438 Handbook of herbs and spices
26.1 Introduction
Lovage (Levisticum officinale W.D.J. Koch) has been grown for its aromatic
fragrances, ornamental aspects and medicinal properties for a long time and its use
can be traced back to ancient Rome. The plant was called by Diosecorides, ‘libysticon’
or ‘lygisticon’. Many authors considered its name to be derived from the Latin word
‘levare’ (lighten) (Hornok, 1992). According to Stuart (1989), the plant name is
derived from lovage,s reputation in many European countries as a love charm or
aphrodisiac.
Lovage is known as Celeri perpetuel in French; Badekraut in German; Levistico
in Italian; Ligustico in Spanish; Levistiko in Greek; Goritsvet in Russian; Selam otu
in Turkish; Robejji in Japan, and Anjedan e roomi in Iran.
In a 12th-century manuscript attributed to Roger of Salerno, there is an early
description of the use of a soporific mixture used to induce relief of pain in a patient
about to undergo surgery. This medication was composed of the bark of mandragora,
hyoscyamus and lovage seed, which were mixed together, ground and then applied
wet to the forehead of the patient (Corner, 1937). This herb was plentiful in monastery
gardens during the Middle Ages. Hildegard used it for soothing coughs and against
lung and chest complaints. It was also thought that lovage increased the urine flow
and expelled gas and so was used for kidney and intestinal complaints (Holtom and
Hylton, 1979).
26.1.1 Origin and habitat
Lovage is originally native to Southwest Asia (Hazaran Mountain; Kerman province;
Iran at an altitude of 2500–3400 m) and southern Europe but it is naturalized in many
temperate regions and has for a long time been cultivated elsewhere (Tutin, 1968;
Rechinger, 1987; Mozaffarian, 1996). It thrives on sunny mountain slopes (Chevallier,
1996).
26 Lovage........................................................................................................
M. H. Mirjalili, Shahid Beheshti University, Iran and
J. Javanmardi, Shiraz University, Iran