Levisticum, Lovage
Hipposelinum
Sisaliyus (Unani)
Sisaliyus (Unani)
Kurtzes Handtbuchlein, Ryff, 1599
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New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563
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Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578
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Flora von Deutschland (27), Kohler, 1886
Botanical name:
Levisticum officinale
Ligusticum chinensis (syn. L. sinensis, L. wallichi) is the Chinese Lovage Ligusticum Chuan Xiong.
Parts used:
Root; also the Seed and Leaf
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Pungent
Classifications:
Dissolvent, attenuant, carminative (Avicenna)
3E. DIURETIC. 3G. EMMENAGOGUE
4h. NEPHRITIC
Levisticum officinale
Ligusticum chinensis (syn. L. sinensis, L. wallichi) is the Chinese Lovage Ligusticum Chuan Xiong.
Parts used:
Root; also the Seed and Leaf
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Pungent
Classifications:
Dissolvent, attenuant, carminative (Avicenna)
3E. DIURETIC. 3G. EMMENAGOGUE
4h. NEPHRITIC
Uses:
1. Moves the Blood, Promotes Menstruation: (West, TCM)
-delayed, short or scanty Menstruation; Amenorrhea, Irregular Menstruation
-Uterine Pain or obstruction
-promotes Labor and Birth; expels Afterbirth and Dead Fetus
-'it enhances breeding activity in animals'. (Avicenna)
-Ligusticum Chuan Xiong and Western Lovage are used very similarly in this respect
2. Settles Wind, Moves the Blood, Eases Pain: (West, TCM)
-Headache, Dizziness, numbness, insomnia
-benefits the Heart; adjunct in Heart diseases, Palpitations, Angina
-Ligusticum Chuan Xiong and Western Lovage are used very similarly in this respect
3. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine: (West)
-opens obstruction of the Liver and Spleen, Jaundice
-difficult Urination, Edema, Gravel
-Rheumatism, Wind-Cold pain
4. Warms and Strengthens the Stomach: (West)
-wind, colic, indigestion
-moistens the bowels, gently promotes the bowels
5. Resists Poison: (West)
-Fevers
-Epidemic and Pestilential diseases
-acute sore throat
6. Clears Phlegm, Stops Wheezing:
-dissolve congealed Phlegm' (Avicenna)
-’cures Asthma’. (Schroder)
7. Externally:
-externally in Baths, Cataplasms, and Plasters for Wounds
-used as a gargle for Sore Throat and Tonsillitis (water or decoction)
-used as a wash for Spots and Freckles (water, infusion)
-used as a wash to clear the Eyes and benefit Eyesight
-applied to Boils and Carbuncles (fresh leaf applied)
-pimples and boils of the legs or vagina, apply distilled water of the leaf and stalk.
DOSE:
In Decoction: 3–9 grams;
In Powder: 1–3 grams
NOTE:
1. Sichuan Lovage (Chuan Xiong) is closely related and is used similarly. It clears Wind, moves the Blood and Qi, resolves Stasis and Eases Pain. Primarily used for Menstrual disorders with pain or obstructed Menstruation. It is also a special medicine for Headache and Dizziness as it clears Wind and regulates the Blood. The use is so similar as to consider Lovage and Ligusticum Chuan Xiong to be almost synonymous in use.
2. TCM also uses Ligusticum sinenses Gao Ben. This is used for external Wind-Cold common cold and Influenza, especially with Headache and nasal congestion. Western Lovage is used more similarly to Ligusticum Chuan Xiong then Ligusticum Gao Ben.
2. Lovage Seed was often preferred in classical Western formula. In general, it has similar functions to the root.
SUBSTITUTE:
The Chinese Ligusticum Chuan Xiong may be used for Lovage, especially for Headaches and Gynecological disorders.
In Decoction: 3–9 grams;
In Powder: 1–3 grams
NOTE:
1. Sichuan Lovage (Chuan Xiong) is closely related and is used similarly. It clears Wind, moves the Blood and Qi, resolves Stasis and Eases Pain. Primarily used for Menstrual disorders with pain or obstructed Menstruation. It is also a special medicine for Headache and Dizziness as it clears Wind and regulates the Blood. The use is so similar as to consider Lovage and Ligusticum Chuan Xiong to be almost synonymous in use.
2. TCM also uses Ligusticum sinenses Gao Ben. This is used for external Wind-Cold common cold and Influenza, especially with Headache and nasal congestion. Western Lovage is used more similarly to Ligusticum Chuan Xiong then Ligusticum Gao Ben.
