Love That Lovage

By Caroline Anderson June 5, 2023 18 mins read 41 Views

At Belovedsaffron.com, we're passionate about flavours, cultures and cooking wisdom from around the world. We seek to bring you closer to sustainable ingredients sourced from farmers and producers dedicated to preserving culture and tradition. Our mission is to provide everyone with access to remarkable spices, herbs, recipes and organic food that embraces culinary diversity.

Saffron is particularly special for us; its magical scent along with its unique flavour inspires us each day and reveals a world of possibility in the kitchen.

We invite all brave souls who are keen to share their culinary secrets! If you have something delicious on your mind, don't hesitate to share it at [email protected] Let's show our appreciation for all those incredible cultures who dedicate their time and effort towards tantalising taste buds!

For now, love yourself and enjoy this one ...

by Maryann Readal

The Herb Society has chosen Levisticum officinale as its June Herb of The Month. In Texas, it can be difficult to find this herb in nurseries. I found a nice looking lovage plant this spring and decided to try it. After some research, it was revealed that lovage comes from the Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia. It's an easy-to grow perennial that can reach six feet in height and three feet in width. It was planted in the wrong spot, so I had to move to give it room to grow. In the winter it dies, but comes back in spring. To control its height, it can be trimmed in the middle of summer. Lovage grows best in partial shade or sun, and requires well-watered ground. The leaves will become bitter if the plant does not get enough water in the growing season (New York Botanical Garden 2022). Yellow umbels appear at the top of tall stalks and contain two seeds each (Harlos 2011). Goldfinches also love the seeds. Honeybees and swallowtail butterflies love it too. Lovage can either be propagated from seeds or by dividing its crown in spring.

The leaves of the lovage plant look like celery and have a similar taste, but they are more spicy. Some people say it has citrus and anise undertones. You can chop the stems and leaves into salads, sauces, meatloafs, or soups. Just a few leaves are enough to add flavor to a stew or soup. The hollow stems are edible when blanched. You can candied them using simple syrup, or add them to Bloody Marys. You can use the seeds whole or ground in salad dressings, pickling brines and sauces. Some chefs claim that the celery seeds found in grocery stores are actually lovage seeds (McCann 2021). Tonic tea is made from the roots (rhizomes). The leaves, stems and seeds of the lovage can be dried and used in winter.

The Greeks and Romans used lovage as a spice and medicine. The Greeks, and later Benedictine monks chewed the leaves of lovage to aid digestion. During the Middle Ages, lovage was planted in English kitchen gardens and pharmacy gardens by Romans. The roots of this plant were used as diuretics, as a remedy for gas, and to treat rheumatism. They also helped with jaundice, malaria and sore throats. The leaves were added to bath water to cleanse and deodorize the body. Lovage was known as a love and aphrodisiac herb. Charlemagne was said to have grown lovage and Queen Victoria ate candied lovage seed and had pockets sewn in her clothing for the seeds. (Specialty Produce N.D.). It was common to grow lovage in monastic gardens due to its medicinal properties. Celtic travelers believed that lovage relieved fatigue and muscle pain. The British introduced lovage into North America where it's still grown at places like Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth, MA. (Tirrell 1975). Colonial women used it to treat sore eyes, upset stomachs and even sore eyelids. Fresh leaves were used in salads in the summer and dried roots were added to winter soups. The Shakers also used it as a medical herb.

Loveage is more popular today in Europe, especially in Central Europe and England. However, its use there has also declined. It is interesting to note that lovage, although easy to grow and having culinary uses, is not common in the United States. Visit The Herb Society’s Herb of the month webpage for more information on lovage.

Herbal Disclaimer: The Herb Society of America, Inc. does not recommend or advise the use of herbs as a medicine or for health purposes. This information is provided for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement or recommendation of any specific medical or health treatment. Consult your health care provider prior to using herbal remedies.

Photo Credits: 1) Lovage flowers (Wikimedia Commons, H. Zell); 2) Lovage leaves (Wikimedia Commons, Mikrilot); 3) Lovage seeds (spadefootnursery.com); 4) Lovage roots (specialtyproduce.com).

References:

Burlew, Rusty. 2023. How to use the all-purpose plant. Accessed on 5/20/23. https://www.honeybeesuite.com/lovage-an-all-purpose-pollinator-plant/

Harlos, Carol Ann. 2011. Lovage is an herb that you will love. The Herbarist. Issue 77.

Homegrown Herb Garden N.D. Differences between lovage & celery-perfect substitutes. Accessed on 5/20/23. https://homegrownherbgarden.com/2021/04/17/differences-between-lovage-celery-perfect-substitutes/

McCann, David. 2021. You can learn everything you need to about cooking with lovage. Accessed on 5/20/23. https://www.allrecipes.com/article/what-is-lovage/

New York Botanical Garden. 2022. Herbal Handbook . Clarkson Publishing.

Specialty Produce N.D. Lovage. Accessed on 5/19/23. https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/Lovage_8473.php#:~:text=Lovage%20is%20native%20to%20the,America%20by%20early%20English%20colonists

Tirrell, Ruth. 1975. The herb lovage has many uses. New York Times. Accessed 5/20/23.https://www.nytimes.com/1975/06/22/archives/lovage-a-herb-of-many-uses.html

Tucker, Arthur, and Thomas Debaggio 2009. Encyclopedia of Herbs. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, OR

Maryann is a Texas Master Gardner and the Secretary of The Herb Society of America. She is also a member The Society's Texas Thyme Unit, located in Huntsville. Maryann is a Native Landscape Specialist. She is a lecturer on plants and herbs, and she teaches herb training in several Master Gardener Programs. She grows pines in East Texas' Piney Woods.

