Quick summary
Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is a medicinal and culinary herb belonging to the Apiaceae family, traditionally used in various herbal medicinal systems. It is known to contain phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity comparable to other Apiaceae herbs. Despite extensive phytochemical and ethnobotanical data, robust clinical evidence for medicinal benefits of lovage itself is currently lacking, and research is ongoing.
What is it
Lovage is a perennial herb native to the Mediterranean and parts of Europe, commonly used both in cooking and in traditional herbal medicine. It belongs to the same plant family as parsley, celery, and carrots (Apiaceae). The herb has a distinctive aromatic flavor and is used to flavor foods as well as in herbal preparations.
Traditional uses
Traditionally, lovage has been used in herbal systems for digestive support, as a diuretic, and for urinary tract ailments. It is often included among Apiaceae family herbs employed for their potential antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in the management of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and related conditions.
Active compounds
Lovage contains a variety of phenolic compounds, which have been identified as contributors to its antioxidant properties. These phytochemicals are comparable to those found in related Apiaceae species and are believed to contribute to its traditional medicinal effects.
Potential benefits with evidence levels
- Antioxidant activity
Evidence level: Preclinical and phytochemical analyses.
Details: Lovage contains phenolic compounds contributing to antioxidant effects comparable to related Apiaceae species, as determined by chemical assays. (Ulewicz-Magulska & Wesolowski, 2023) - Potential antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects in urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Evidence level: Traditional use and general herbal medicine reviews.
Details: Lovage, as a member of medicinal Apiaceae herbs, is part of traditional herbal approaches for urinary tract infections due to antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of related plants. However, no direct clinical trials or systematic reviews specifically focused on lovage for UTIs were identified. (Saddam et al., 2026; Hsu et al., 2025)
Side effects
No reliable data on adverse effects of lovage in human clinical studies are currently available. There have been no reports of severe or frequent adverse reactions linked specifically to lovage use in the literature reviewed.
Drug interactions
No direct evidence on drug interactions involving lovage was found in the current scientific literature. While herb-drug interactions are possible with herbal medicines in general, no specific interactions have been documented for lovage to date (Fasinu et al., 2012).
Who should avoid it
There are no herb-specific contraindications identified for lovage. However, as with many herbal medicines lacking comprehensive safety profiles, general caution is recommended. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid or use lovage with caution due to insufficient safety data (Kennedy et al., 2016).
Evidence limitations
- Lack of clinical trials or randomized controlled trials specifically investigating the efficacy and safety of lovage.
- Most available evidence is preclinical, phytochemical, or ethnobotanical in nature without rigorous human data.
- No standardized formulations or dosages have been evaluated in clinical contexts.
- Potential benefits are largely extrapolated from properties common to Apiaceae herbs, not confirmed specifically for lovage.
- Safety and drug interaction profiles in humans remain insufficiently characterized.
References
- Ulewicz-Magulska B, Wesolowski M. Antioxidant Activity of Medicinal Herbs and Spices from Plants of the Lamiaceae, Apiaceae and Asteraceae Families: Chemometric Interpretation of the Data. 2023.
- Saddam M, Mishra SK, Singh N, et al. A comprehensive review on herbal approaches for treatment of urinary tract infections: Scope and challenges. 2026.
- Hsu YT, Wu HC, Tsai CC, et al. Plant Extracts and Natural Compounds for the Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections in Women: Mechanisms, Efficacy, and Therapeutic Potential. 2025.
- Kranz J, Lackner J, Künzel U, et al. Original Article Phytotherapy in Adults With Recurrent Uncomplicated Cystitis. 2022.
- Kennedy DA, Lupattelli A, Koren G, Nordeng H. Safety classification of herbal medicines used in pregnancy in a multinational study. 2016.
- Fasinu PS, Bouic PJ, Rosenkranz B. An overview of the evidence and mechanisms of herb-drug interactions. 2012.
Last reviewed
April 2024
Informational disclaimer: This page provides an overview of scientific evidence and traditional uses related to lovage (Levisticum officinale). It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult a healthcare professional before starting any herbal therapy, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have existing health conditions, or are taking medication.