Lovage Oil: Scent, Origin and Uses of the “Maggi Herb” Oil
Lovage oil is one of those essential oils hardly anyone knows – even though almost everyone recognises its scent instantly. In Germany, lovage is the herb popularly called “Maggikraut” (Maggi herb). As an essential oil, it brings a strong, spicy, slightly sharp note to room fragrances and your own scent blends. Here you’ll learn where the oil comes from, what it smells like, how to dose it and what to look for when buying it.
What is lovage oil?
Lovage oil is the essential oil of lovage (botanical name: Levisticum officinale). This perennial plant belongs to the carrot family (Apiaceae) – like celery, dill and fennel – and can grow well over a metre tall in the garden. Its strong, glossy leaves release an intense, spicy smell as soon as you crush them.
For our oil, the leaves of the lovage plant are processed by steam distillation. Hot steam flows through the plant material, carries the volatile aromatic compounds with it, then cools down and separates into water and essential oil. Our lovage oil comes from France.
Lovage has a long cultural history in Central Europe: the plant was already grown in monastery and cottage gardens in the Middle Ages and appears in old herbals. The German name “Liebstöckel” is a folk reinterpretation of the Latin levisticum – linguistically it has nothing to do with “Liebe” (love), even though in folk belief the plant was traditionally associated with love charms. It owes its nickname “Maggi herb” to its smell, which resembles the well-known seasoning sauce – even though lovage isn’t actually in it.
The scent: strong, spicy, earthy
Anyone smelling lovage oil for the first time is usually surprised by how intense it is. The scent is strong, spicy and slightly sharp, with an earthy, tart character. It belongs to the herbaceous-spicy family of oils.
- Top note: green, herbaceous, immediately present – the typical “Maggi herb” association
- Heart note: warm and spicy, reminiscent of celery, with tart depth
- Base note: earthy, slightly sweet, long-lasting
The scent is most comparable to celery, only fuller and spicier. Because of its intensity, lovage oil isn’t an oil you diffuse “solo” in large amounts – it shows its strengths as a distinctive accent in blends, for example together with citrus or woody notes.
Ways to use lovage oil
Our lovage oil is intended for room fragrance. Here’s how to use it:
- Diffuser: 1–2 drops in 150–200 ml of water are enough for an average room. Start sparingly and add another drop if needed. You’ll find more dosage tips in our guide Essential oils in the diffuser.
- Oil burner: Add 1–2 drops to the water-filled bowl – never directly onto the hot surface, and never leave the oil burner unattended.
- Room spray: In a homemade room spray, a single drop of lovage adds a surprising, spicy depth. Combine it with fresh citrus oils.
- Your own scent compositions: Use it as the “spice” in blends – much like a pinch of salt in a recipe. One drop of lovage to ten drops of other oils is often enough.
Scent blends with lovage oil
Each of these three recipes is designed for a diffuser with 150–200 ml of water:
1. Herb garden after the rain
- 1 drop lovage oil
- 2 drops lemon oil
- 1 drop rosemary oil
2. Spicy autumn evening
- 1 drop lovage oil
- 2 drops orange oil
- 1 drop juniper berry oil
3. Country kitchen
- 1 drop lovage oil
- 2 drops bergamot oil
- 1 drop marjoram oil
Love herbaceous scents but would rather start with a ready-made composition? Then try our blend Herbal Breeze – and if you fancy more spice, add a single drop of lovage oil.
Safety information
Like all essential oils, lovage oil is highly concentrated. Please note:
- Never apply neat to the skin: If an essential oil is to come into contact with the skin, always dilute it – as a guideline, 2–3 drops in 10 ml of carrier oil, e.g. almond oil or jojoba oil. Our lovage oil is primarily intended for room fragrance.
- Patch test: According to its hazard statement, the oil may cause allergic skin reactions. Before any skin contact, test a small amount of the diluted blend on the inside of your elbow.
- Do not ingest: The oil may be fatal if swallowed and enters the airways. If swallowed, seek medical help immediately and do not induce vomiting.
- Children: Keep out of the reach of children.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Please consult a qualified professional before using essential oils.
- Pets: Cats in particular are sensitive to essential oils. Read our article Essential oils and pets.
- Environment: The oil is harmful to aquatic life – don’t pour leftovers down the drain; take them to a waste collection point.
How to store your oil so the scent lasts is explained in Storing essential oils correctly.
Buying lovage oil: what to look for
Since lovage oil is rarely offered, it pays to take a close look at the label:
- Botanical name: The bottle should say Levisticum officinale – not just “lovage”.
- 100% pure: no additives, no synthetic fragrances, not diluted with carrier oil.
- Plant part and origin: Details on plant part, extraction method, country of origin and a batch number show that the supplier knows its product.
- Amber glass: Essential oils belong in light-protected bottles with a dropper.
You’ll find more criteria in our guide Buying essential oils: how to recognise real quality.
Our lovage oil is 100% pure, steam-distilled from the leaves of Levisticum officinale from France, and hand-filled in Germany – available in 10 ml, 50 ml, 100 ml and 500 ml amber glass bottles with dropper.
Frequently asked questions about lovage oil
What does lovage oil smell like?
Strong, spicy, slightly sharp and earthy – many people are immediately reminded of the “Maggi herb” or celery. The scent is very intense and works best when dosed sparingly.
Can you use lovage oil for cooking?
No. Our lovage essential oil is intended for room fragrance and diluted external use and is not suitable for consumption. For the kitchen, it’s best to use fresh or dried lovage.
How many drops of lovage oil go in the diffuser?
1–2 drops in 150–200 ml of water are usually enough. In blends, one drop of lovage alongside two to three drops of other oils is generally sufficient.
What can you combine lovage oil with?
Citrus oils such as lemon, orange or bergamot work well, as do herbaceous oils such as rosemary and marjoram, and spicy-woody notes such as juniper berry.
Is lovage oil the same as Maggi seasoning?
No. Lovage only smells similar, hence the nickname “Maggi herb”. Our oil is a pure essential oil from the leaves of the plant.
Where does your lovage oil come from?
From France. It is obtained from the leaves by steam distillation and hand-filled by us in Germany.
🌿 Casse-Q – natural oils with character
For everyone who loves distinctive scents and enjoys trying unusual notes. Discover our lovage oil – a drop full of spice.
