GET TO KNOW YOUR OILS
Lovage Root
Levisticum officinale Koch
Chemotype: phthalide-rich root-oil type
- PLANT PART
- root
- EXTRACTION
- steam distillation
- AROMA NOTE
- mid-base
LEARN AS YOU COMPARE
What’s inside this oil?
Constituents are the natural chemicals that give an oil its character. See the main ones, learn what they do, and explore differences between batches.
Meet the main constituents, then select one to see what makes it interesting.
FOLLOW YOUR SENSES
Aroma & character
A closer look at this oil's scent, strength, and staying power.
- Aroma intensity
- 92 / 100
- Note layer
- mid-base
- Approximate tenacity
- 240 hours
If you like this scent, explore
A LITTLE CARE GOES A LONG WAY
Using it thoughtfully
Read the full safety context before bringing this oil into your routine.
- Cited dermal maximum · leave-on
- 0.1%
- Phototoxicity
- Phototoxic — use caution
- Maximum for sun-exposed skin
- 0.1%
- Oxidation risk
- medium
A cited maximum is a limit, not a suggested dilution. Missing restrictions do not establish safety.
Lovage root carries UV concern because the root contains furanocoumarins including psoralen and bergapten per the EMA assessment. A public aromatherapy vendor source advises keeping lovage root oil below 0.1% on sun-exposed skin, but a directly readable primary IFRA standard page for an exact leave-on cap was not located in this pass.
Contraindications & cautions
- majorAvoid UV exposure after topical use; public aromatherapy guidance advises use below 0.1% on sun-exposed skin.
- moderateLovage root use is not recommended during pregnancy and lactation in the EMA assessment.
Explore measured chemistry from supplier batches
A supplier report describes a particular sample. Open this workspace to investigate measured constituents and their original documents.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENT
Inside the oil
An oil's character comes from its natural chemical composition. Explore each constituent to understand the connections.
About this composition
This lovage root record is anchored to the directly readable typical GC analysis reproduced by The Good Scents Company from Cu et al. 1990, which shows a phthalide-dominant root oil led by (Z)-ligustilide with supporting beta-selinene, alpha-terpineol, linalool, (Z)-3-butylidenephthalide, and gamma-selinene. The EMA root assessment was used to confirm that lovage root oil is characteristically rich in ligustilide and related phthalides and that UV concern arises from furanocoumarin content in the root.
| Constituent | Typical amount | Reported range | Chemical family | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Z)-ligustilide | 61.79% | 61.79–61.79% | phthalide | View sourceTypical G.C. analysis - levisticum officinale root oil https://thegoodscentscompany.com/gca/gc1015771.html (line 13, (Z)-3-butylidene-4,5-dihydrophthalide 61.79%) |
| beta-selinene | 5.92% | 5.92–5.92% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceTypical G.C. analysis - levisticum officinale root oil https://thegoodscentscompany.com/gca/gc1015771.html (line 30, beta-selinene 5.92%) |
| alpha-terpineol | 4.12% | 4.12–4.12% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceTypical G.C. analysis - levisticum officinale root oil https://thegoodscentscompany.com/gca/gc1015771.html (line 33, alpha-terpineol 4.12%) |
| linalool | 2.79% | 2.79–2.79% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceTypical G.C. analysis - levisticum officinale root oil https://thegoodscentscompany.com/gca/gc1015771.html (line 19, linalool 2.79%) |
| (Z)-3-butylidenephthalide | 2.24% | 2.24–2.24% | phthalide | View sourceTypical G.C. analysis - levisticum officinale root oil https://thegoodscentscompany.com/gca/gc1015771.html (line 11, (Z)-3-butylidene phthalide 2.24%) |
| gamma-selinene | 1.58% | 1.58–1.58% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceTypical G.C. analysis - levisticum officinale root oil https://thegoodscentscompany.com/gca/gc1015771.html (line 31, gamma-selinene 1.58%) |
Profile source: Typical G.C. analysis - levisticum officinale root oil; Assessment report on Levisticum officinale Koch, radix; Lovage Root Oil - Fraterworks; Essential Oil - Lovage - Club Arome · https://thegoodscentscompany.com/gca/gc1015771.html ; https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-report/draft-assessment-report-levisticum-officinale-koch-radix_en.pdf ; https://fraterworks.com/products/lovage-root-oil ; https://clubarome.com/shop/essential-oil-lovage/
A TRADITION OF BOTANICAL CURIOSITY
Traditional & reported uses
These uses reflect the profile's reported traditions and literature. They are not established treatment recommendations.
- traditionally used in aromatherapy for grounding, earthy-warming effects
- reported to support digestive comfort when used in traditional herbal contexts
- used in perfumery as a pungent, celery-like base note in chypre and fougere styles
- traditionally associated with warming, fortifying blends in cooler months
- used sparingly in niche fragrance work for its intense, savory-green facet
For aromatherapy and wellness use only — not medical advice. Effect statements are traditional/reported associations, not treatment claims. The Synergy Rating scores blend craft, harmony and safety, not medical efficacy. Read the safety framework.
What we're still learning · 3 data gaps
Good decisions start with knowing what is — and isn't — in the evidence.
- The exact primary-source leave-on dermal maximum for lovage root oil remains blocked by a missing directly readable public IFRA or Tisserand monograph page; the current 0.1% cap is supported only by secondary public safety guidance.
- Odor intensity 92 is an archive normalization from Fraterworks' qualitative description of lovage root as one of the strongest-smelling natural materials rather than a native published 0-100 instrument value.
- No directly measured public volatility-rate data were verified in this pass.