Lovage is a plant. The root and underground stem (rhizome) are used to make medicine.
Lovage is used for kidney damage in people with diabetes (diabetic nephropathy), indigestion, kidney stones, cough, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In foods and beverages, lovage is used for flavoring.
In manufacturing, lovage is used as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetics.
Is It Effective?
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
- Cough.
- Kidney damage in people with diabetes (diabetic nephropathy).
- Gas (flatulence).
- Gout.
- Indigestion (dyspepsia).
- Infections of the kidney, bladder, or urethra (urinary tract infections or UTIs).
- Kidney stones.
- Liver disease.
- Malaria.
- Migraine.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- Sore throat.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of lovage for these uses.
Is it Safe?
The chemicals in lovage might increase water loss through urination, and decrease spasms.
When taken by mouth: Lovage is LIKELY SAFE for most people when used in amounts commonly found in foods. It is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken as a medicine in appropriate amounts, short-term. Taking lovage may increase sensitivity to the sun. This might put you at greater risk for rashes from the sun, sunburns, and skin cancer. If you are taking lovage, wear sunblock and protective clothing outside, especially if you are light-skinned.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: Lovage is LIKELY UNSAFE during pregnancy. There are some reports that it might cause the uterus to contract or start a menstrual period. This could cause a miscarriage.
Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if lovage is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
High blood pressure: There is a concern that lovage might increase the amount of sodium in the body, and that might increase blood pressure.
Kidney problems: Do not use lovage if you have poor kidney function.
Water pills (Diuretic drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Lovage seems to work like "water pills" by causing the body to lose water. Taking lovage along with other "water pills" might cause the body to lose too much water. Losing too much water can cause you to be dizzy and your blood pressure to go too low.
Some "water pills" include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, Microzide), and others.
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
There are no known interactions with foods.
The appropriate dose of lovage depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for lovage. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Ache des Montagnes, Angelica levisticum, Angélique de Montagne, Apio de Monte, Céleri Perpétuel, Herbe à Maggi, Hipposelinum levisticum, Lavose, Levistici Radix, Levístico, Levisticum officinale, Levisticum officinalis, Lévistique Officinale, Ligusticum levisticum, Livèche, Love Parsley, Maggi Plant, Persil d'Amour, Sea Parsley, Smallage, Smellage, Szechuan Lovage.
Information on this website is for informational use only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While evidence-based, it is not guaranteed to be error-free and is not intended to meet any particular user’s needs or requirements or to cover all possible uses, safety concerns, interactions, outcomes, or adverse effects. Always check with your doctor or other medical professional before making healthcare decisions (including taking any medication) and do not delay or disregard seeking medical advice or treatment based on any information displayed on this website.
© TRC Healthcare 2024. All rights reserved. Use and/or distribution is permitted only pursuant to a valid license or other permission from TRC Healthcare.