The meaning of the symbols of lovage seen in a dream.

Constituents: coumarins, butyric acid, volatile oil.

Action: antibiotic (mild), diaphoretic, expectorant, anti-catarrhal, emmenagogue, carminative, diuretic (mild), sedative, antispasmodic.

Uses: flatulent dyspepsia, anorexia, rheumatism, gout, absent or painful menses, mild feverishness in children, renal dropsy (mild), cystitis.

Locally: as a gargle for tonsillitis; mouth wash for mouth ulcers BHP (1983).

Combinations. With Agrimony for indigestion. With Buchu for renal dropsy. With Raspberry leaves for menstrual disorders. Usually combined with other diuretics.

Preparations: Average dose: half-2g. Thrice daily.

Decoction. Half-1 teaspoon to each cup water gently simmered 15 minutes. Dose: one-third-1 cup.

Liquid Extract: 5-30 drops in water.

Oil used in aromatherapy and perfumes.

LOZENGE. A compressed tablet for sucking in the mouth for inflammatory conditions of throat, mouth and chest. Usually has a base of sugar, a demulcent (Comfrey, Marshmallow root, Slippery Elm, Tolu, or Balm of Gilead), together with a binder, such as gum acacia or gum tragacanth. Recipe for simple lozenge: half an ounce (15g) powdered herb; half an ounce sugar; powdered gum 1 teaspoon (3g). Pure spring water – a sufficiency. Mix into a paste, thin-out the mass and press out lozenges with small gauge mould and dry. 

FAMILY: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)

SYNONYMS: Angelica levisticum, Ligusticum levisticum, smellage, maggi herb, garden lavage, common lavage, old English lavage, Italian lavage, Cornish lovage.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A large perennial herb up to 2 metres high with a stout hollow stem and dense ornamental foliage. It has a thick fleshy root and greenish-yellow flowers. The whole plant has a strong aromatic scent.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to southern Europe and western Asia; naturalized in North America. It is cultivated in central and southern Europe, especially in France, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia and Germany.

OTHER SPECIES: Several related plants are also used to produce essential oils, such as sea lavage (Ligusticum scoticum) and alpine lavage (L. mutellina).

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: A herb of ancient medical repute, used mainly for digestive complaints, oedema, skin problems, menstrual irregularities and fever. It was also believed to be good for the sight. The leaf stalks used to be blanched and used as a vegetable or in salads. The root is current in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia as a specific for flatulent dyspepsia and anorexia.

ACTIONS: Antimicrobial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, carminative, depurative, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, stimulant (digestive), stomachic.

EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam distillation from 1. the fresh roots, and 2. the herb – fresh leaves and stalks.

CHARACTERISTICS: 1. An amber or olive brown liquid with a rich, spicy-warm, root-like odour. 2. A very pale yellow mobile liquid with a spicy, warm odour and sweet-floral undertone. It blends well with rose, galbanum, costus, opopanax, oakmoss, bay, lavandin and spice oils.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Mainly phthalides (up to 70 per cent) such as butylidene, dihydrobutylidene, butylphthalides and ligostilides, with lesser amounts of terpenoids, volatile acids, coumarins and furocoumarins.

SAFETY DATA: Non-toxic, non-irritant, possible sensitization/phototoxic effects. Use with care. Avoid during pregnancy.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE

Circulation muscles and joints: Accumulation of toxins, congestion, gout, oedema, poor circulation, rheumatism, water retention.

Digestive system: Anaemia, flatulence, indigestion, spasm.

Genito-urinary system: Amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, cystitis.

OTHER USES: The root oil is used as a fragrance component in soaps, cosmetics and perfumes. The oils and extracts are used as savoury flavouring agents and in liqueurs and tobacco.

ACTIONS: Antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, digestive, diuretic (mild), laxative (mild), sedative, stimulant (digestive and lymphatic), tonic.