Licorice

Also Known As : Liquorice, Black Sugar, Licorice Root, Liquorice, Sweetroot, Sweetwood, regliss, Lakritze, liquirizia, regaliz, mulethi, Jethimadh , Jethmadh, Yastimadh. Acide Glycyrrhizique, Acide Glycyrrhizinique, Alcacuz, Alcazuz, Bois Doux, Bois Sucré, Can Cao, Chinese Licorice, Deglycyrrhized Licorice, Gan Cao, Gan Zao, Glabra, Glycyrrhiza, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza glabra typica, Glycyrrhiza glabra violacea, Glycyrrhiza glabra glandulifera, Glycyrrhiza Radix, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Glycyrrhizae, Glycyrrhizic Acid, Glycyrrhizinic Acid, Isoflavone, Jethi-Madh, Kanzo, Lakritze, Licorice Root, Liquiritiae Radix, Liquirizia, Mulathi, Mulethi, Orozuz, Phytoestrogen, Phyto-œstrogène, Racine de Réglisse, Racine Douce, Radix Glycyrrhizae, Régalissse, Regaliz, Reglisse, Réglisse, Réglisse Déglycyrrhisée, Réglisse Espagnole, Réglisse Russe, Regliz, Russian Licorice, Spanish Licorice, Subholz, Sussholz, Sweet Root, Yashtimadhu, Yashti-Madhu, Yashti-Madhuka, Zhi Gan Cao

Vegetarian

Taste Profile

Licorice root is very aromatic with a sweet taste like anise and a slightly bitter and salty aftertaste.

Usage Tips

Licorice root should be kept dry and will store indefinitely.
It can be cut or ground before using.
Store powdered licorice in air-tight container.

Common names and forms

Organic Licorice (Root)

Description

Licorice is a leguminous plant that grows around 5 feet tall, bearing small lilac flower and bean like pods. The roots have an extensive network of rhizomes. Licorice is mostly harvested for its roots, which are quite sweet in taste. The roots are cleaned, pulped, then boiled to a concentrate and then used. Its scientific name, Glycyrrhiza, is derived from the Greek words glykys, which means “sweet,” and rhiza, meaning “root.” It’s native to Europe and Asia. It has been in use since ages in different parts of Asia and Europe both as a sweetener and as a medicine. It is an important herb in Chinese and Indian traditional medicine.

Health benefits

Licorice consumption helps the body produce healthy mucus. Due to this, the respiratory system functions better without old, sticky mucus clogging it.⁽¹⁾
Licorice root helps soothe the gut. In conditions like food poisoning, stomach ulcers, and heartburn, its extract can speed the repair of the stomach lining and bring healing. This primarily due to the anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties of glycyrrhizic acid present in licorice.⁽¹⁾
Stress over a prolonged period can make adrenal gland exhausted by constantly producing adrenaline and cortisol. Licorice extract aids in giving relief to the adrenal gland and also stimulate it to produce a healthy level of cortisol in the body.⁽¹⁾

Selection Guide

Licorice can be bought as root or as a finely-ground powder based on one's requirement. Check that it is clean and free of dirt and impurities.

Note

Long term consumption of licorice daily may lead to high blood pressure, weakness, paralysis, and sometimes brain damage in people. It is worse in people with heart disease, kidney disease, or high blood pressure. Licorice may also cause tiredness, headache, absence of a menstrual period in women and bloating.⁽²⁾

Resource & Links

(1) https://www.healthline.com/health/licorice-the-sweet-root#protects-skin-and-teeth

(2) https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-881/licorice

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