Type:
Whole Allergen
Allergen Encyclopedia
Table of Contents
Whole Allergen
f275 Lovage
f275 Lovage Scientific Information
Display Name:
Lovage
Family:
Apiaceae
Latin Name:
Levisticum officinale
Other Names:
Lovage
Clinical Relevance
Anecdotal evidence suggests that lovage may induce symptoms of food allergy in sensitised individuals; however, no studies have been reported to date; it is possible that allergy to lovage, which is closely related to the significantly allergenic carrot and celery, occurs more frequently than has been reported.
The plant contains furanocoumarins, which may result in phototoxicity reactions. (1) Indeed, photosensitivity from harvesting lovage has been described. (2)
Present in a herbal product, lovage may increase the risk of bleeding or potentiate the effects of warfarin therapy. (3)
Maple syrup urine disease is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder of amino acid metabolism. The disease produces a characteristic sweet aroma, reminiscent of maple syrup, in the body fluids (e.g. urine) of affected patients. The substance responsible for the odour is 4,5-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-2[5H]-furanone (sotolone), a compound also present in fenugreek and lovage. (4)
Molecular Aspects
No allergens from this plant have yet been characterized.
Cross-reactivity
An extensive cross-reactivity among the different individual species of the Apiaceae could be expected to occur frequently, (5) and has been reported clinically. (5, 6) Other members of this family include anise, caraway, carrot, celery, dill, fennel, and parsley..
Compiled By
Last reviewed- April 2022
References
- Ojala T, Vuorela P, Kiviranta J, Vuorela H, Hiltunen R. A bioassay using Artemia salina for detecting phototoxicity of plant coumarins. Planta medica. 1999;65(8):715-8.
- Ashwood-Smith MJ, Ceska O, Yeoman A, Kenny PG. Photosensitivity from harvesting lovage (Levisticum officinale). Contact dermatitis. 1992;26(5):356-7.
- Heck AM, DeWitt BA, Lukes AL. Potential interactions between alternative therapies and warfarin. American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. 2000;57(13):1221-7; quiz 8-30.
- Podebrad F HM, Reichert S, Mosandl A, Sewell AC, Bohles H. 4,5-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-2[5H]-furanone (sotolone)--the odour of maple syrup urine disease. . 1999:22(2):107-14.
- L. Y. Botanical relations and immunological cross-reactions in pollen allergy. 2nd ed. Pharmacia Diagnostics AB. Uppsala. Sweden. Pharmacia Diagnostics AB Uppsala Sweden. 1982.
- Lopez M SH, Helbling A, Lehrer S. Anaphylaxis to carrot: crossreactivity of carrot specific IgE with spices from the Umbelliferae family. The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology. 1991:87:530(Suppl 1 Pt2).