By: The Herb Society of America
Title: Love That Lovage
Sourced From: herbsocietyblog.wordpress.com/2023/06/05/love-that-lovage/
Published Date: Mon, 05 Jun 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do some love coriander and others don't?

Some people hate coriander, while others love it. But why?

Coriander is an herb that grows in warm climates throughout the world. It is native to both North America and Europe.

The leaves of the plant are used in cooking and can also be found in condiments such as salad dressings and dips. When added to food, coriander provides a spicy flavor.

Many people love its taste because it adds a fresh flavor to dishes without overpowering them. Others dislike the smell and taste of coriander because they find it too strong.

But there is more to coriander than meets the eye. There are two types of coriander – sweet and hot. Sweet coriander is milder and sweeter tasting compared to hot coriander.

Sweet coriander is usually grown for its seeds, often called cilantro. This type of coriander is easy to grow and is very low maintenance.

Hot coriander is most commonly used in Indian cuisine. Hot coriander gives a rich flavor to curries and sauces, making it popular among Indians.

Some people say that hot coriander tastes better than sweet coriander. However, the opposite is true for those who prefer sweet coriander.

There are many reasons why people enjoy different varieties of coriander. For example, one person may love the taste of coriander, while another enjoys the aroma.

Whether you like sweet or hot coriander, you might be surprised to learn that you can buy both types of coriander online.

What spice is good for inflammation?

Turmeric is one spice that can be beneficial for reducing inflammation. It contains the active ingredient curcumin, which has been studied extensively and shown to have anti-inflammatory effects on the body. Other spices like ginger, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, garlic, and cardamom may also reduce inflammation in the body. Adding these spices to your diet can help reduce inflammation and promote overall health.

Another spice that can be used to reduce inflammation is black pepper. The active ingredient in black pepper, piperine, has been studied and found to have anti-inflammatory properties. It may also help reduce pain associated with inflammation. Additionally, the spice contains antioxidants which are beneficial for overall health.

Adding black pepper to your diet may help reduce inflammation and promote overall health. Be sure to talk with your doctor before adding any spice to your diet, as some spices may interact with your medications or supplements. Eating various healthy foods, including spices with anti-inflammatory benefits, can help keep your body balanced and reduce the risk of chronic inflammation-related illnesses.

In summary, adding spices to your diet can be beneficial for reducing inflammation and promoting overall health. Spices like turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, garlic, cardamom, and black pepper have all been studied for their potential anti-inflammatory effects.

What herbs should you take daily?

Depending on your health and wellness needs, many herbs can be taken daily to help improve your overall health.

Popular herbs for daily consumption include ashwagandha, turmeric, ginger, holy basil, chamomile, lavender, peppermint, and cayenne pepper. Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that can help the body resist stress and anxiety. Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, while ginger has been shown to aid digestion and boost immunity. Holy basil may help with managing blood sugar levels, as well as providing a calming effect. Chamomile can promote relaxation, while lavender is used in aromatherapy for its calming properties. Peppermint can help aid digestion and reduce nausea, while cayenne pepper has antibacterial properties that may boost your immunity.

As always, you must consult your doctor before taking herbs daily to ensure they are safe for you and do not interact with any other medications or herbs you may be taking.

There is no shortage of information on what foods we should eat and how much exercise we should do. But when it comes to what supplements we should take, there is a dearth of knowledge.

This is because most of us aren’t sure which ones work or which are junk. So we go online and look up whatever we can find.

But often, these articles are written by companies trying to promote their products. Which means they're usually biased toward their product.

So instead of finding unbiased advice, we end up reading marketing hype.

This makes sense since marketers make more money selling stuff than doctors.

The medical industry isn’t even allowed to advertise directly to consumers anymore. The best way to learn about natural remedies is to read independent reviews.

This is where you'll find real users sharing their experiences with each supplement. These sites give you an honest opinion of whether or not a particular herb helps.

Users will often share their experience with a supplement after taking it. This gives you a good idea of its effectiveness and any side effects.

You can also check out forums dedicated to herbalism. Here you can ask questions and receive answers based on personal experience.

Of course, there are plenty of other ways to learn about herbs.

There are books, websites, blogs, videos, podcasts, and classes. All of them provide valuable information about natural remedies.

Statistics

The herbs market is highly competitive, with over 1,000 herb suppliers and over 15,000 herbs products available in the United States alone.
The global herbs market is expected to reach more than $125 billion by the end of 2025.

External Links

How To

How To Upcycle Herbs After Making Infusions, Oils, Tinctures, And More?

There are more ways to use herbs than you might realize. This is why it's essential to keep an open mind when learning how to make herbal infusions, oils, tinctures, and more.

You'll find that there are many methods for making these products, and even though they may seem similar, each method has its benefits.

For example, some methods include creating decoctions, boiling water or alcohol with the herb(s), and letting them simmer for a while. These infusions are solid and potent because they contain higher concentrations of active compounds.

Another type of infusion includes macerating the herb(s), which means soaking them in liquid for a few hours or even overnight. Macerations tend to produce milder results because the plant material isn't boiled.

Some cold-infused forms involve steeping herbs in cool liquids such as ice cubes or cold water. Cold infusions are gentler than hot ones, often used to treat minor ailments.

Herbal oil extraction involves heating the herb(s) to release the essential oils. You can either do this yourself or have someone help you out with it.

Finally, there are tinctures made by mixing herbs with alcohol. They're usually taken orally and are very effective for treating coughs, colds, and flu symptoms.

The best way to learn how to create infused products is to experiment with various techniques. Each technique offers a different potency and effectiveness, depending on the herb(s) you choose.

Once you've tried a few different methods, you'll begin to develop your preferences. In time, you'll be able to determine which techniques work well for you and which aren't worth pursuing.