Lovage officinalis - harm and benefit. Lovage: useful properties and contraindications

Lovage is a perennial herb that belongs to the Apiaceae family. This plant is often used in folk medicine. Basically, the root or essential oil is used for medicinal purposes. Less grass and seeds. Poisonous during flowering. Therefore, you need to be especially careful when harvesting.

What it looks like and where it grows

The territory of modern Iran is considered the homeland of the lovage. It has acclimatized well and is now growing all over the world. Including in our fields, near houses.

It looks and smells like celery. Why is it called winter celery? This is a fairly unpretentious frost-resistant plant that propagates with the help of seeds.

It has a thick bluish-gray stem, branched at the top. Height is about 2 meters. The leaves are shiny, carved.

The flowers are collected in an umbrella, small, inconspicuous yellowish color. Flowering is long from June to August. It can be distinguished by its characteristic smell and salty-bitter taste.

After flowering, small, flattened seeds are formed.

It is popularly considered a love herb, as its name suggests. In ancient times, the bride sewed it into her wedding dress so that her husband would love only her all his life.

Together with wormwood, it was considered a powerful amulet to protect against mermaids.

The people also call: dawn, love or love potion, lyubets, love, love-grass, libistik.

Today, many gardeners plant it as an ornamental plant.

What is the use of the chemical composition

All parts of lovage contain essential oil. Depending on the different parts of the plant, its content ranges from 0.1 to 2.7 percent. It is a brown oily liquid, highly soluble in alcohol.

The main components of the oil are:

Terpeniol;

Acids: acetic, benzoic.

The roots and leaves contain:

Organic acids: malic, acetic, angelic;

Sesquiterpenes;

Carvacrol;

Furocoumarins;

Minerals;

Carbohydrates;

The leaves are rich in ascorbic acid and carotene.

Medicinal properties and application

The presence of many chemical compounds gives the herb properties:

Antiseptic;

Cholagogue;

Painkillers;

Diuretic;

soothing;

expectorants;

Carminative;

Antibacterial.

It is used for cardiovascular diseases, digestive system, diseases of the nervous, bronchopulmonary, urinary systems.

Herbal preparations soothe stomach pain, improve metabolism, liver function, and relieve intestinal colic. Helps fight excess weight.

With disorders of the nervous system, hysteria, neurosis, anxiety and restlessness, it has a calming effect, normalizes sleep.

It contains compounds involved in hematopoiesis. Indicated for anemia.

Diuretic properties are used to relieve edema, remove excess fluid, toxins, toxins from the body.

The roots of the herb are listed in the pharmacopoeia of many countries.

To strengthen the immune system;

From headaches;

With anxiety and stress;

From a cold.

Lovage in folk medicine

For medicinal purposes, roots and rhizomes are often used. In folk medicine, they are used to treat:

Pyelonephritis;

Rheumatism;

Diseases of the gallbladder;

Inflammation of the kidneys and bladder;

Respiratory diseases;

Diseases of the heart and blood vessels;

neuroses;

flatulence;

obesity;

Weakened immunity.

From it prepare a decoction, infusions, alcohol or vodka tincture.

root decoction

To prepare a decoction, take 40 grams of roots and rhizomes. Pour 1 liter of hot water. Put on low heat and boil for about 7-10 minutes. Cool and drink in 5 doses, dividing into equal parts.

Such a decoction is used for baths, skin lesions, make lotions for eczema, psoriasis, and wash wounds.

Infusion of roots

A teaspoon of crushed roots is brewed with a glass (200 ml) of boiling water. Let it brew for 30 minutes. Drink a tablespoon three times a day for digestive problems, loss of appetite.

Purulent wounds are washed with this infusion, eczema, psoriasis, and neurodermatitis are treated.

root tincture

To prepare the tincture, take 1 part of the roots to 3 parts of 70% alcohol. Insist for 21 days. When using vodka - 30 days.

Taken as a diuretic, tonic. Before use, dilute in a small amount of water.

The tincture helps:

Improve the functioning of the heart;

Stimulates blood circulation;

Eliminates bad breath;

Tones and invigorates.

