Lovage tastes like celery turned up several notches — bolder, greener, with a faint anise edge. That flavor kept it in European kitchens for centuries. The medicinal side is narrower than most pages suggest.
The lovage plant (Levisticum officinale) has one medicinal use that European drug regulators have formally reviewed and accepted: as a traditional herbal medicine taken to increase urine output and flush the urinary tract, as an add-on for minor urinary complaints [European Medicines Agency monograph on lovage root, 2012]. Not a treatment for infection. Not a stone dissolver. And it carries limits that rarely make it into herb articles — a two-to-four-week cap on use, a pregnancy warning, and a sun-sensitivity problem that comes from the plant’s own chemistry.
What the lovage plant actually is
Lovage is a tall perennial in the Apiaceae family, the same botanical clan as carrot, celery, parsley, dill, and fennel. It reaches 3 to 6 feet, sends up hollow stems, and flowers in small greenish-yellow umbrella-shaped clusters in May and June [NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox]. Every part is edible — seeds in breads, leaves in soups and stews, roots and stems in the pot, and flowers scattered into salads, where they taste of celery.
Its origins are further east than most herb pages claim. Kew’s Plants of the World Online gives the native range as southern Iran to Afghanistan; everywhere else it grows — across Europe, into North America, Chile, and northern China — it arrived as an introduction [Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew].
A note on names, because they cause real confusion. “Sea parsley” and “Scotch lovage” refer to Ligusticum scothicum, a separate species from a separate genus that grows wild around subarctic northern coastlines [Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew]. Chinese lovage is a different Ligusticum again. If you’re buying lovage root for tea, the label should say Levisticum officinale.
In the United States, lovage is recognized as a food flavoring. The FDA lists it among natural flavoring substances permitted in food, and lovage extract carries FEMA GRAS status as a flavoring agent [21 CFR 172.510, eCFR; FDA Substances Added to Food inventory]. That’s a culinary clearance, not a medical endorsement — worth separating in your head, because the two get blurred constantly.
Cooking with lovage
Lovage is potent. A few leaves will flavor a whole pot of soup, and people who treat it like parsley usually regret it. The leaves suit stews, broths, potato dishes, and chicken; the seeds go into breads and cakes; the hollow stems can be blanched or used as a celery substitute.
The Herb Society of America notes that lovage served as a salt substitute in European kitchens during both world wars, and that ancient Greeks chewed the stems for gas and indigestion [The Herb Society of America, Lovage fact sheet]. It’s also why the plant carries the nickname “Maggi plant” — the flavor is reminiscent of the seasoning [NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox].
If you have lovage in the garden, the culinary route is where the plant earns its keep with the least risk attached.
What lovage root is used for medicinally
The European Medicines Agency’s herbal committee reviewed lovage root and issued a monograph in 2012. The accepted indication is narrow and worth reading in full: a “traditional herbal medicinal product used to increase the amount of urine to achieve flushing of the urinary tract as an adjuvant in minor urinary complaints” [EMA monograph on Levisticum officinale Koch, radix, 2012].
Three words in that sentence do a lot of work. Traditional means the classification rests on longstanding use, not on trial results. Flushing means diluting and moving urine through — the same principle as drinking more water, which is why fluid intake matters more than the herb does. Adjuvant means alongside something else, not instead of it.
The EMA’s own assessment is blunt about the evidence base: “There are no data available from controlled clinical studies, therefore the medicinal use … has to be regarded as traditional” [EMA assessment report on lovage root]. When the committee revisited the file in 2021 and screened 24 newer references, it found nothing that justified changing the monograph [EMA addendum to the assessment report on lovage root, 2021].
Where the evidence actually stands
| Claim | What supports it |
| Increases urine output to flush the urinary tract | Accepted by EMA as traditional use — based on long-standing use, not controlled trials |
| Helps minor urinary complaints alongside other care | Indirect. Human trial evidence exists for a three-herb combination product, not lovage alone |
| Eases gas, bloating, and sluggish digestion | Traditional use only. Listed in historical sources; no accepted regulatory indication |
| Treats urinary tract infections, dissolves kidney stones, regulates menstruation | Insufficient evidence. No controlled human data supports these |
| Contains furanocoumarins that can sensitize skin to sunlight | Well established — measured chemistry plus a well-characterized reaction |
The closest thing to human trial evidence deserves a careful reading. A double-blind trial of 659 women with acute uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections compared a herbal product (BNO 1045, containing centaury, lovage root, and rosemary leaf powders) against the antibiotic fosfomycin. In the per-protocol analysis, 83.5% of women on the herbal product avoided needing additional antibiotics, versus 89.8% on fosfomycin — a gap that fell within the study’s pre-specified non-inferiority margin [Wagenlehner et al., Urologia Internationalis, 2018]. It’s a real trial with a meaningful result, and it says nothing about lovage root by itself. The product contains three herbs, and no arm isolated lovage.