2. Lovage Seed was often preferred in classical Western formula. In general, it has similar functions to the root.
SUBSTITUTE:
The Chinese Ligusticum Chuan Xiong may be used for Lovage, especially for Headaches and Gynecological disorders.
Main Combinations:
Ligusticum Chuang Xiong and Angelica Dang Gui
Gynecology, Obstetrics:
1. Menstrual cramping and pain Lovage (Ligusticum Chuan Xiong) with Cyperus rotundus.
2. To strengthen the Blood and regulate menstruation, Lovage (Ligusticum Chuan Xiong) with Dang Gui.
3. Postpartum Blood stasis, Lovage with Motherwort
Headache:
4. Headache:
i. Lovage with Rue, Fennel seed, Pepper (Galen)
ii. acute Wind and Cold headache, combine Lovage with Angelica
iii. internal Wind, Lovage with Peony
iv. acute Headache, Lovage with Siler Montane and Feverfew.
v. acute Heat type Headache, Lovage with Camomile, Balm
vi. Headache and Migraine, Lovage with Betony, Rue, Celandine, Eyebright, Pennyroyal, Rosemary, Oregano, Sage, Licorice, Madder (as in Syrup of Betony)
ix. Headache from deficiency, Lovage, Peony, Mistletoe
Stomach:
5. Stomach Pain, indigestion from Cold:
i. Lovage with Ginger, Indian Spikenard, Amomum, Asarum, Parsley seed, Black Pepper, Thyme
ii. Lovage seed with Sagapen, Cumin, Nigella, Caraway, Bitter Almond, Long Pepper, Marjoram, Wild Mint, Calamus, Bay berry, Rue (as in Electuary of Bayberries)
iii. Lovage with Galangal, Aloeswood, Clove, Ginger, Long Pepper, Cinnamon, Calamus, Mint, Cardamon, Fennel seed, Caraway (as in Powder of Galangal Compound of Mesue)
iv. Lovage seed with Calamint seed, Pennyroyal seed, Parsley seed, Celery seed, Thyme, Black Pepper (as in Electuary of Calamint of Galen)
Other:
6. To improve Memory, Lovage seed with Calamus, Gentian, Indian Spikenard, Siler Montane, Aniseed, Cumin, Caraway (as in The Powder of Trithemius)
7. To benefit the Sight, Lovage seed with Eyebright, Betony, Rosemary, Elecampane, Fennel (as in Electuary to Strengthen the Sight)
8. Inflammation of the Urinary tract, Rupturewort, Uva Ursi, Linseed, Lovage root (Meyer)
Major Formulas
Potion for Headache (Galen)
Syrup of Betony (Bononiense)
Syrup of Mugwort (Augustana)
Powder of Calamint Compound (Nicholas)
Powder of Cumin Greater (Nicholas)
Powder of Galangal Compound (Diagalanga) (Mesue)
Powder of Musk Bitter (Diamoschu Amarum) (Mesue)
Warming Pearl Powder (Diamargariton Calidum) (Mesue)
The Powder of Trithemius
Electuary of Calamint (Galen)
Electuary of Hyssop (Diahyssopus) (Nicholas)
Electuary to Strengthen the Sight (Wirtzung)
Electuary of Bayberries (Electuarium de Baccis Lauri)
Electuary for Back Pain (Galen)
Antidote prepared for the Empress Helena
Antidotum Augustini (Nicholas)
Electuarium Acharistum (Nicholas)
Antidotus Acharistos Altera
Cautions:
Not used during Pregnancy
Main Preparations used:
Distilled Water, Distilled Oil, Salt from the Ashes
1. Tincture of Lovage:
i. Lovage root (2 oz.), Lovage seed (1 oz.), Alcohol (10 oz.). Digest, express, filter. (Pharmacopoeia Wirtembergica, 1798)
2. Extract of Lovage:
i. Lovage root, Alcohol (2 pounds each), Water (9 lbs.). Digest 12 hours; express, distil off the alcohol and evaporate the residue to an extract. (Pharmacopoeia regni Poloniae, 1817)
Not used during Pregnancy
Main Preparations used:
Distilled Water, Distilled Oil, Salt from the Ashes
1. Tincture of Lovage:
i. Lovage root (2 oz.), Lovage seed (1 oz.), Alcohol (10 oz.). Digest, express, filter. (Pharmacopoeia Wirtembergica, 1798)
2. Extract of Lovage:
i. Lovage root, Alcohol (2 pounds each), Water (9 lbs.). Digest 12 hours; express, distil off the alcohol and evaporate the residue to an extract. (Pharmacopoeia regni Poloniae, 1817)