From cystitis

Prepare diuretic collection. Take 1 part:

lovage roots;

Herbs violet tricolor;

Juniper fruit.

Mix well and grind. Take 1 tablespoon of the collection and brew with a glass of boiling water (200 ml). Let it brew for 15-20 minutes. Drink 1 glass twice a day: in the morning on an empty stomach and in the evening before meals.

As a diuretic

To prepare a decoction, brew 1 tablespoon of the roots with 330 ml of water. Boil at a low boil for 10 minutes. Remove from stove and leave for another 60 minutes. Drink a decoction of a tablespoon 3-4 times during the day a few minutes before meals.

With bronchitis

Pour a tablespoon of crushed roots with a glass of hot water and keep on low heat for half an hour. Remove and cool to room temperature.

Consume 2-3 tablespoons three times a day before meals.

This decoction can be used to gargle with tonsillitis or inflammation, the oral cavity with stomatitis.

For rheumatism

Prepare a decoction of 3 tablespoons of roots and a glass of water. Keep for half an hour on low heat. After cooling, they are used as compresses on sore joints for rheumatism, gout, back pain.

Cardiovascular diseases

Brew 40 grams of crushed roots with 1 liter of water. Boil at a low boil for 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce the heat so that the liquid stops boiling, and stand for another 20-25 minutes. Or remove and pour into a thermos at the same time. Drink 1 glass 3-4 times a day before meals, dividing the resulting broth into equal portions.

For nervous disorders

Steep a tablespoon of roots in a glass of boiling water. Let it brew for two hours. Drink once a day in the morning after sleep 100 ml.

Treatment of worms

In the presence of worms, a decoction of seeds is prepared by taking a teaspoon in one and a half glasses of water. Boil at a low boil for 5-7 minutes. Take a tablespoon three times a day before meals.

Useful properties for women

Lovage is used in gynecology. He helps:

With inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs;

Normalize the menstrual cycle;

Reduce pain during menstruation;

Reduce menopausal symptoms (anxiety, anxiety, insomnia).

Preparations based on it improve blood circulation in the pelvic area, which is useful for the reproductive system of both women and men.

Used as a douche and for oral administration.

The essential oil derived from it is considered a powerful aphrodisiac. No wonder it is considered a love spell.

Decoction for painful menstruation

Pour 6 grams of crushed roots with a glass of water and boil over low heat for 10 minutes. Let it brew for 4 hours and strain. Drink a tablespoon before meals three times a day.

From insomnia

Brew a tablespoon of roots with 250 ml of boiling water and wrap it up for 4 hours. Drink 100 ml twice a day.

Medicinal properties for men

The medicinal properties of the herb help to solve many problems associated with the male reproductive system. He helps:

Strengthen potency;

With prostate adenoma;

From infections of the genitourinary system.

Rinsing with infusion slows down hair loss, preventing baldness.

To enhance potency

Prepare a decoction by steeping 2 tablespoons of the roots with a glass (200 ml) of water. Put on the stove and boil over low heat for 20-25 minutes.

Leave for another half an hour and strain. Drink several times during the day, dividing the broth into equal parts.

Alcoholism treatment

Lovage is a well-known folk remedy for alcoholism. It can be given to drink to the patient without his knowledge, gradually developing an aversion to alcohol.

Alcohol tincture

Alcohol tincture is prepared in the ratio of 1 part of the root to 2 parts of vodka. In addition, for every 200 ml of vodka, 2 crushed bay leaves are added.

Insist for 14 days in a dark place. Give the patient to drink 10 grams each time before meals.

According to reviews, after a week the patient develops an aversion to alcohol, as the tincture has a very unpleasant odor and taste.

Decoction of alcoholism

Prepare a collection of:

Hop cones;

hawthorn flowers;

Calendula herbs (together with flowers);

Valerian;

Dubrovnik;

Bedstraw;

Bogorodskaya herb (thyme).

All herbs are taken in equal proportions. Crush and mix.

To prepare a decoction, take 2 tablespoons of the collection and pour 500 ml of hot water.

Boil on low heat for 10 minutes and remove. Cool to room temperature and strain.

