Wise Mind Herbs

The information on this page has been prepared with reference to published scientific literature, not by a medically qualified expert. It is not medical advice. Any decision to use a supplement or herb-based product is your responsibility. Consult a suitably qualified medical professional, especially if you have underlying conditions. Remember, nothing is for everyone, and not everything sold is what it claims to be. Some things work for some people, some of the time.

Lovage - Levisticum officinale

Lovage (Levisticum officinale W.D.J. Koch) is a perennial herb in the Apiaceae family that has been traditionally used in European and Mediterranean folk medicine. It's also known as sea parsley, love parsley, maggi plant, and Italian lovage. It should not be confused with Scotch lovage (Ligusticum scoticum), Chinese lovage (Ligusticum sinense), or black lovage (Smyrnium olusatrum), which are distinct species with different phytochemical profiles and potential health effects.

Phytochemical Composition

Lovage contains several bioactive compounds including essential oils (primarily phthalides and terpenes), coumarins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. The main active compounds identified include ligustilide, butylidenephthalide, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and quercetin derivatives. The roots typically contain higher concentrations of phthalides, while the leaves are richer in flavonoids and phenolic compounds.

Evidence-Based Health Benefits

The scientific evidence for lovage's therapeutic properties is primarily based on in vitro and animal studies, with limited human clinical trials. The following conditions have shown some response to lovage preparations:

• Urinary tract infections and kidney stones: Lovage demonstrates mild diuretic and antimicrobial properties that may help with urinary tract health.
• Digestive disorders: Studies suggest anti-spasmodic effects that may alleviate indigestion, bloating, and mild gastrointestinal discomfort.
• Anti-inflammatory effects: Certain lovage extracts have demonstrated inhibition of inflammatory mediators in laboratory studies.
• Antimicrobial activity: In vitro studies show moderate antimicrobial effects against certain bacterial strains including E. coli and S. aureus.
• Mild analgesic properties: Some animal models suggest pain-relieving effects from specific lovage extracts.
• Anti-cancer activity: Lovage essential oil has shown potential for stimulating the death of cancer cells.

It is important to note that claims about lovage "curing" conditions are not supported by robust clinical evidence. Most benefits observed are palliative or supportive rather than curative.

Recommended Dosages

Due to insufficient clinical trials, standardized dosing guidelines for lovage are not well established. Based on traditional use and limited research:

• Dried root: 1-2 g three times daily
• Fluid extract (1:1): 1-2 mL three times daily
• Tincture (1:5 in 45% alcohol): 2-4 mL three times daily
• Tea (infusion): 1-2 g of dried leaves or root in 150 mL water, consumed 2-3 times daily

Most commercial preparations lack standardization to specific active compounds. Where standardized products exist, they typically contain 1-2% essential oil with minimum 0.5% phthalides.

Side Effects and Disbenefits

While generally recognized as safe in culinary amounts, medicinal doses of lovage may cause:

• Photosensitivity: Due to its furocoumarin content, which may increase skin sensitivity to sunlight
• Allergic reactions: Particularly in individuals with allergies to other members of the Apiaceae family (celery, carrots, fennel)
• Diuretic effects: May enhance the effects of diuretic medications
• Uterine stimulation: May stimulate menstruation and is contraindicated during pregnancy
• Potential drug interactions: May interact with anticoagulants, sedatives, and certain antihypertensive medications

People with kidney disorders, bleeding disorders, hormone-sensitive conditions, or scheduled for surgery should avoid therapeutic doses of lovage.

High-Dose Studies

Research on doses exceeding the traditionally recommended ranges is extremely limited. Available toxicity studies suggest:

• Acute toxicity in rodent models indicates a relatively high safety margin for lovage extracts
• No systematic studies have examined the efficacy or safety of high-dose lovage in humans
• Significant knowledge gaps exist regarding long-term safety, drug interactions, and maximum tolerable doses

There is insufficient evidence to suggest benefits from doses higher than those traditionally used, and potential risks may increase with higher concentrations of active compounds.

Several phthalide compounds similar to those found in lovage have inspired synthetic derivatives being researched for pharmaceutical applications, particularly for neuroprotective and cardiovascular effects, though none have yet reached market approval specifically citing lovage as their origin.

Research Gaps and Future Directions

The scientific understanding of lovage as a medicinal herb has significant limitations including:

• Lack of large, well-designed human clinical trials
• Insufficient standardization of extracts used in research
• Limited pharmacokinetic and bioavailability data
• Inadequate investigation of potential drug interactions
• Sparse research on specific therapeutic applications compared to traditional claims

Future research should focus on standardized preparations, clinical efficacy for specific indications, and safety profiling, particularly for special populations.

Conclusion

While lovage has a long history of traditional use and contains compounds with demonstrated bioactivity in laboratory settings, the clinical evidence supporting specific therapeutic applications remains preliminary. Most benefits attributable to lovage are modest and supportive rather than curative. Individuals interested in using lovage medicinally should consult healthcare providers, particularly if taking medications or having underlying health conditions.

References

Esfahani, H. M., Farimani, M. M., Ebrahimi, S. N., Jung, J. H., Aliahmadi, A., Abbas-Mohammadi, M., ... & Miran, M. (2020). Antibacterial components of Levisticum officinale koch against multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Pharmaceutical Sciences, 26(4), 441-447.

Georgieva, A. (2023). Potential health benefits of the plant Levisticum officinale (lovage) in relation to its polyphenolic content. Acta Scientifica Naturalis, 10(1).

Ghaedi, N., Pouraboli, I., & Askari, N. (2020). Antidiabetic properties of hydroalcoholic leaf and stem extract of Levisticum officinale: an implication for α-amylase inhibitory activity of extract ingredients through molecular docking. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research: IJPR, 19(1), 231.

Ghaedi, N., Pouraboli, I., Mirtadzadini, M., & Moeini-aghtaie, M. M. (2024). Levisticum officinale extract protects against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity through anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and antioxidant properties in rats. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 14(8), 331-340.

Sargazi, M. L., Karam, Z. M., Shahraki, A., Raeiszadeh, M., Khabaz, M. J. R., & Yari, A. (2024). Anti-inflammatory and Apoptotic Effects of Levisticum Officinale Koch Extracts on HT 29 and Caco-2 Human Colorectal Carcinoma Cell Lines. Galen Medical Journal, 13, 1.

Sertel, S., Eichhorn, T., Plinkert, P. K., & Efferth, T. (2011). Chemical composition and antiproliferative activity of essential oil from the leaves of a medicinal herb, Levisticum officinale, against UMSCC1 head and neck squamous carcinoma cells. Anticancer research, 31(1), 185-191.

Spréa, R. M., Fernandes, Â., Calhelha, R. C., Pereira, C., Pires, T. C., Alves, M. J., ... & Ferreira, I. C. (2020). Chemical and bioactive characterization of the aromatic plant Levisticum officinale WDJ Koch: A comprehensive study. Food & function, 11(2), 1292-1303.