Animal work on the diuretic question is genuinely mixed rather than merely thin. Older studies in rabbits and mice showed a slight increase in urine volume; a study in rats found lovage root did not induce diuresis at all [EMA assessment report on lovage root]. Presenting lovage as a proven diuretic overstates what’s there.
What about lovage for gas and digestion?
This is lovage’s other historical reputation, and it’s worth being straight about its status. Traditional sources list lovage for flatulent colic, heartburn, and loss of appetite, and the Herb Society of America records ancient Greeks chewing the stems for gas and indigestion [EMA assessment report on lovage root; The Herb Society of America]. The EMA had all of that in front of it and accepted only the urinary indication. No digestive claim made it into the monograph.
That doesn’t make the tradition worthless — carminative use of aromatic Apiaceae seeds is ancient and widespread, and it’s the same reasoning behind bee balm’s traditional use for flatulence and abdominal spasms. It does mean the honest framing is “traditionally used,” not “proven to help.” If digestive symptoms are your actual problem, our guide to which herbs for stomach issues have evidence behind them sorts the options by what the research supports.
How lovage root tea is prepared and dosed
The EMA monograph on Levisticum officinale Koch, radix, 2012 gives a specific preparation, and it is more conservative than the amounts floating around herb sites:
- Single dose: 2–3 g of comminuted (cut or coarsely ground) lovage root in 150 ml of boiling water as an infusion
- Frequency: twice daily
- Average daily dose: 4–6 g of dried root
- Duration: not to be used for more than 2–4 weeks
Drink plenty of water alongside it. An infusion taken while you’re under-hydrated works against the point of taking it. The same logic governs the whole class — goldenrod carries a nearly identical flushing indication — and it’s why fluid intake comes before any food or herb in a bladder and kidney routine.
Culinary amounts — leaves in a soup, seeds in a loaf — are a different matter and are not what the dosing above refers to.
Side effects, cautions, and who should skip lovage
Lovage’s official listed side effects are sparse: the EMA monograph records “none known” for undesirable effects, with the instruction to consult a doctor if any occur [EMA monograph on lovage root, 2012]. That reflects a thin reporting record, not a guarantee of safety. The meaningful cautions come from the plant’s chemistry and from where regulators drew contraindication lines.
Sun sensitivity is the caution most articles miss
The culprits are furanocoumarins — the same family of compounds that makes celery, parsnip, and lime notorious for skin reactions. A 2023 analysis quantified four major coumarins in lovage root at 1.7–2.9 mg/g in fresh roots and 15–24 mg/g in dried roots, with pimpinellin the most abundant across every sample [Olennikov, Metabolites, 2023]. Fresh roots have also been measured for psoralen and 5-methoxypsoralen at a few micrograms per gram [EMA assessment report on lovage root].
Furanocoumarins on skin plus ultraviolet light produces phytophotodermatitis: inflammation and often blistering within 24 to 48 hours of sun exposure, frequently in streaks or drip shapes that trace where the sap landed. The dark pigmentation left behind can persist for years [DermNet, phytophotodermatitis]. It isn’t an allergy — it’s a chemical burn triggered by light, so anyone can get it.
Practical takeaway: the EMA advises that with prolonged use of lovage root, exposure to ultraviolet light and intense sunbathing should be avoided [EMA assessment report on lovage root]. If you’re handling large amounts of fresh plant — harvesting, dividing roots, processing a big cut — wear gloves and wash your forearms before going out in the sun.
Who should avoid lovage as a medicine
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. The EMA does not recommend use, citing absent safety data; the assessment report points to potential uterine-stimulating and emmenagogue effects [EMA monograph and assessment report on lovage root]. Clinical drug references likewise list pregnancy as a contraindication [Drugs.com natural products monograph on lovage, 2025]. The traditional “brings on menstruation” reputation is not a selling point — it’s the reason to stay away while pregnant.
