Lovage (Levisticum officinale)

Perennial growing to 1.8m/6ft high by 1m/3ft 3in wide. Leaf crop from early spring until late autumn – flowers from Jul to August. To get a continuous crop of fresh, young leaves through the summer, cut the plant down to ground level when flowering starts and it will regrow. Leaves and stems can be eaten raw or cooked. Lovage is used as a savoury flavouring in salads, soups, stews. The leaves can be used fresh or dried. A tea is made from the dried leaves – or try fresh leaves in a smoothie! Medicinally, Lovage is used as a warming and tonic herb for the digestive and respiratory systems. It is used primarily in the treatment of indigestion, poor appetite, wind, colic and bronchitis. Lovage works well as a poultice for wounds and swellings, having antiseptic and antibiotic properties.