Celery or lovage? Coming to the market it is easy to make a mistake with their choice. Not everyone knows that celery and lovage are not the same thing, but different plants and their similarity are only conditional. Let's try to understand the truth and learn to recognize them at a glance.
What is lovage?
Lovage is an edible, medicinal, perennial, herbaceous plant from the umbrella family. Since ancient times, it is known as a spicy culture with a pronounced taste and aroma.
The historical homeland is Iran. Similar to parsley and celery. The British called it "love parsley", and in Russia they call it "winter celery". Main uses: culinary and medicinal.
Botanical Description:
- thick, branched roots;
- root depth about 0.5 m;
- height 2m or more;
- the stem is dense at the base, juicy;
- leaves are large, pinnately dissected;
- the color of the leaves is dark green;
- inflorescences are white, small;
- spicy aroma;
- the taste is slightly pungent;
- the aftertaste is pleasant, bitter.
The lovage plant is not only tasty, but also very useful. It contains more than 200 substances. Among them are potassium, broad group vitamins, malic acid, mineral compounds and essential oils. In Russia, all parts of the plant were considered a means, increasing male strength, and in European countries - a female aphrodisiac.
Cooking use
Lovage is a spice for gourmets. Fresh, young foliage is most suitable. With age, it becomes tough and less tasty. Leaves can be prepared for the winter, dried or frozen.
Lovage goes well with seasonal vegetable salads, hot starters, meat and fish dishes.
Nutritionists recommend eating lovage as a fat-burning component. It should be remembered that its bright taste can overpower the taste of the main dish.
Healing properties
The rhizome and juice of all parts of the culture is famous for its healing power. It is used in folk medicine to treat:
- dropsy;
- getting rid of worms;
- diseases of the internal organs;
- rheumatism;
- gout;
- diseases of the upper respiratory tract;
- nervous disorders and insomnia;
- alcoholism.
Cosmetology
For cosmetic purposes, extracts from parts of lovage are used. It is added to anti-hair loss and hair growth shampoos. The juice helps to whiten the skin of the face. It is used in anti-freckle creams and to reduce pigmentation.
Baths with the addition of such fragrant oil relieve skin inflammation, heal microcracks and cuts. Lotions and decoctions treat acne, pimples, purulent inflammation.
Growing
Lovage is grown in sunny areas or in partial shade. Starting in May, you can feast on its young, juicy leaves. The vegetable is picky about moisture, with drought, the foliage turns yellow. It is frost-resistant and does not require shelter. Propagated by the seed method and by dividing the mother bush. It takes root in a new place painlessly and grows very quickly.
Contraindications
All parts of the culture should not be consumed by young children, pregnant women, as well as with a tendency to hemorrhoids and pyelonephritis. Doctors do not recommend getting carried away with it in case of stomach diseases and intestinal problems.
Before flowering, the root of lovage accumulates toxic substances!
What is celery?
Celery has been known to the world for many millennia as a healthy spice. In the wild, it grows in the regions of the Mediterranean Sea in swamps and salt marshes. It is a spicy, edible, umbrella-shaped annual plant. There are three types: leaf, root and petiole.
Botanical Description:
- the root system is weakly branched, small;
- plant height from 0.3 to 1 m;
- the stem of the petiolate variety is juicy, dense, and that of the leaf variety is thin and herbaceous;
- leaves are not large pinnately dissected type;
- deep green color;
- inflorescences are small, greenish;
- aroma is delicately spicy;
- the taste is pleasant, not spicy;
- aftertaste without bitterness.
In terms of the amount of vitamins, it is one of the five useful vegetable crops. It contains amino acids and carotene, essential oils, nicotinic acid, amino acids, thiamine and riboflavin, vitamins E, A, B and androsterone (male sex hormone).
Cooking applications
Culinary specialists use all parts of the plant "from tops to roots". Leaves and roots are used in vegetable salads, in meat and fish dishes, in soups and broths. They can be dried or frozen, while the celery will not lose its positive qualities.
Petioles can be eaten fresh, added to salads, first and second courses. Fried or baked petioles are a delicious side dish, they are served with meat and fish dishes. Useful juice is prepared from the petioles and used in combination with tomato, cucumber and cabbage.
Root celery is another story. It is baked like a turnip. Boiled and fried like potatoes. The vegetable goes well with apples, grapefruit, chicken breast, cheeses and nuts.
Healing characteristics
Herring, as a medicine, is not inferior to lovage. It has a beneficial effect on the digestive tract, improves appetite. Drinking the juice of its leaves at night will calm the nerves and guarantees a good sleep... Nutritionists recommend eating it for weight loss.
Celery has been proven to detoxify.
In folk medicine, it is used as:
- diuretic and laxative;
- a stimulant of the digestive organs;
- in the treatment and prevention of kidney disease;
- for blood purification;
- with diabetes mellitus.
Cosmetology
It is difficult to overestimate the miraculous properties of celery, aimed at rejuvenation of female beauty... Its juice stops suitable for all skin types and for all ages. It stops cellular aging, relieves irritation, and serves as a tonic, nourishing and cleanser.
The world's leading manufacturers prepare the best extract-based creams from all parts of celery. Acne and pimples are treated with it. There are hundreds of folk recipes for masks and lotions with its use.
Growing
Celery is grown by the seed method, as an annual or 2-year-old plant. In the second year of life, he throws out flowering arrows, forms seeds and dies off. The plant is not frost-resistant and requires shelter for the winter, especially in regions with cold climates.
Contraindications
Celery is not recommended for breastfeeding and pregnant women.
It should be treated with extreme caution by those with stomach ulcers or kidney stones.
Celery and lovage, how do they differ from each other?
Let's summarize. Celery and lovage differ from each other in many ways.
The similarities are as follows:
- Botanical umbrella family.
- Similar taste and aroma.
- Culinary destination.
- The use of cosmetology.
- Application in medicine.
- The presence of individual contraindications.
The differences in vegetable crops are clearly shown in the table.
Options | Celery | Lovage |
Origin | Mediterranean | Iran |
Life span | 2 years | Perennial |
Type of plant | Petiolate, root, deciduous | Foliar |
Frost resistant | No | Yes |
Suitable for food | All parts of the plant | Only leaves |
Virulence | No | Roots before flowering |
Taste characteristics | Mild spice | Sharp taste, bitter aftertaste |
Plant height | up to 1 meter | Up to 2.5 meters |
Growing | Seeds | By seed or dividing the bush |
The main similarity of these plants is in their great benefits for the human body.
It is useful for a modern person to lead a correct and healthy lifestyle. That is why, in order to always be in good shape and prolong youth, it is recommended to grow one or both crops on a personal plot and eat them, preferably fresh.