Lovage

Levisticum officinale

Historical tradition – not medical advice, and no health or healing claims. more

Historical botanical drawing: Lovage — Lovage

Tradition (Hildegard's writings)

In Hildegard's tradition, lovage was associated with the throat and the airways.

Ingredients

The leaves and fresh herb are used, as well as the dried root.

Note

The literature states plainly that compresses on the throat should only be used under medical supervision. Hildegard herself considered the raw plant unfavourable and recommended using lovage only together with other seasonings.

Botanical background

Lovage belongs to the carrot family (Apiaceae) and grows one to one and a half metres tall. Its umbels are compound, with bracts and bracteoles, and the individual flowers are yellow-green. Dried pieces of root show a porous woody core and pale bark, with dark balsam ducts; the smell is penetrating. That smell recalls meat broth and earned the plant the German nickname Maggikraut — although the seasoning of that name contains no lovage at all. The plant was known in medieval Germany; Hildegard calls it moderately warm in her Physica and describes warm compresses of lovage and ground ivy for the neck, as well as a wine steeped with sage and fennel. Essential oils can be obtained from the roots.

Sources & references

Hildegard von Bingen: Heilsame Schöpfung. Die natürliche Wirkkraft der Dinge (Physica). Hrsg. von der Abtei St. Hildegard, Eibingen. Beuroner Kunstverlag 2012 (4. Auflage 2024). Cap. 1-139.
Strehlow, Wighard: Die Hildegard-Naturapotheke. Heilmittel und Rezepte von A bis Z. Knaur Verlag 2014.
Strehlow, Wighard: Der Hildegard-Kompass. Die wichtigsten Heilmittel und Anwendungen. Knaur Verlag 2014.

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More preparations using Lovage

Lovage Compress Lovage Juice

Historical tradition. The above describes how this preparation was recorded and used in the tradition of Hildegard of Bingen. This is cultural-historical information, not medical advice and not a health or healing claim, and it is no substitute for advice from a doctor or pharmacist. If you have health complaints, please consult your doctor or pharmacy.

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