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Lovage root

Lovage (rễ)

Levisticum officinale

Apiaceae · Rễ · Roots · Steam-distilled


Lovage root essential oil (Levisticum officinale) — botanical illustration
Levisticum officinale

Safety

Phototoxic · Drug interaction · Pregnancy contraindicated

Phthalides comprise up to 70 percent. May be phototoxic due to furocoumarins.

Contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Avoid eyes and mucous membranes.

Strict dermal concentration limit required.


Usage guidelines

Maximum dermal level
0.4 percent
Contraindications
Pregnancy, breastfeeding
After dermal use
Avoid sunlight or UV exposure for 12 hours
Storage
Dark, sealed, refrigerated

Chemistry

Volatile constituents
(Z)-3-Butylidenephthalide30.0 – 50.0 %
(Z)-3-n-Validene-3,4-dihydrophthalide15.0 – 30.0 %
α-Terpinyl acetate5.0 – 10.0 %
α-Pinene2.0 – 5.0 %
β-Phellandrene1.0 – 3.0 %
Safrole + p-cymen-8-ol0 – 0.7 %

Botanical source

Levisticum officinale root has a characteristically high phthalide content, chemistry quite different from the leaf.

Aroma close to celery root. Used in perfumery for animalic and tobacco-like notes.

Small-scale production, mainly Eastern Europe (Bulgaria, Romania).


Notes

Lovage root is regarded as the highest-quality lovage oil for perfumery. Strong, persistent aroma.

Caution with safrole, though present in trace amounts, it remains a suspected carcinogen.