Lovage Root 4:1 Powdered Extract (Levisticum officinale) 5 kg (11 lbs): Q

The 1997 Commission E on Phytotherapy and Herbal Substances of the German Federal Institute for Drugs recommends Lovage root for 'Irrigation therapy for inflammation of the lower urinary tract and for prevention of kidney gravel.' 'Contraindications: Preparations of lovage should not be used if acute inflammation of the kidney parenchyma with impaired kidney function exists.' 'Dosage: 4 - 8 g of drug; equivalent preparations. Mode of Administration: Comminuted herb and other galenical preparations for internal use. Note: Intense exposure to the sun and ultraviolet light should be avoided during extended use of lovage root.' 'Action: The ligustilide-containing essential oil is antispasmodic.' Grieve's classic, 'A Modern Herbal': 'The roots and fruit are aromatic and stimulant, and have diuretic and carminative action. In herbal medicine they are used in disorders of the stomach and feverish attacks, especially for cases of colic and flatulence in children, its qualities being similar to those of Angelica in expelling flatulence, exciting perspiration and opening obstructions.' 'The leaves eaten as salad, or infused dry as a tea, used to be accounted a good emmenagogue.' 'An infusion of the root was recommended by old writers for gravel, jaundice and urinary troubles, and the cordial, sudorific nature of the roots and seeds caused their use to be extolled in 'pestilential disorders.' In the opinion of Culpepper, the working of the seeds was more powerful than that of the root; he tells us that an infusion 'being dropped into the eyes taketh away their redness or dimness.... It is highly recommended to drink the decoction of the herb for agues.... The distilled water is good for quinsy if the mouth and throat be gargled and washed therewith.... The decoction drunk three or four times a day is effectual in pleurisy....'