Lovage

Lovage ( Levisticum officinale)

Lovage ( Levisticum officinale), also lovage or Lu (t ) stock, in Styria also nut herb is a plant of the genus levisticum from the carrot family ( Apiaceae, Umbelliferae outdated ). The term " Lovage " was created by popular etymological word-formation from the Latin " levisticum ". The term " Maggi herb " was due to the similarity of taste Maggi seasoning with lovage; However, Maggi seasoning contains no lovage.

• 7.1 Notes and references

Description

Lovage is a hardy, perennial, herbaceous plant that can reach heights of growth of 1 to 2.5 m. The whole plant smells aromatic. The branched stem is intensely green. It is formed as a rhizome Überdauerungsorgan having a diameter of 4 to 5 cm. In particular, the lower leaves are long-petiolate. The leaf blade is feathered two - to threefold. The terminal leaflet is broadly triangular to ovate, 4-11 cm long and 2-7 cm wide. The stalked leaflets are two to three-lobed with few teeth.

The doppeldoldige inflorescence has a diameter of 12 cm, has seven to eleven bracts with white edges and contains 12 to 20 umbellules. The umbellules have eight to eleven Hüllchen and contain many flowers. The yellowish to pale green flowers are inconspicuous. The flowering period extends from June to August.

Brown fruit is 5-7 mm long and 3-4 mm wide. The fruits ripen from August to September.

The chromosome number is 2n = 22

System

Levisticum officinale was first described in 1824 by Wilhelm Daniel Joseph Koch in Novorum Actorum Academiae Caesareae Leopoldinae - Carolinae Naturae Curiosorum, 12 ( 1), 101, f 41. Synonyms for levisticum officinale WDJKoch are: Ligusticum levisticum L., Angelica levisticum All, levisticum levisticum Karsten, Hipposelinum levisticum (L.) Britton et Rose, Angelica paludapifolia Lam, levisticum paludapifolium ( Lam.) Asch, Levisticum officinale Rchb. .. ., L. officinale var vel subsp. Cultum Thellung, Selinum levisticum (L.) EHLKrause, levisticum vulgare Hill., levisticum vulgare Reichb ..

Origin and Distribution

Lovage is probably from the Near or Middle East, possibly from Persia. From there it came over the Mediterranean region to the rest of Europe. Wild it is found only in warm areas. Since it was also cultivated in vegetable and herb gardens, and is, it can also occur in places overgrown in colder regions of Europe.

Use

Culinary herb

The fresh lovage leaves are used as a spice, such as for soup, scrambled eggs, eggs mushrooms ( chanterelles ) or other mushroom dishes. The taste is reminiscent of the celery, but is sharper and more bitter. Finely chopped leaves can be used to flavor soups, salads, Obatzter and stews.

The dried seeds can be used as a condiment in the preparation of stews, roasts. The fruits are to be used as a flavoring component for cheese dishes, breads and pastries.

Pharmacology

Serve as a drug:

• The dried lovage fruits ( fructus Levistici ). They are used popularly in indigestion and flatulence as well as in the household as a spice.

• The in the summer months until the autumn, about a hand high cut, dried herb ( herba Levistici ). It is used in the household as a spice.

• The whole or cut, dried rhizome and roots ( Levistici radix). It contains essential oil with up to 70% Alkylphthaliden. It uses the drug for flushing therapy in urinary tract infections and prevention of renal gravel.

Since the furocoumarins contained in the drug are not water soluble, it is not expected at teas with phototoxic side effects.

In folk medicine Lovage is also used for menstrual disorders, and as an expectorant.

In homeopathy and anthroposophic medicine lovage, among other things given in otitis media.