Licorice

Latin Name: Glycerrhiza glabra

Common Names: licorice, liquorice, sweet root, sweetwood, Persian licorice, Spanish licorice, true licorice, gan cao (Chinese)

Family: Fabaceae

Habitat: Licorice, and herbaceous perennial, is native to West Asia, Tropical Asia, North Africa and Southern Europe, and can grow up to 1 meter tall. They produce small purple to whitish blue flowers on an inflorescence that will then bear oblong pods containing the seeds. The leaves are pinnate and grow 7-15 cm long and contain 9-17 leaflets in total. Since it’s in the Fabaceae family (legume), it helps to fix nitrogen in the soil which helps to increase soil fertility. The seeds need light to germinate and will benefit from soaking overnight in water before planting, but they can take up to 3 weeks to germinate, so you must be patient! They grow naturally along riverbanks and prefer full sun, and deep, well-drained fertile soils. The roots are ready for harvesting after the plants have reached 3-4 years old and according to Richo Cech, the roots are best quality if harvested in spring during their dormancy before the growth phase. You can leave the deep taproot and harvest the lateral roots so the plant can keep growing.

Parts Used: roots and rhizomes

History/Tradition: The Greek name, glykyrrhiza, of which the genus was derived, means sweet root. Commonly used to make other herbs more palatable, especially formulations given to children, as it has a naturally sweet taste. Licorice has been used over the ages by many different traditions in the treatment of throat irritations and respiratory issues. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda, it is one of the most commonly used herbs to help strengthen and harmonize formulas treating cough, pharyngitis, respiratory infections, asthma, and bronchitis. It has also been used to treat gastric pain, ulcers and sores in the gastrointestinal tract, liver disease, constipation, and as a general rejuvenating tonic.

Energetics: sweet, cooling, moistening, mucilaginous

Indications: While traditionally seen as a respiratory system remedy, Rosemary Gladstar uses it as a tonic for the endocrine system, helping to relieve adrenal exhaustion and fatigue, especially if depression is involved. It is still used today to treat bronchial congestion, sore throat, dry coughs, and helps to loosen mucus. It is also beneficial to digestive tract inflammation, like sores or ulcers, and helps to moisten and relax the bowel when drying constipation is an issue. Its mucilaginous quality adds a soothing quality to syrups, and is especially liked by children due to it’s sweet taste. It can be drunk as a tea and is often blended with other herbs as a harmonizer, and to ease unpleasant symptoms that may be caused by harsher herbs. Richo Cech’s preferred method for extraction is to make a strong decoction of the root and then preserve it by adding enough grain alcohol to bring the final alcohol content to 20%.

Systems: respiratory, digestive, immune, integumentary, endocrine

Actions: demulcent, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, hormonal modulation, antimicrobial, antioxidant, amphoteric, antitussive, laxative

Cautions: Not to be consumed during pregnancy or nursing. Avoid excessive consumption of licorice candy. Not recommended for those who have high blood pressure due to water retention.

Constituents: glycyrrhizin (imparts the sweet flavor, and is over 50 times sweeter than sucrose), flavonoids (liquiritin, glabridin), isoflavones, coumarins, sterols

Culinary Use: Licorice is used to flavor many candies, other foods, pharmaceuticals, as well as tobacco. Herbal Reality has some nice tea recipes under the Recipe section of their licorice profile.

References: https://www.britannica.com/science/traditional-Chinese-medicine

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquorice_(confectionery)