Lovage
Scientific names: Levisticum officinale, Levisticum officinalis, Angelica levisticum, Hipposelinum levisticum, Ligusticum levisticum
Family: Apiaceae/Umbelliferae
Alternate names: Ache des Montagnes, Angélique de Montagne, Apio de Monte, Céleri Perpétuel, Herbe à Maggi, Lavose, Levistici Radix, Levístico, Lévistique Officinale, Livèche, Love Parsley, Maggi Plant, Persil d'Amour, Sea Parsley, Smallage, Smellage, Szechuan Lovage
Background
Lovage is a plant. The root and underground stem (rhizome) are used to make medicine.
Lovage is used for kidney damage in people with diabetes (diabetic nephropathy), indigestion, kidney stones, cough, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In foods and beverages, lovage is used for flavoring.
In manufacturing, lovage is used as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetics.
Lovage is used for kidney damage in people with diabetes (diabetic nephropathy), indigestion, kidney stones, cough, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In foods and beverages, lovage is used for flavoring.
In manufacturing, lovage is used as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetics.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Lovage is LIKELY SAFE for most people when used in amounts commonly found in foods. It is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken as a medicine in appropriate amounts, short-term. Taking lovage may increase sensitivity to the sun. This might put you at greater risk for rashes from the sun, sunburns, and skin cancer. If you are taking lovage, wear sunblock and protective clothing outside, especially if you are light-skinned.
Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if lovage is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
High blood pressure: There is a concern that lovage might increase the amount of sodium in the body, and that might increase blood pressure.
Kidney problems: Do not use lovage if you have poor kidney function.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: Lovage is LIKELY UNSAFE during pregnancy. There are some reports that it might cause the uterus to contract or start a menstrual period. This could cause a miscarriage.Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if lovage is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
High blood pressure: There is a concern that lovage might increase the amount of sodium in the body, and that might increase blood pressure.
Kidney problems: Do not use lovage if you have poor kidney function.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- Cough.
- Kidney damage in people with diabetes (diabetic nephropathy).
- Gas (flatulence).
- Gout.
- Indigestion (dyspepsia).
- Infections of the kidney, bladder, or urethra (urinary tract infections or UTIs).
- Kidney stones.
- Liver disease.
- Malaria.
- Migraine.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- Sore throat.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of lovage depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for lovage. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Water pills (Diuretic drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Lovage seems to work like "water pills" by causing the body to lose water. Taking lovage along with other "water pills" might cause the body to lose too much water. Losing too much water can cause you to be dizzy and your blood pressure to go too low.
Some "water pills" include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, Microzide), and others.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
The chemicals in lovage might increase water loss through urination, and decrease spasms.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 08/03/2024 11:00:00 and last updated on 25/11/2020 03:28:02. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
