Page 105 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

problems such as colitis, inflammatory bowel disease,
Lovage, and other diseases caused by inflammation.
Levisticum officinale Painful Joints: Painful joints from any cause, espe-
cially gout and arthritis, respond to treatment with lov-
Lovage is native to Southern Europe, is easy to culti- age root both internally and externally. It reduces in-
vate in the garden, and has naturalized in Eastern flammation and lets the joints heal.
North America. It has a celery-like taste and is in the
Apiaceae/ Umbelliferae (Celery/ Parsley /Carrot) Respiratory Problems: Lovage roots and leaves
Family. help increase airflow and oxygen to the body. It loosens
phlegm in the lungs and calms irritation.
Identification: Lovage grows to a height of 6 feet
(1.8m). The plant is erect and its stems and leaves Anti-Histamine: Lovage is a natural anti-
histamine that helps fight al-
are hairless with a celery scent. Stems are thick
and celery-like with additional flat lobed lergy symptoms. Quercetin,
pinnate leaves. Yellow to greenish-yellow found in lovage, stops the release
flowers, approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) in of histamines and soothes the irri-
diameter, bloom in late spring. Flowers tations caused by the allergy. Use
grow in umbels 4 to 6 inches (10 cm to Lovage Tea internally and apply a de-
15 cm) in diameter. Fruit matures in coction or oil for external relief of skin
autumn, forming a 2-part seed. rashes or irritations.
Prevents Kidney Stones and
Edible Use: Lovage is edible
and a good addition wherever you Helps UTIs: For patients who have a history
would normally use celery. The taste is stronger than of kidney stones or urinary tract infections, try Lovage
celery. The leaves can be used as a salad green or Root Tea or Tincture. It acts as a diuretic and increases
brewed into a tea. The seeds are used as a flavoring the flow of urine without electrolyte loss. This flushing
spice. Lovage is nutritionally healthy, adding B-com- action helps prevent kidney stones from building in the
plex vitamins and vitamin C to the diet. kidneys.
Supports a Healthy Menstrual Cycle:
Medicinal Use: Lovage root and leaves are effec-
tively used in teas, decoctions, infusions, and tinctures. Women can take Lovage Tea a day or two before their
Leaves and roots can be added to bath water and foot menstrual flow begins. It relieves cramping and bloat-
soaks. All parts of the plant are medicinally active. ing due to menstruation.
Soothes the Digestive Tract: Lovage seeds are Harvesting: Harvest leaves before the plant flowers
effective in treating digestive problems and relieving and use fresh or dry them for future use. Roots are har-
intestinal gas. Simply chew the seeds for a quick rem- vested from plants that are 3 years old or older. Dig up
edy for digestive upsets, bloating, and gas. the roots in au-
tumn or early
Skin Conditions and Inflammations, Der- spring.
matitis, Acne, Psoriasis, Rashes: I prefer lov- Recipes. Lov-
age root preparations for skin inflammations. The root
pieces can be added to bathwater for a long soak or age Tea: You’ll
simmered in water to make a decoction for application need one tea-
to the affected areas. Lovage Leaf Oil Extract is also ef- spoon of dried
fective for applications to infections, wounds, and lovage or 1 table-
treating inflamed skin. spoon of fresh
lovage leaves and
Reduces Inflammation and Irritation in 1 cup of boiling
the Body: Lovage is soothing throughout the body. water. Pour the
It reduces irritation and inflammation that causes boiling water
over the lovage

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