About Lovage Plants, Herbs and Flowers

This native of the Mediterranean can now be found naturalized throughout the temperate regions of the world, including Australia, North America and Scandinavia.

Lovage was used by the ancient Greeks, who chewed the seed to aid digestion and relieve flatulence. Knowledge of it was handed down to Benedictine monks by the Romans, who prescribed the seeds for the same complaints. In Europe a decoction of lovage was reputedly a good aphrodisiac that no witch worthy of the name could be without. The name is likely to have come from the Latin ligusticum', after Liguria in Italy, where the herb grew profusely.

Because lovage leaves have a deodorising and antiseptic effect on the skin, they were laid in the shoes of traveller.1' in the Middle Ages to revive their weary feet, like latter-day odour eaters.

SPECIES

Levisticum officinale

Lovage Hardy perennial. Ht up to 2m (6ft), spread lm (3ft) or more. Tiny, pale, greenish-yellow flowers in summer clusters. Leaves darkish green, deeply divided, and large toothed. A close relation, Ligusticum scoticum, shorter with white clusters of flowers, is sometimes called lovage. It can be used in the same culinary way, but lacks its strong flavor and the growth.

CULTIVATION

Propagation

Seed

Sow under protection in spring into prepared plug or seed trays and cover with Perlite; a bottom heat of 15°C (60°F) is helpful. When the seedlings are large enough to handle and after a period of hardening off, transplant into a prepared site in the garden 60cm (2ft) apart.

Division

The roots of an established planl can be divided in the spring or autumn. Make sure that each division has some new buds showing.

Pests and Diseases

Leaf miners are sometimes a problem. Watch out for the first tunnels, pick off the affected leaves and destroy them, otherwise broad dry pathes will develop and the leaves will start to wither away. To control this, cut the plant right down to the ground, burning the affected shoots. Give the plant a feed and it will shoot with new growth. The young growth is just what one needs for cooking.

Maintenance

Spring: Divide established plants.

Summer: Clip established plants to encourage new shoots.

Autumn: Sow seed in garden.

Winter: No need for protection.

Garden Cultivation

Lovage prefers a rich, moist but well-drained soil. Prior to first planting, dig lhe ground over deeply and manure well. The site can he either in full sun or partial shade. Seeds are best sown in the garden in the autumn. When the seedlings are large enough, thin to 60cm (2ft) apart. It is important that lovage has a period of dormancy so that it can complete the growth cycle. Lovage is a tall plant, so position it carefully. It will reach its full size in 3-5 years. To keep the leaves voting and producing new shoots, Cut around the edges of the clumps.

Harvest

After the plant has (lowered the leaves tend to have more of a bitter taste so harvest in early summer. I personally believe that lovage does not dry that well and it is best to freeze it. (See page 237 and use the Parsley technique).

Harvest seed heads when the seeds start to turn brown. Pick them on a dry day, tie a paper bag over their heads, and hang upside down in a dry, airy place. Use, like celery seed, for winter soups.

Dig the root for drying in the autumn of the second or third season.

CONTAINER GROWING

Lovage is line grown outside in a large container. To keep it looking good, keep it well-clipped. I do not advise letting it run to flower unless von can support it. Remember at flowering stage, even in a pot, it can be in excess of 1.5m (5ft) tall.

CULINARY

Lovage is an essential member of any culinary herb collection. The flavor is reminiscent of celery. It adds a meaty flavor to foods and is used in soups, stews and stocks. Also add fresh young leaves to salads, and rub on chicken, and round salad bowls.

Crush seeds in bread and pastries, sprinkle on salads, rice and mashed potato.

If using the rootstock as a vegetable in casseroles, remove the bitter tasting skin.

Lovage Soup

Heroes 4 25g (loz) butter 2 medium onions, finely chopped 500g(1lb) potatoes, peeled and diced4           tablespoons finely chopped lovage leaves S50ml (1 'A pints) chicken or vegetable stock 300ml {'A pint) milk or 1I cup cream Orated nutmeg Salt and pepper Melt the butter in a heavy pan and gently saute the onions and diced potatoes for 5            minutes until soft. Add the chopped lovage leaves and cook for 1 minute. Pour inthe stock, bring to the boil, season with salt and pepper, cover and simmer gently until the potatoes are soft (about 15 minutes). Puree the soup through a sieve or liquidizer and return to a clean pan. Blend in the milk or cream, sprinkle on a pinch of nutmeg ai>d heat through. Do not boil OR IT WILL CURDLE. Adjust seasoning. Delicious hot or cold. Serve garnished with chopped lovage leaves.

Lovage and Carrot

Serves 2

2 teaspoons chopped lovage leaves 3 carrots, grated 1 apple, grated 125g (5oz) plain oghurt 2 tablespoons mayonnaise I teaspoon salt (if needed) Lettuce leaves 1 onion sliced into rings Chives .

Toss together the grated carrots, apple, lovage, mayonnaise and yoghurt. Arrange the lettuce leaves on a serving dish and fill with the lovage mixture. Decorate with a few raw onions rings, chives and tiny lovage leaves

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Lovage as a Vegetable

Treat lovage as you would spinach. Use the young growth of the plant stalks and leaves. Strip the leaves from the stalks, wash, and (in the stalks up into segments. Bring a pan of water to the boil add the lovage, bring the water back to the boil, cover, and simmer for about 5-7 minutes until tender. Strain the water. Make a white sauce using butter, flour, milk, salt, pepper and grated nutmeg. Add the lovage. Serve and wait for the comments!

MEDICINAL

Lovage is a remedy for digestive difficulties, gastric catarrh and flatulence. I know of 1 recipe from the West Country - a teaspoon of lovage seed steeped in a glass of brandy, strained and sweetened with sugar. It is taken to settle an upset stomach!

Infuse either seed, leaf or root and take to reduce water retention. Lovage assists in the removal of waste products, acts as a deodorizer, and aids rheumatism.

Its deodorizing and antiseptic properties enable certain skin problems to respond to a decoction added to bath water. This is made with 45-60g (1 V2-2oz) of root stock in 600ml (1 pint) water. Add to your bath.