Add 100 ml of ready-made lovage tincture to the finished broth.

Give the patient 50 ml to drink before breakfast and lunch. The course of treatment is 2 weeks.

Infusion from alcoholism

Mix the root of the two-leafed love (cuckoo's tears) and lovage in equal proportions.

Brew 4 tablespoons of the collection with one liter of boiling water. Wrap and let it brew for 12 hours.

After insisting, additionally boil over low heat for 15 minutes. Drink 150 ml three times a day.

The course of treatment is 2 months. After a week break, it can be repeated.

Contraindications and side effects

The use of drugs from lovage is contraindicated:

During pregnancy;

During the period of exacerbation of hemorrhoids;

With uterine bleeding;

With heavy menstruation;

Children and teenagers up to 16 years old.

Before starting treatment, be sure to consult a doctor or an appropriate specialist.

Collection and preparation

Healing properties at the roots accumulate, starting from the second year of vegetation. The maximum amount of nutrients - by three to four years.

You can harvest them in the fall after the end of the growing season or in early spring before flowering. During the flowering period, they accumulate a lot of toxic toxic substances.

The excavated rhizome is cleaned from the ground and washed with cool water. Dry from water and cut into small pieces.

Dry in the shade in a well-ventilated area. Store in a closed container.

Leaves are harvested during the period of active vegetation and flowering. Dry in the shade. Store also in a closed container.

Seeds are harvested after ripening. After drying, store in a closed container.

Drying in the oven at a temperature not exceeding 35 degrees is allowed.

This plant is very popular among the people. Often it is called dawn medicinal, bear, bathing grass, pipe grass, winter celery, love-grass, lyubisnik, lubistra, love stem, love potion. In the medical field, this plant is known as medicinal lovage. In the past, girls were often given instructions: if you want your betrothed to love you, give him a lovage potion to drink. What do we know about this plant now?

Lovage - composition

No wonder lovage has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. It is both appetizingly smelling right and a storehouse of useful elements. It consists of:

  • provitamin A, vitamin C, P, vitamins of group B;
  • potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron;
  • organic acids: malic, angelic;
  • acetic, butyric, benzoic and isovaleric acids;
  • essential oil;
  • carotene, lecithin;
  • tannins;
  • resins;
  • Sahara;
  • coumarins;
  • gum;
  • starch and more.

Medicinal properties of lovage

Lovage has a tonic, sedative, analgesic, antispasmodic, diuretic, expectorant effect. It is used for nervous disorders, hysteria, anemia, headache.

  • Lovage is used for diseases of the kidneys and bladder, the presence of inflammation, to remove stones or sand. Helps with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, gout, eliminates flatulence. Blood flows better to the pelvic organs.
  • Helps in the treatment of edema of cardiovascular origin, improves cardiac activity. Thanks to him, shortness of breath decreases, respiratory diseases, bronchitis disappear.
  • Lovage does not leave bones without its effect: it helps with diseases of the joints, rheumatism. Heals wounds, copes with acne, abscesses and ulcers. It cures dropsy, eczema, psoriasis, lichen, dermatitis, relieves age spots.
  • In the intimate sphere, lovage is also indispensable. It gives strength for sexual weakness, and applied to the skin of a girl, it acts as an aphrodisiac. Men can use lovage to restore the testicles after infectious diseases such as mumps, tularemia, taxoplasmosis and brucellosis. During menstruation, it effectively relieves pain, and during childbirth, it contributes to the easy appearance of a child.
  • Its effect on alcoholics is interesting. Despite the fact that in this case it is mixed with vodka, the result is not long in coming: the infusion causes a strong aversion to alcohol.

Healing recipes

For the preparation of preparations, fruits, roots of plants 3-4 years old and leaves collected during the flowering period are used.

