added to mayonnaise or used in bread dough.
Lovage plants are easy to grow from seed and the basal rosettes can be harvested throughout the growing season. The plant is a perennial that, like tarragon, requires a period of cold dormancy. It can also be propagated by dividing the roots of mature plants, but be sure to remove any "eyes" on the root crown.
Although lovage is a hardy herb it can be damaged by the tarnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris) and should be planted away from other crops. It is best to start with young, tender plants as it takes a while for the plants to develop full flavor. The lovage plant is also said to have diuretic properties, so those with kidney problems should avoid eating it and pregnant women should take precautions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the mother of all herbs?
The answer may surprise you!
It is a common garden herb known as rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). Rosemary has long been associated with fertility, longevity, and protection from illness. In some cultures, it was believed that the fragrance of rosemary could ward off evil spirits.
As such, it has been used for centuries in various medicinal, culinary, and spiritual applications. Rosemary has a unique flavor that pairs well with many dishes, making it a popular choice in the kitchen. Its fragrant leaves also add flavor to sauces, herbs, and meats.
Rosemary is a powerful medicinal herb used throughout the centuries to treat various ailments. Rosemary essential oil can treat respiratory tract infections, digestion problems, skin irritation, and inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it helpful in treating headaches and muscle pain as well. In addition, the oil has been used to improve cognitive function and memory recall. Rosemary can also be taken as a supplement, tea, or tincture for its many benefits.
It's no wonder rosemary is known as the mother of herbs! It truly is a versatile and valued herb.
What plant helps with infection?
There are plants out there that help fight infections. Some even contain anti-bacterial properties. One of them is mint.
Mint has been used for centuries to treat respiratory infections such as cold symptoms and flu. Mint also supports digestion and relieves gas pains. You may find relief with peppermint tea if you have an upset stomach. Peppermint oil has antibacterial properties, which make it effective against germs.
Peppermint tea contains menthol, beta-carotene, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium. These nutrients support healthy immune systems and provide energy to keep your body strong.
You can make peppermint tea at home by adding one teaspoon of dried mint leaves to boiling water. Let steep for five minutes and drink hot three times per day.
Or you can buy peppermint tea bags at any grocery store. Simply add two teaspoons of dried mint leaves to a cup of hot water. Steep for 10 minutes and strain. Drink hot three times per day for best results.
Which spices from the kitchen are used to cure diseases?
There are more than 4000 medicinal plants that are widely distributed throughout the world. Some of these plants contain active compounds that may help treat various ailments.
In India alone, there are more than 1000 species of herbs that are used for medical purposes. This includes Ayurvedic medicine, Unani medicine, Siddha medicine, Homeopathic medicine, and Chinese medicine.
The most common ingredient found in these medicines is ginger. Ginger contains volatile oils that give it its aromatic flavor. These oils contain anti-inflammatory properties that make them useful against arthritis, fever, vomiting, and indigestion.
Ginger also helps relieve nausea and stomach cramps caused due to pregnancy. Pregnant women often consume ginger tea to reduce morning sickness. Ginger is also commonly used for cough and cold relief.
Another spice that is known to have medicinal value is turmeric. Turmeric contains curcumin which has been shown to inhibit tumor growth. This makes it an effective cancer treatment.
Turmeric is also considered to be very beneficial for joint health. It relieves inflammation and stiffness associated with rheumatoid arthritis. It is also believed to prevent osteoporosis.
Garlic, too, is another herb that is extensively used in traditional medicine. Its healing qualities include treating infections, asthma, heart disease, and diabetes and even reducing cholesterol levels. Garlic oil is also used to treat wounds and insect bites.
Garlic is a natural antibiotic that fights bacteria and viruses. The antibacterial property makes it ideal for treating respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
It is also helpful in preventing urinary tract infections.
Other spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, black pepper, ginger, cayenne, mustard seeds, fennel, and coriander are also used to treat different illnesses.
Statistics
- The global herbs market is expected to reach more than $125 billion by the end of 2025.
- The herbs market is highly competitive, with over 1,000 herb suppliers and over 15,000 herbs products available in the United States alone.
External Links
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- Peppermint oil (Mintoil®) in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: A prospective, double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial
- Curcumin reverses the effects of chronic stress on behavior, the HPA axis, BDNF expression, and phosphorylation of CREB
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How To
How do I know if my herbs have been treated with pesticides?
If you see a pesticide label on your herbs, the plants were sprayed with chemicals before being sold to you.
These chemicals harm human health and could cause cancer or other serious illnesses.
Unfortunately, this practice has become common around the globe. Many countries allow farmers to spray their crops with pesticides without proper regulation.
In order not to harm themselves, consumers should always ask about the source of their produce. If it comes from a farmer near you, it’s safe to assume it was not treated with pesticides.
However, there are still ways to ensure that your herbs are free from harmful chemicals.
However, if you want to ensure that your herbs aren’t contaminated, you can purchase organic herbs directly from the farm.
This way, you won’t need to worry about the safety of your herbs. You can trust that they weren’t exposed to harmful chemicals.
Resources:
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