Lovage - Eagleridge Seeds

Levisticum Officinale 

An old traditional hardy perennial herb, used for generations in Europe. Similar in look to celery leaves, but much larger, established plants can be 7-8 feet tall. Starting from large rosettes in spring, the thick stems, also filled with leaf branches are topped by large umbels or umbrella shaped yellow flowers. They are a great attraction for beneficial insects. Culinary uses for the leaves include addition to salads, soup and stew. The roots are also edible grated into salads or cooked. The seeds are used as a spice. A tea made from the leaves is used to stimulate digestion and externally as an antiseptic poultice for wounds. This is due to the very high content of quercetin, a flavonoid which has anti- inflammatory and anti- oxidant properties. Large flat papery seeds can be planted indoors in early spring or direct seeded in late spring, plant ¼ inch deep.