  • Infusion with a lack of blood circulation 1 and 2 degrees. Pour 50 grams of crushed root with a liter of water and boil for 10 minutes. Infuse for an hour, then strain and drink 4 times a day for ¼ cup.
  • Infusion for alcoholism. Grind 1 root, add 2 bay leaves and pour 250 ml of vodka. Insist 2 weeks in a dark, cool place, shaking from time to time. Strain and give the patient 1 glass. The effect will come almost immediately.
  • Decoction for cancer of the larynx and oral cavity. Pour 1 teaspoon of crushed lovage roots with a glass of boiling water. Leave to cook for 30 minutes on low heat, then insist for an hour and strain. Consume 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals, 2 tablespoons. Use the same decoction as a rinse, 2 cups a day.
  • Infusion for diseases of the heart, bronchi and shortness of breath. Pour 40 grams of crushed lovage roots with a liter of boiling water and insist for 12 hours. Boil for 5 minutes and infuse for another 30 minutes, wrapped in a warm cloth. Strain and drink warm 4 times a day as a tea.
  • Decoction with weak potency and anemia. Pour 1 teaspoon of dried chopped root with a glass of boiling water. Boil for 10 minutes, leave to infuse, then strain. Consume 3 times a day, 1 tablespoon.
  • powder for diabetes, menstrual disorders, impotence and menopause. Peel the root from the skin and dry in the oven at a temperature of 45-50 ° C. Grind the root and consume 3 times a day before meals, ½ teaspoon.
  • Infusion for ulcers and gastritis. Pour 1 tablespoon of lovage leaves with a glass of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes in a warm place and strain. Consume 3 times a day before meals, 1-2 tablespoons.
  • During a severe headache for pain, moisten gauze in the juice of lovage leaves or wrap a slurry of leaves in it and apply to the temporal region. For convenience, you can tie a bandage around your head and walk like that for a while.

Lovage in cosmetology

Lovage is no less popular in cosmetology. It perfectly strengthens hair, makes them beautiful and healthy, heals skin diseases and corrects their consequences.

  • With the help of infusion of lovage, freckles are removed. To do this, pour 1 teaspoon of root powder into 250 ml of water. Infuse for an hour, then boil for 10 minutes. Strain after cooling. Soak a cotton swab in the infusion and wipe the freckles with it 2 times a day for 2 weeks.
  • This infusion also heals wounds and ulcers: drink 1 glass a day and make compresses. If you have cracks in the corners of your mouth, pipette onto the affected area 2 times a day.
  • Infusion against hair loss. Pour 2 tablespoons of dried crushed roots with 3 cups of water and boil for 10 minutes over low heat. Let it brew for an hour, strain and use as a rinse after shampooing.

Application in cooking

Lovage has a strong aroma, spicy taste, gradually turning into spicy. It is very common in the culinary field, mainly as a spice. For this, leaves, roots and seeds are used. Seasoning is great for soups, cereals, sauces, meat and fish products and more.

In addition to making seasoning, lovage is also used to make jam, brew tea from it and add it to salads.

Cooking recipes

Most often, lovage is used as a seasoning. To make it, you will need to grind the dried roots to a powder state. This seasoning is ideal for first, second courses and salads.

Dressing for first courses. The calculation of the ingredients is 1 kilogram of leaves per 250 grams of salt. Pass the leaves through a meat grinder and pickle in a jar. Store the dressing in a dark, cool place.

Lovage contraindications

There are not many contraindications for lovage. It should not be taken by children under 16 and pregnant women. In addition, pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis serve as an obstacle.

The smell of both plants is very similar. The plant is actively used in folk and traditional medicine against many ailments. In this article, we will learn in detail about lovage, as well as the medicinal properties of leaves and roots.

Lovage: chemical composition and nutritional value

- This is a flowering and fruiting plant that has managed to spread almost all over the world. Due to its rich composition, it is used in cooking, cosmetology and medicine. The roots and leaves of the plant contain:

  • organic acids (angelic, valeric, acetic and malic);
  • tannins;
  • resins and essential oils;
  • gum and furocoumarins;
  • sugar and starch;
  • lecithin;
  • trace elements and ascorbic acid.
Calorie lovage - 20 kcal. The ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates:
  • proteins - 3.7 g;
  • carbohydrates - 7.6 g;
  • fats - 0.4 g.