- Kidney disease. Lovage preparations should not be used where there is acute inflammation of the kidney tissue with impaired kidney function [EMA assessment report on lovage root]. The EMA’s combined diuretic-herbs monograph, which includes lovage root, contraindicates these products in “conditions where a reduced fluid intake is recommended (e.g. severe cardiac or renal disease)” [EMA monograph on Species diureticae].
- Fluid retention from heart or kidney problems. Flushing therapy is specifically ruled out when swelling stems from limited heart or kidney function [EMA assessment report on lovage root].
- Children and teens under 18. Not recommended, because urinary symptoms at those ages warrant medical assessment [EMA monograph on lovage root, 2012].
- Anyone allergic to the carrot family. The single formal contraindication in the monograph is hypersensitivity to lovage, to other Apiaceae plants, or to anethole [EMA monograph on lovage root, 2012]. If celery, carrot, fennel, or mugwort pollen causes you trouble, treat lovage with the same caution — and note that celery itself carries psoralens for the same reason lovage does.
Medication interactions
Lovage contains coumarin derivatives and compounds that inhibit platelet aggregation, which creates a theoretical risk of potentiating warfarin. The EMA also advises that lovage-containing products be stopped in advance of surgery [EMA assessment report on lovage root]. Drug references phrase it more directly: lovage root “may increase the risk of bleeding in patients receiving anticoagulants such as warfarin” [Drugs.com natural products monograph on lovage, 2025].
Sources disagree on how much this matters. The EMA frames it as theoretical, with no case reports attached; clinical databases state it as a practical interaction. Neither position rests on human interaction studies, because none have been done. If you take warfarin, apixaban, clopidogrel, or any other blood thinner, run lovage past your doctor or pharmacist before starting rather than after.
Because the herb is meant to increase urine output, also raise it with your doctor if you take prescription diuretics or lithium.
Don’t forage lovage from the wild
Garden lovage is easy. Wild Apiaceae are not. This family contains poison hemlock, whose modern poisonings are usually the result of mistaken identity, and which shares the same white root, hollow stem, and umbrella flower head that make a plant look like something edible [National Capital Poison Center]. Poison hemlock can cause symptoms within 15 minutes and progress to respiratory failure [Cleveland Clinic]. The EMA’s 2021 safety review turned up a case of aconitine poisoning caused by lovage being confused with another plant [EMA addendum to the assessment report on lovage root, 2021].
Buy lovage from a labeled source or grow it yourself from identified seed. If someone swallows a plant you can’t identify, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or use webPOISONCONTROL online; call 911 for trouble breathing, seizures, or collapse.
One more household note: NC State Extension flags lovage as poisonous to cats, dogs, and horses [NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox].
When urinary symptoms need a doctor, not a tea
Lovage root is positioned as an adjuvant for minor complaints. The moment symptoms stop looking minor, the herb is the wrong tool. The EMA monograph names the specific triggers for medical advice: fever, painful urination, spasms, or blood in the urine [EMA monograph on lovage root, 2012].
Get medical care promptly for:
- Fever, chills, or shaking
- Pain in your flank, side, or back
- Blood in your urine
- Nausea and vomiting alongside urinary symptoms
- Symptoms that don’t improve within a couple of days, or that keep coming back
- Any urinary symptoms during pregnancy, or in a child
- Urinary symptoms if you have diabetes, kidney disease, a catheter, or a weakened immune system
Untreated urinary infections can move to the kidneys and, from there, into the bloodstream. That’s the reason the two-to-four-week ceiling exists — an herb taken to flush minor irritation should not become a way to postpone a diagnosis. If you’re weighing herbal support alongside proper care, our overview of herbal remedies for the urinary system covers where these plants fit and where they don’t.
| Health Disclaimer: The information on this page is for education only. It is not medical advice, and it is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified professional. Herbal products can interact with prescription medications and can be unsafe with certain health conditions. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting lovage — particularly if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have kidney or heart disease, take a blood thinner or a diuretic, or are giving anything to a child. If you have a medical emergency, call 911. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lovage the same as celery?
