LOVAGE OIL

Description

See LOVAGE.

Chemical properties

Lovage oils are obtained by steam distillation of either the leaves (leaf oil) or the fresh roots (root oil) of the perennial plant LevisticumofficinaleW.D.J. Koch (Apiaceae). Both oils are yellow-greenish-brown to dark brown liquids with strong, characteristic, aromatic odor and taste.
d²⁰₂₀ 1.010–1.090; n²⁰_D 1.5350–1.5580; α²⁰_D ?1 ° to +5 °; solubility: 1 vol in max. 1.5 vol of 85% ethanol; acid value: max. 2–16; ester value 170–260.
The main constituent of the leaf oil is α-terpinyl acetate, while the main constituent and odor-determining component of the root oil is ligustilide (3-butylidene-4,5-dihydrophthalide).
The oils are produced on a relatively small scale, for example, in Hungary, and are mainly used in the alcoholic beverage industry and for flavoring of tobacco; small amounts are also used in perfumery.

Chemical properties

Perennial herbaceous plant that grows wild in several areas of Europe; it is cultivated for extractive purposes in France, Germany, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Yugo slavia. It has large leaves with a cylindrical stem, branched upper stalks, rhizome-type roots, and yellow-greenish flowers. It grows to 2 m (7 ft.) in height. The rhizomes and other parts of the plant are used. Lovage has an intensely persistent, warm, celery-like flavor and aroma.
The essential oil from the green parts normally is not manufactured and exhibits less interesting characteristics than the rhizome oil. Essential oil from rhizomes can be obtained by steam distillation of fresh or dried rhizomes with yields of 0.1 to 0.2 % or 0.6 to 1.0%, respectively. It is a yellow-amber to greenish liquid exhib iting a strong odor reminiscent of celery and angelica with a sharp, analogous flavor. The main constituents include d-oc-terpineol aldehydes, and acids (acetic and isovaleric) .
The derivatives are extract and oleoresin.

Chemical properties

Lovage is an aromatic perennial herbaceous plant that grows wild in several areas of Europe. It is cultivated for extrac tive purposes in France, Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Belgium, the Netherlands and the former Yugoslavia. It has large leaves with a cylindrical stem, branched upper stalks, rhizome-type roots and yellow-greenish flowers arranged in dense clusters (July to August). It grows to 2 m (7 ft) in height. The rhizomes and other parts of the plant are used. Lovage has an intensely persistent, warm, celery-like flavor and aroma.

Chemical properties

The oil from the green parts is normally not manufactured and exhibits less interesting characteristics than the rhizome oil. Essential oil from rhizomes can be obtained by steam distillation of fresh or dried rhizomes with yields of 0.1 to 0.2%, or 0.6 to 1.0%, respectively. It exhibits a strong odor reminiscent of celery and angelica with a sharp, analogous flavor.

Physical properties

It is a greenish-brown to deep-brown liquid. It is soluble in most fixed oils and slightly soluble with opalescence, in mineral oil, but it is relatively insoluble in propylene glycol and glycerin.

Occurrence

Lovage is a perennial found in Europe, the United States, and Canada

The Uses of LOVAGE OIL

lovage oil (Levisticum officinale) is ascribed properties include cleansing, depurative, and draining. In addition, the roots and fruit have aromatic and stimulant activity. Lovage oil is appropriate for use on oily skin. This oil is produced by distillation of the roots, though the leaves and seeds are also used for therapeutic purposes.

Definition

Extractives and their physically modified derivatives. Levisticum officinale, Umbelliferae.

Composition

Lovage contains approximately 2% of a volatile oil responsible for its characteristic odor and flavor. The oil contains primarily phthalide lactones, including 3-butylphthalide, cis- and trans-butyldenephthalide, cis- and trans-ligustilide, sen-kyunolide and angeolide. Several of the compounds found in lovage have also been detected in celery.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Odor at 1.0%

Safety Profile

Moderately toxic by ingestion. A skin irritant. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes. See also constituents as listed.