LOVAGE: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Lovage is a plant. The root and underground stem (rhizome) are used to make medicine.

Lovage is used for kidney damage in people with diabetes (diabetic nephropathy), indigestion, kidney stones, cough, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

In foods and beverages, lovage is used for flavoring.

In manufacturing, lovage is used as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetics.

How does it work ?

The chemicals in lovage might increase water loss through urination, and decrease spasms.

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for

Cough.
Kidney damage in people with diabetes (diabetic nephropathy).
Gas (flatulence).
Gout.
Indigestion (dyspepsia).
Infections of the kidney, bladder, or urethra (urinary tract infections or UTIs).
Kidney stones.
Liver disease.
Malaria.
Migraine.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Sore throat.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of lovage for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Lovage is LIKELY SAFE for most people when used in amounts commonly found in foods. It is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken as a medicine in appropriate amounts, short-term. Taking lovage may increase sensitivity to the sun. This might put you at greater risk for rashes from the sun, sunburns, and skin cancer. If you are taking lovage, wear sunblock and protective clothing outside, especially if you are light-skinned.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy: Lovage is LIKELY UNSAFE during pregnancy. There are some reports that it might cause the uterus to contract or start a menstrual period. This could cause a miscarriage.

Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if lovage is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

High blood pressure: There is a concern that lovage might increase the amount of sodium in the body, and that might increase blood pressure.

Kidney problems: Do not use lovage if you have poor kidney function.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with LOVAGE
Lovage seems to work like "water pills" by causing the body to lose water. Taking lovage along with other "water pills" might cause the body to lose too much water. Losing too much water can cause you to be dizzy and your blood pressure to go too low.

Some "water pills" include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, Microzide), and others.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of lovage depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for lovage. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

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Ashwood-Smith MJ, Ceska O, Yeoman A, et al. Photosensitivity from harvesting lovage (Levisticum officinale). Contact Dermatitis 1992;26(5):356-357. View abstract.

Simon JE, Chadwick.A.F., Craker E. Herbs: An Indexed Bibliography. 1971-1980. The Scientific Literature on Selected Herbs, and Aromatic and Medicinal Plants of the Temperate Zone. 1984.

Assessment report on Levisticum officinale Koch, radix. European Medicines Agency Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). 2012. https://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Herbal_-_HMPC_assessment_report/2012/05/WC500126833.pdf. Accessed August 10, 2017.

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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