Lovage seed: Flavor, Cooking Use and Health Facts
Lovage seed tastes like celery and parsley with a hint of anise and is used like fennel seed in pickles and breads; almost no research exists on the seed, and the root has sun-sensitivity and kidney cautions.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
In the kitchen at a glance
Flavor:EarthyLicorice / aniseWarm / woody
Aroma: Celery-like and herbal, with a faint anise note.
Used in: pickling, soups and stews, vegetables
Usual amount in food: No usual recipe amount found, and USDA SR Legacy has no entry for lovage seed, so we give no gram figure.
What it is
Lovage is a tall, long-lived plant, Levisticum officinale, of the carrot family. [1] It is thought to come from Afghanistan and Iran and has been grown in Europe for a very long time. [1] The leaves are used as an herb, the root as a vegetable, and the seeds as a spice. [1] The "seed" is really a small dry fruit that holds two seeds. [2]Be careful when buying. One reference says that "lovage seed" sold in trade is often ajwain, and that much "celery seed" is partly or fully lovage seed. [2] We could not check this against a second source, so treat it as a warning to read labels, not as a fact about every jar.
Flavor and aroma
The plant smells and tastes like celery and parsley, but stronger and spicier. [1] The seed is used in much the same way as fennel seed, which hints at a mild anise-like side. [1][2] We did not find a source that describes the seed's taste on its own, so the flavor notes above come from the whole plant and from its use like fennel. We found no source that names the aroma compounds of the seed in a form we could open.How it is used in cooking
- Pickles: in Romania, dried lovage and its seeds flavor pickled cabbage and cucumbers. [1][2]
- Southern Europe: the seeds are used as a spice in the way fennel seeds are. [1]
- Soups and broths: the leaves are the usual choice for soups and broths, and the seed can take a similar savory role. The leaf use is documented; the seed use is our reading. [1]
The sources we read give no rules for when to add the seed, whether to toast it, or what to use instead. If you swap in celery seed or fennel seed, expect a different dish.
Normal food amounts
| Measure | Grams | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon | Not found | USDA SR Legacy has no entry for lovage seed |
| Typical recipe amount | Not found | We opened no source that states one |
USDA SR Legacy has no entry for this spice, so we show no nutrient numbers. A pinch is mostly flavor.
Buying, storing and preparing
- Forms: whole seed (small dry fruits) and, less often, ground. [2]
- Mix-ups: see the warning above about ajwain and celery seed. [2]
- Storing and shelf life: the sources we read give no shelf life for the seed. A cool, dry, dark place is the sensible default for any seed spice.
- Related products: the root and leaf are sold dried too, and their oil is used in perfumery. They are not the same product as the seed. [1]
Health: what research says
Eating lovage seed in cooking is very different from taking concentrated lovage root products. Almost all health information we found is about the root or the leaf.Food amounts vs supplements
| In normal cooking | In supplements and extracts | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical amount | No usual amount found; no USDA entry | A reference text lists a daily root amount of 4 to 8 g, depending on the preparation; this is a description, not advice [3] |
| What studies mostly used | No study of the seed as a spice was found | Root, leaf extracts and oils, mostly in laboratory or animal work [9][10][11] |
| What we can say about benefit | Nothing can be said; no research on food use | Traditional use only; regulators accept root for traditional urinary flushing [3][5] |
| Main safety limit | Not described for seed | Sun sensitivity, pregnancy, kidney inflammation, fluid medicines [3][4] |
What the evidence shows
| Use | What the sources found | Strength of evidence | Form and population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urinary flushing | Commission E and the EU herbal committee (HMPC) accept the root for traditional use in mild urinary complaints, no longer than 2 to 4 weeks. [3][5] A consumer reference says there is insufficient evidence to rate it for kidney stones or urinary inflammation. [4] | Insufficient evidence | Root, tea or preparations; adults [3][4] |
| Indigestion and gas | Listed as traditional use; the consumer reference says insufficient evidence to rate. [4] | Insufficient evidence | Root and other parts [4] |
| Inflammation and cell models | Lovage extracts lowered inflammation markers and cancer-cell viability in two colon cell lines. [9] | Lab or animal only | Dichloromethane extract in cells [9] |
| Memory and the brain | A lovage extract with treadmill running reduced memory problems in rats given an inflammatory trigger. [10] | Lab or animal only | Extract in rats [10] |
| Metabolic syndrome | Extracts from elicited, dried leaves blocked enzymes related to metabolic syndrome in a test tube. [11] | Lab or animal only | Leaf extracts in vitro [11] |
| Any use of the seed in food | No study found | Insufficient evidence | Food amounts |
We found no herb guide for lovage on this site, so there is no page to link for supplement-level detail. The related plant celery seed has its own spice page below.
