LOVAGE / Ligusticum scoticum

A reputed aphrodisiac, but only in all probability as a result of misunderstanding the name Lovage, which was Loveache in Middle English, levesche in Old French (modern French is livèche), levisticum in late Latin, and thence to Ligusticum. It appears in Roumanian folklore as a protective plant that could be used as well as wormwood or hedge hyssop to repel evil forces (Beza).

It was used quite extensively in earlier times for medicinal purposes, particularly (in Scotland) to combat scurvy (Grigson. 1955), for the leaves and stalks are edible, “a plant much in use in the western parts [of Scotland and the Isles] as a food” (Pennant). The leaf stalks were blanched once like celery (the leaves taste rather like celery, too), and the young stems were also candied, like Angelica (Rohde). The roots can be candied, too, and the seeds furnish an oil that is used to flavour candy (Sanford).

Lovage is used for a sore throat remedy in Indiana. Cut up the root and fry it in lard, and apply that to the throat as a poultice (Tyler).