What is useful lovage

The medicinal properties of lovage have a wide range of applications: it is used to treat diseases of the cardiovascular, digestive, nervous, respiratory, and genitourinary systems. This plant has a number of useful actions:

  • wound healing;
  • antiseptic;
  • expectorant;
  • healing;
  • painkiller;
  • choleretic;
  • diuretic;
  • soothing.

For problems with the gastrointestinal tract, decoctions relieve stomach pain and intestinal colic, improve metabolism. This property is used by nutritionists, including grass in the diet of their wards who are struggling with excess weight - after metabolic processes improve, it is easier to lose extra pounds.

With neurosis, hysterics and anxiety, lovage has a calming effect, normalizes sleep. The herb helps hematopoiesis, which contributes to the strengthening and elasticity of blood vessels, and with prolonged use relieves anemia.

Compresses and lotions perfectly heal various types of wounds, ulcers and scratches. The content in parts of carotene is not less than in, so it is useful to eat it to restore the function of vision.

Did you know? Lovage is not only a medicinal root, in the old days it was considered a magical plant. Brides sewed pieces of love-grass into their wedding dresses so that their husbands would only look at them all their lives. And together with the branches of wormwood, the grass was considered a powerful amulet against mermaids.


How is lovage used in traditional medicine

The roots of the plant are actively used in pharmacology as a raw material for medicines for the following health problems:

  • anemia;
  • swelling;
  • dropsy;
  • pyelonephritis;
  • disturbed urination;
  • gout;
  • inflammation of the kidneys and bladder;
  • migraine;
  • catarrh of the respiratory organs;
  • rheumatism.

Important! Lovage, in addition to benefits, can also bring harm: when taking it as a medicine, you should be careful about the dosage for people with problems of the ureters and kidneys.

In gynecology, preparations based on are used for inflammation of the female genital organs, to normalize the menstrual cycle, and relieve pain during critical days.
The benefits of lovage in the treatment of the reproductive system, both female and male, are also known (the active substances in the composition stimulate blood circulation in the pelvic organs).

Homeopathic remedies based on lovage are used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, diseases of the throat and respiratory tract, neuroses and hysteria. Doctors admit that winter celery, when eaten regularly, significantly improves immunity.

The use of lovage in folk medicine (recipes)

In folk medicine, lovage has long been recognized as an effective medicine with a wide range of applications. A decoction of the root helps in the treatment of urogenital problems, in diseases of the kidneys, as a diuretic and in menstrual pain.

It is prepared as follows: the roots (40 g) pre-soaked for a day are boiled in a liter of water for about seven minutes. The broth should be divided into five parts and drunk during the day.

Important! There is an opinion that the root should not be boiled, because the constituent parts of the essential oil evaporate.


Lovage tincture- one of the main forms of application in traditional medicine. To prepare, take a teaspoon of ground root, pour a glass of boiling water, insist for half an hour. Infusion is taken to enhance potency three times a day for a tablespoon.

Outwardly, this infusion helps to cure purulent inflammations on the skin, it must be prepared in large quantities and diluted - it is used for baths for psoriasis, eczema, and neurodermatitis.

Lovage brings significant benefits in getting rid of age spots, the recipe is as follows: a teaspoon of ground roots and leaves is poured into 250 ml of boiling water. Infuse for an hour, then boil for twenty minutes in a water bath. Strained broth twice a day, wipe the face.

Hair Mask: 20 grams of crushed dried root pour 250 ml of boiling water, let it brew for 6-8 hours in a thermos.

Then strain the mixture, rub it into the scalp, moisten the remaining hair along the entire length, wrap your head with a towel and leave for an hour. Rinse with running warm water without using shampoo.

Infusion for gargling: a tablespoon of crushed root is poured with 150 ml of boiling water, insisted for an hour. Before rinsing, slightly warm up, carry out the procedure three to four times a day.

How is lovage used in cosmetology

Lovage-grass is used not only in medicine - it is more than useful in cosmetology. A decoction of the plant is used to restore weakened and split hair: the herb gives the hair a healthy shine, silkiness and splendor.

Women use essential oil as an aphrodisiac. In perfumery, it is often used as a perfume, and in spas as an ingredient in aromatherapy and massage treatments. In the cosmetics industry, winter celery is used in deodorants and antiperspirants.