No. Lovage (Levisticum officinale) and celery (Apium graveolens) are separate species in the same family, Apiaceae [Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew]. The flavors overlap, which is why lovage is often described as celery’s stronger relative, but they are different plants with different growth habits — lovage is a perennial that can top 6 feet [NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox].
How much lovage root tea is safe to drink?
The European monograph specifies 2–3 g of cut root in 150 ml of boiling water, twice a day, for an average of 4–6 g daily, and not for longer than 2–4 weeks [EMA monograph on lovage root, 2012]. Older folk recipes often call for considerably more, over longer stretches, without the safety limits attached. Check with your doctor before starting, and stop at the four-week mark.
Can lovage help pass a kidney stone?
There’s no controlled human evidence that lovage dissolves stones or helps pass them. Traditional sources list it for “renal gravel,” and the EMA reviewed those sources without accepting a stone-related indication [EMA assessment report on lovage root]. Stones are worth a proper diagnosis — size and location determine treatment, and severe stone pain is an urgent care or ER matter.
Does lovage really cause sun sensitivity?
The chemistry supporting this is solid. Lovage root contains furanocoumarins at measurable levels [Olennikov, Metabolites, 2023], and furanocoumarins plus UV light are a known cause of phytophotodermatitis — blistering that can leave pigment behind for years [DermNet]. The EMA advises avoiding intense sun exposure with prolonged use [EMA assessment report on lovage root]. The risk is highest for people handling fresh plant material, not for someone using leaves in a soup.
Is lovage safe during pregnancy?
No — avoid it as a medicine. The EMA does not recommend lovage root during pregnancy or breastfeeding because safety hasn’t been established, and the assessment notes possible uterine-stimulating effects [EMA monograph and assessment report on lovage root]. Drug references list pregnancy as a contraindication [Drugs.com, 2025]. If you’re pregnant and have urinary symptoms, that’s a same-week call to your doctor, not a tea.
Can I take lovage with my blood pressure or blood thinner medication?
Ask your doctor or pharmacist first. Lovage contains coumarin derivatives, and there’s a theoretical risk of increasing warfarin’s effect; the EMA also recommends stopping lovage products before surgery [EMA assessment report on lovage root]. Because lovage is taken specifically to increase urine output, it also warrants a conversation if you take prescription diuretics.
References
- European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products. Community herbal monograph on Levisticum officinale Koch, radix. EMA/HMPC/524621/2011. Adopted 20 November 2012. View source
- European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products. Assessment report on Levisticum officinale Koch, radix (final). View source
- European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products. Addendum to assessment report on Levisticum officinale W.D.J. Koch, radix. Adopted 24 November 2021. View source
- European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products. European Union herbal monograph on Species diureticae (includes Levisticum officinale Koch, radix). View source
- Wagenlehner FM, Abramov-Sommariva D, Höller M, Steindl H, Naber KG. Non-Antibiotic Herbal Therapy (BNO 1045) versus Antibiotic Therapy (Fosfomycin Trometamol) for the Treatment of Acute Lower Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in Women. Urologia Internationalis. 2018;101(3):327–336. DOI 10.1159/000493368. View source
- Olennikov DN. Coumarins of Lovage Roots (Levisticum officinale W.D.J.Koch): LC-MS Profile, Quantification, and Stability during Postharvest Storage. Metabolites. 2023;13(1):3. DOI 10.3390/metabo13010003. View source
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Levisticum officinale W.D.J.Koch — Plants of the World Online. View source
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Ligusticum scothicum L. — Plants of the World Online. View source
- NC State Extension. Levisticum officinale — North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. NC State University and N.C. A&T State University. View source
- US Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR 172.510 — Natural flavoring substances and natural substances used in conjunction with flavors. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. View source
- US Food and Drug Administration. Substances Added to Food inventory — Lovage extract (Levisticum officinale Koch), CAS 977091-63-6, FEMA 2650. View source
- The Herb Society of America. Lovage, Levisticum officinale — Did You Know? fact sheet. View source
- DermNet. Phytophotodermatitis. DermNet, New Zealand. View source
- Drugs.com. Lovage Uses, Benefits & Dosage — Natural Products Database professional monograph. Last updated 18 August 2025. View source
- National Capital Poison Center. Can poison hemlock be deadly? Poison Control. View source
- Cleveland Clinic. Hemlock Poisoning: Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention. View source
