Lovage has a thick, fleshy, aromatic tasting/smelling root. Stems grow to four feet and leaves are large, shiny, and dark green. If bruised, leaves release an aromatic odor. Yellow flowers bloom in mid-summer, followed by the appearance of very aromatic yellowish-brown elliptical-shaped fruits. Lovage is grown from seeds that take 10-12 days to germinate. Every couple of years, plants should be dug up and the roots divided.
Lovage has long been used for culinary purposes. Its unique flavor combines a strong celery flavor with a hint of anise, making it a tasty addition to soups, stews, salads, meats, and potatoes. It has a naturally salty taste that makes it a salt substitute. Dried leaves are used in herbal tea.
History based on medicinal findings relates more to Lovage’s aromatic qualities rather than claims to cures. Roots and fruit are an aromatic stimulant and are used in stomach disorders and fever attacks and as a diuretic. Lovage once had a reputation for being an aphrodisiac and became a popular ingredient in love potions.