A decoction of crushed lovage root helps to get rid of age spots, and applied on the scalp stimulates hair growth.

The antimicrobial action of the herb makes it useful in foot baths for skin problems, as the plant actively fights fungi.

Lovage extract is also added to face and neck cleansing products, to antiseptic creams for the face, hands and feet. Herbal remedies are great for acne and pimples.

The ability to provide good blood circulation helps to relax and unwind after a fifteen-minute bath.

Lovage and cooking

Thanks to its spicy aroma, grass is not the last ingredient in cooking, and greens, roots, and lovage seeds are worthy of use.

The roots are used as a spice in powdered or crushed form. Grated, it goes well with other vegetables in sauces for second courses, in addition, fragrant oil is prepared from it. From a young fresh rhizome, candied fruit and jam are prepared.

Stems and leaves go to salads, first and second courses, sauces and seasonings for meat, poultry and fish. Winter celery is popular in various butter and cheese mixtures and snacks.

The leaves are often used as a spice in savory desserts and added to marinades. The top of the plant and the seeds add an interesting flavor profile to the pickles. Lovage has long been included by nutritionists in the menu of diets - therapeutic and for weight loss.

How to prepare the roots and leaves of lovage

Blooms in June, sometimes in - depending on weather conditions, seed ripening occurs in September. In the first year after planting, only leaves are harvested, used fresh all season and harvested for the winter as a seasoning.


The homeland of the perennial lovage plant is Afghanistan, but it is successfully cultivated in many countries of the world. There are many legends associated with the plant, its unique and amazing properties.

The leaves are distinguished by a sweetish aftertaste, turning into bitterness, the aroma of the plant is pleasant, specific. Lovage blooms from mid-June until autumn, grows well on any soil, even in the shade of trees. Photos of the plant can be found on the Internet.

Other names for grass: piper, dawn, fence, love grass, winter celery. It is believed that it helps to get rid of nine diseases. The plant contains various acids, starch, sugar, essential oils, minerals and tannins.

Application features

First of all, it is necessary to consider lovage as a medicinal plant, since it is most often used for medical purposes. A little less often, grass is used in cosmetology, perfumery and cooking.

Roots, leaves and petioles of lovage are used with equal efficiency. The only limitation is that it is strictly forbidden to use it during flowering, the plant emits toxic substances that will cause serious harm to health, the pancreas.

Doctors advise grass in such cases:

  1. flatulence;
  2. poor appetite;
  3. indigestion.

If a person has no contraindications, and he likes the specific taste of the plant, it can be added to salads, soups and other culinary dishes to taste.

It is useful to harvest lovage for the winter; it is allowed to dry, freeze and salt young grass leaves.

Herb lovage and its beneficial properties

Weed is used to eliminate the inflammatory process, relieve pain, it still works well against puffiness in diabetes mellitus, heart pathologies. Doctors say that lovage is a pretty good laxative, helps to expel worms from the body, stimulates digestion, and the production of gastric juice.

The lovage plant and its beneficial properties have been used in the treatment of diseases of the kidneys, cardiovascular system, liver, headaches and migraines. Lovage root will become a general tonic, improves immunity, improves well-being, increases the body's resistance to colds and viral diseases. The medicinal root is dug up late in the fall, just before the frosts themselves.

To get rid of health problems, infusions and decoctions, fresh plant juice are used. It will be especially useful for the care of problem skin, it will help remove freckles, blackheads and acne. As reviews show, lovage decoction copes with the problem of hair loss.

Another important feature of the herb is the stimulation of blood flow to the genitals, which produces the effect:

  • strengthening;
  • tonic;
  • medical.

Despite the beneficial properties and contraindications of lovage, the herb is prohibited during pregnancy of any period, breastfeeding. It is better not to eat the rhizome and leaves of the plant and for the treatment of internal bleeding, the presence of individual intolerance, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum. Other contraindications will be: acute and chronic kidney disease, pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis.

The increased content of the substance quercetin, which acts as a natural inhibitor of histamine, makes it possible to use infusions and decoctions of the plant to get rid of allergic reactions and unpleasant symptoms:

  1. cough;
  2. runny nose;
  3. congestion of the nasal passages.