Official statements
- EMA (EU): an EU herbal monograph on lovage root (Levisticum officinale, radix) exists, in the area of urinary tract and genital disorders; the page we opened gives no wording, and the monograph mentions root, not seed. [5]
- HMPC, as reported by a reference text: traditional use for mild urinary complaints, no longer than 2 to 4 weeks. [3]
Related pages
Health connections for Lovage seed
What research links to this spice, and how strong the evidence is. Most studies use concentrated extracts or doses far above what you eat; each card says which.
Urinary flushing (traditional, root)
Preliminary or mixedCommission E and the EU herbal committee accept lovage root for traditional use in mild urinary complaints, for no longer than 2 to 4 weeks; a consumer reference says evidence is insufficient to rate.
Supplements: Traditional-use acceptance for root only; no study of seed as a spice was found.
Inflammation markers in cells
Lab or animal research onlyA lovage extract lowered inflammation gene expression and cancer-cell viability in two colon cell lines without strong toxicity to non-cancer cells.
Supplements: Cell-culture finding only; says nothing about food amounts.
Memory in rats
Lab or animal research onlyA lovage extract with treadmill running reduced memory problems, inflammation and oxidative stress in rats given an inflammatory trigger.
Supplements: Rat finding only; not tested in people.
Metabolic syndrome enzymes (test tube)
Lab or animal research onlyExtracts from lovage leaves blocked enzymes linked to metabolic syndrome in a laboratory test.
Supplements: Test-tube finding only.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Health goals (1)
- Preventive WellnessLab or animal research only
Only laboratory and animal findings exist for extracts; no human trial on seed in food.
Body systems (2)
- Kidney & UrinaryPreliminary or mixed
Regulators accept lovage root only for traditional urinary flushing; a consumer reference says evidence is insufficient to rate. Nothing was found for the seed.
- Urinary SystemPreliminary or mixed
Root is accepted for traditional use in mild urinary complaints for up to 2 to 4 weeks; the seed has not been studied.
Body parts (2)
Functional actions (3)
- Anti-InflammatoryLab or animal research only
Extracts lowered inflammation markers in cells; not tested in people.
- Digestive SupportPreliminary or mixed
Used traditionally for indigestion and gas; a consumer reference says insufficient evidence to rate.
- NeuroprotectiveLab or animal research only
An extract eased memory deficits in rats; not tested in people.
Root causes (1)
- Medication Side EffectsDocumented risk
One consumer reference says root might add to water pills and cause too much fluid loss; a reference text lists no known interactions.
Conditions & symptoms (2)
- Photosensitivity of SkinDocumented risk
Furanocoumarins in lovage can cause sun-sensitive skin reactions; described for the plant and root, not shown for seed in food.
- Contact DermatitisDocumented risk
A case report describes contact dermatitis from lovage essential oil; a reference text calls contact allergy rare.
Documented risks and interactions (4)
- Sun-sensitive skin reaction (documented risk). Lovage contains furanocoumarins such as bergapten and psoralen, and a 1992 case report describes photosensitivity from harvesting lovage.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding (documented risk). A consumer reference rates medicinal lovage as likely unsafe in pregnancy and advises avoiding it while breastfeeding; a reference text says experience is insufficient.
- Kidney inflammation and fluid medicines (documented risk). Root preparations are not advised in acute kidney inflammation or heart- or kidney-related swelling, and a consumer reference says lovage might add to water pills; a reference text lists no known interactions.
- Contact allergy to the essential oil (documented risk). A 2013 case report describes contact dermatitis from lovage essential oil, and a reference text calls contact allergy rare.
Frequently asked questions
What does lovage seed taste like?
The plant tastes like celery and parsley, only stronger. [1] The seed is used like fennel seed. [1][2] We found no source that describes the seed's flavor alone.
How much is normal?
We found no source for a usual amount, and USDA has no entry. Start with a small pinch and taste.
