Not only is this perennial herb an attractive addition to the back of a border but it has excellent culinary uses too33 lovage root leaves seeds and young stems can all be incorporated into savoury dishes and the stems can also be candied it is said that levisticum officinale has many medicinal uses including for colic coughs and bronchitis 45 however the plant also contains an oil which can be an irritant this low45maintenance herb has yellow flower umbels in june july and au