Due to the relief of symptoms, the herb calms the person, additionally eliminates inflammation in the nasopharynx.

Traditional medicine suggests using lovage for skin and hair care. The essential oil of the plant is often included in the composition of cosmetics: cream, ointment, lotion. Means eliminate the manifestations of the chronic form of psoriasis, promote blood flow to the epidermis, increase skin tone, remove fine wrinkles, improve the appearance of the face.

Pediatricians are allowed to use decoctions of lovage for bathing newborns, this prevents diaper rash, dermatitis, and rashes.

Ways to harvest plants for future use

As noted, grass rhizomes are dug up in late autumn, and the plant must be older than one year. Ideally, he should be a couple of years old so that the root has time to acquire healing properties.

The top of the plant is harvested before the flowering period, when there are no harmful toxic substances in it yet. The raw materials are dried in the same way as other medicinal herbs under a canopy, avoiding direct sunlight. Since the lovage has a rather thick root, it must be cut across and along before drying.

It must be remembered that the drying temperature should not be higher than 35 degrees, otherwise all valuable and useful components are destroyed. For the same reason, the root of the plant cannot be boiled for a long time, essential oils evaporate.

Storage:

  1. grind the dry root, store in a glass container for one year;
  2. dried leaves are stored in wooden boxes, canvas bags;
  3. frozen leaves are best kept in special containers.

It is important to store raw materials in a dry place where sunlight does not fall, and always in a sealed container so that valuable volatile substances do not erode.

Recipes for the preparation of medicinal products

For the treatment of digestive tract problems, appetite disorders, you should take a teaspoon of crushed grass root, pour 250 ml of boiling water. The remedy is insisted for about half an hour, filtered through cheesecloth, drink one large spoon three times a day.

To improve appetite, prepare a slightly different tincture of lovage, take half a spoonful of grass, a spoonful of crushed plant root, pour a glass of water. You need to insist 60 minutes, filter, drink 4 times a day for half a regular glass.

When insomnia torments, there are wounds and cuts on the body, the following tincture is prepared: a quarter liter of boiled water, a large spoonful of the dried root of the plant, leave for 5 hours, strain. From insomnia, it is recommended to drink liquid in half a glass twice a day. In case of damage to the skin, the affected areas are treated with tincture. It is also suitable for the treatment of alcoholism in men.

Decoctions will be slightly less effective, since during boiling, the bulk of the beneficial properties disappear. However, the decoction benefits the body if it is correct:

  • cook;
  • insist;
  • use.

Lovage gives useful properties for a woman in violation of menstruation, the treatment is carried out with a decoction based on the rhizome of the plant. A glass of water is poured into the dishes, 6 g of the root are measured, boiled over low heat for 8-10 minutes, filtered. With regular use of the drug, the menstrual cycle is adjusted, the pain syndrome decreases.

As a diuretic, a recipe is used:

  • 750 ml of water, 2 tablespoons of rhizomes;
  • boil over low heat for 10 minutes;
  • insist 60 minutes;
  • take 4 times a day, one spoonful before meals.

For men, in order to increase potency, a decoction is prepared from 30 g of roots (you can use the seed), two glasses of water. It is recommended to drink 10 g of decoction at least 3 times a day before meals.

Alcoholism treatment

The herb will help well against alcoholism, there are many recipes for preparing a medicinal drug, you can choose the most suitable option for yourself.

Classic recipe

In a glass of vodka put the root of the plant, a couple of bay leaves, insist 2 weeks. When ready, take 10 grams before meals until there is a complete aversion to alcoholic beverages. The tincture is unpleasant in taste, as reviews show, it soon completely discourages cravings for alcohol, additionally stimulates the nervous system.

With moderate alcohol cravings

The roots of the two-leafed love are mixed in equal proportions, the leaves of the lovage, 4 large spoons of the collection are poured with a liter of water, insisted overnight, boiled over low heat for 15 minutes in the morning. Then it is necessary to cool and strain the broth, the duration of treatment is 30 days.