Is it safe in pregnancy?
We found no study of the seed in food. A consumer reference rates medicinal lovage as likely unsafe in pregnancy, and a reference text says use is not established. [4][3] Ask your midwife or doctor.
Can I take it with medicines?
In food amounts, the sources we read name no problems. Root products may add to water pills, according to one consumer reference. [4] Ask a pharmacist.
Is lovage seed the same as celery seed or ajwain?
No. They are different plants, but one reference says trade labels often mix them up. [2]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety note at a glance
Safety in more detail
- Medicines: a consumer reference says the root seems to act like a water pill, so taking it with diuretics such as furosemide might cause too much fluid loss, dizziness and low blood pressure. [4] A reference text lists no known interactions. [3] These two disagree, so ask a pharmacist before using root products with fluid or blood-pressure medicine.
- Pregnancy: a consumer reference rates lovage as likely unsafe in pregnancy and says it might make the uterus contract. [4] A reference text says there is not enough experience to support use. [3] Neither is about the seed in food; ask your midwife or doctor.
- Breastfeeding: not enough is known, and the consumer reference advises avoiding it. [4]
- Children: the reference text says use under age 18 is not established for root preparations. [3]
- Allergy: the plant is in the carrot family, the same family as celery. We found a 2013 case report of contact dermatitis from lovage essential oil. [8] Contact allergy is described as rare. [3] The sources we read do not describe cross-reaction with celery seed allergy.
- Liver and kidney: the reference text lists acute kidney-tissue inflammation and heart- or kidney-related swelling as reasons not to use root preparations, and the consumer reference says not to use lovage with inflamed, painful or damaged kidneys. [3][4]
- Surgery: the sources we read do not describe a surgery warning. Tell the surgical team about any supplement.
- Sun sensitivity: lovage contains furanocoumarins such as bergapten and psoralen, and a 1992 case report describes photosensitivity from harvesting lovage. [1][3][7] The consumer reference says long use may raise the risk of sunburn and rash. [4] Roots hold a lot of coumarins, especially when dried. [6] We found no figure for the seed.
- Quality and contamination: the sources we read do not describe contamination in lovage seed, apart from the mislabeling risk. [2]
- Amounts that cause trouble: not described for the seed.
References
- Wikipedia — Lovage (cites Kew, EMA 2012 root monograph and a 1992 photosensitivity report). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovage (accessed 2026-10-24)
- Clovegarden — Lovage. https://clovegarden.com/ingred/py_lovagez.html (accessed 2026-10-24)
- Altmeyers Encyclopedia — Lovage root (Levistici radix), page updated 2025-10-29. https://www.altmeyers.org/en/naturopathy/lovage-root-143736 (accessed 2026-10-24)
- RxList — Lovage (consumer supplement monograph). https://www.rxlist.com/supplements/lovage.htm (accessed 2026-10-24)
- EMA (EU) — Levistici radix, herbal medicinal product page. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/levistici-radix (accessed 2026-10-24)
- Coumarins of lovage roots (Levisticum officinale): LC-MS profile, quantification and stability during postharvest storage. Metabolites 2022; abstract read via Europe PMC. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36676932/ (accessed 2026-10-24)
- Ashwood-Smith MJ et al. — Photosensitivity from harvesting lovage (Levisticum officinale). Contact Dermatitis 1992; record read via Europe PMC, no abstract. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1395606/ (accessed 2026-10-24)
- Contact dermatitis caused by lovage (Levisticum officinalis) essential oil. Contact Dermatitis 2013; record read via Europe PMC, no abstract. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23948036/ (accessed 2026-10-24)
- Anti-inflammatory and apoptotic effects of Levisticum officinale Koch extracts on HT 29 and Caco-2 colorectal carcinoma cell lines. Galen Med J 2024; abstract read via Europe PMC. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39224551/ (accessed 2026-10-24)
- Treadmill running and Levisticum officinale extract protect against LPS-induced memory deficits. Metab Brain Dis 2023; abstract read via Europe PMC. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36478529/ (accessed 2026-10-24)
- Influence of elicitation and drying methods on anti-metabolic syndrome and antimicrobial properties of extracts and hydrolysates from elicited lovage. Nutrients 2021; abstract read via Europe PMC. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34959917/ (accessed 2026-10-24)