Common Name: |
Scot's Lovage |
Other Names: |
Sea Lovage |
Botanical Name: |
Ligusticum scoticum |
Genus: |
Ligusticum |
Family: |
Apiaceae |
Native Locations: |
Europe, Greenland, N America |
Cultivation: |
Well-drained to dry soil in sun. Ligusticum sinense tolerats damp conditions. Ligusticum porteri is challenging to cultivate at low elevations. |
Propagation: |
By seed sown in spring: by division in autumn. |
Harvest: |
Leaves and stems (L. scoticum) are cut in spring for use as a vegetable and at any time as a flavoring. Roots are lifted in autumn and used fresh or dried for oil extraction. (L. porteri), decoctions and tinctures. Seeds are collected when ripe and ground (L. scoticum) or distilled for oil (L. porteri). Roots are lifted in autumn and dried for decoctions (L. sinense). |
Height: |
5-90cm (16-36in) |
Width: |
10-60cm (4-24in) |
Hardiness: |
Z4-8 |
Parts Used: |
Leaves, stems, seeds |
Properties: |
An aromatic, diuretic herb that improves digestion and stimulates the circulation and uterus. |
Medicinal Uses: |
Once used to treat digestive problems, uterine disorders, and rheumatism. |
Culinary Uses: |
Young leaves and stalks have a pungent, celery-like flavor, and are eaten raw (notably in the Hebrides, as shunis), cooked, or added to soups and stews. |
Economic Uses: |
Seeds are ground as a condiment and used to improve the taste of medicines. |
Bibliography: |
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pp 260-261 |