Universal Recipe

Hop cones, hawthorn color, valerian, oregano, Bogorodskaya grass, calendula (flowers and grass), oregano and mountain dubrovnik are mixed in equal proportions. Take two tablespoons of the mixture, pour half a liter of boiling water, put on fire for 8-10 minutes. After boiling, the broth is cooled and filtered through gauze. It will be necessary to add another 100 grams of lovage extract.

The resulting decoction is consumed in a quarter cup for two weeks, it is recommended to drink the remedy before breakfast and lunch on an empty stomach.

Lovage officinalis is a perennial, cultivated plant, quite unpretentious and resistant to cold, it does not require special care. In addition, lovage is not picky about sunlight and heat, on the contrary, it grows better when the lower part of the plant is in the shade.


Lovage, as a rule, blooms in the second year of life, only then the plant strives for light, since it is so necessary for seed maturation. Lovage officinalis is also called mountain celery. Indeed, these plants are very close in botany. In nature, lovage usually grows at the foot of mountains or along the slopes, for this reason it was called "mountain celery". It grows especially well in moist lowlands. The root is used for food, as it is large and fleshy in the plant. The top, namely greens, is more used as a spice and when pickling vegetables. Among other things, lovage is also used as a medicine.

The plant in the second year of its life reaches about two meters. Yellow flowers are collected in a dense umbrella. Every year the plant becomes more beautiful, grows and bushes in width.

The use of lovage officinalis

Lovage juice is widely used in folk medicine. Use a decoction of the roots and leaves of this plant. The decoction has expectorant, diuretic and tonic properties. All parts of the plant are used - the root, the leaves, and the seeds.

For example, in cosmetology, a decoction of lovage is recommended in the treatment of hair, simply rinsing them. After such a shower, the hair acquires incredible splendor, silkiness and shine. There is an opinion that a tincture of this plant can help men regain strength and interest in ladies. Ladies, on the other hand, use it as a natural aphrodisiac, applying a few drops of the essential oil of this “magic” plant to the skin. It seems that the aroma lures men like moths - the light of a lamp.

A specially prepared decoction of lovage is used to treat ascites (dropsy), diseases of the upper respiratory tract, as well as to relieve the inflammatory process in the gastrointestinal tract. With neuralgia or heart disease, a decoction of this plant is also recommended, as it has sedative properties. In addition, it perfectly cleanses the skin and promotes the healing of purulent wounds. For gout and rheumatism, it is good to use tinctures prepared with alcohol as a rub.

Beauticians recommend a decoction of lovage root to get rid of age spots. There is even a recipe aimed at combating alcoholism. To do this, you need to take 250 grams of vodka and insist in it 50 grams of lovage roots and two bay leaves. Those who used this remedy say that after drinking a glass of infusion, there will be no more desire to drink alcohol.

Preparation of decoction and infusion of lovage

Decoction. Pour a glass of hot water over one tablespoon of crushed roots, then boil for 30 minutes in a sealed container, then cool for 10 minutes. The resulting broth should be filtered and brought with boiled water to the original volume. Use this remedy 1-2 tablespoons 3 times a day.

Infusion. Roots are used to prepare the infusion. One teaspoon of crushed roots is required to pour a glass of boiling water, cool and strain. Use the medicine in equal portions throughout the day for 5-6 doses.

To prepare an infusion of herbs, 2 teaspoons of herbs are poured into ¼ liter of cold water, heated to a boil, and then filtered.

Useful properties of lovage

Even ancient people possessed knowledge about the nutritional, medicinal, stimulating and aromatic beneficial properties of lovage. This plant contains a lot of potassium salts, vitamins, minerals, and essential oils. Lovage root contains starch, sugar, tannins, coumarin, malic acid, resins, and gum.

Any part of the lovage contains essential oils in varying amounts. For example, in seeds they are up to 1.5%, in the root - about 0.5%, in fresh leaves - 0.25%. Essential oil in the form of a thick mixture of brown color is perfectly soluble in alcohol. Due to this feature, it is used in medicine.

Contraindications to the use of lovage

Women should not use lovage during pregnancy, as it promotes blood flow to the pelvic organs.
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