Licorice: The Most Important Overview

Licorice has fascinated humans for thousands of years. As a medicinal plant, licorice is used in herbal medicine, and as licorice in the kitchen. Beyond that, licorice has a range of other properties that underline its importance in the plant world and human history.

 

Grating licorice generally means to sugarcoat something. From the licorice root, we obtain the immensely popular sweet treat licorice. Its valuable ingredients also make the plant an interesting medicinal herb.

True licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is native around the Mediterranean to Western Asia. The plant species turns out to be a true sun lover. It prefers the sun but well protected from the wind. True licorice can grow in swampy areas of Russia as well as in dry regions of China or the Middle East. 

However, it takes about three years before the first licorice roots can be harvested. Then the roots are strong enough for further processing. The typical cultivation area of true licorice extends across the Middle East.

Licorice belongs to the families of legumes and pulse plants, just like beans, peas, and peanuts. In these plants, the seed is the main focus: in licorice, it is the roots. 

 

Licorice roots not only provide the extract from which licorice is made (more on that later). The roots are also the component responsible for the medicinal effects. The key ingredients of licorice root are triterpenoid saponins, especially in the form of glycyrrhizin. This substance is 50 times sweeter than sugar and is responsible for the extraordinary sweetness of licorice. The roots can contain up to 15% glycyrrhizin.

In addition, the roots are rich in flavonoids and coumarins, which among other things cause the yellow discoloration of the roots. Overall, up to 400 different ingredients are said to be found in licorice.

 

Licorice is obtained by thickening the licorice root juice. First, the licorice roots are boiled with water and pressed out. After filtering, steam can also be used. This produces an aromatic decoction traditionally used as a remedy. However, if the following ingredients are added to the decoction, delicious licorice is created:

• Flour
• Gelling agents
• Flavors
• Sugar

As a medicinal plant, true licorice offers a broad spectrum of effects. Its ingredients are said to have anti-inflammatory effects and reduce the production of stomach acid, although these effects are not yet fully clarified. Nevertheless, true licorice is now used for gastritis therapy. Notably, the anti-inflammatory effect does not occur through inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis but apparently through the movement of leukocytes (white blood cells) to the site of inflammation. This mechanism of action is medically highly interesting.

An antiviral and anti-ulcer effect is also suspected. Licorice root is also said to be able to liquefy mucus collected in the airways (expectorant). Colds with cough can be alleviated in this way, and medicinal teas with licorice root are prescribed here as well. Licorice root is most commonly used for stomach complaints such as gastritis and respiratory tract issues.

Dried and crushed or grated, licorice root and its shoots can be used to prepare a tea. A cold infusion is also possible.

Even in ancient times, people knew and used the plant as a remedy. Today, many studies investigate the mechanisms of action of licorice in detail. The medicinal potential of licorice root was honored with the title "Medicinal Plant of the Year", awarded in 2012.

In Europe, licorice root is mainly used in medicinal teas for colds or stomach ailments. The range of uses is more diverse in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Here, essential oils of licorice root are used, as well as dried licorice roots, plant extracts, and the like. They help, for example, against inflammation and for immune regulation.

 

For a certain active ingredient to be used in conventional medicine, large-scale studies must extensively prove the efficacy and safety of a preparation. A remedy can therefore have (suggested) effects without officially having a therapeutic indication. 

The use of licorice has been medically recognized in the following cases:

• Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining)
• Stomach and duodenal ulcers
• Cough and bronchial catarrh

A small study, which is not sufficient for a therapeutic indication, points to an anti-inflammatory effect on skin eczema. In traditional medicine, preparations with licorice root are also used against heartburn. There is also a slight suspicion that licorice root could help during menopause.

Please observe the limits of self-medication and always use licorice roots only in consultation with medical professionals or therapists. Especially if you are taking medication, the use of licorice roots could cause interactions.

 

Licorice root is used not only for its medicinal properties. In industry, licorice roots are often used to enhance flavor. The contained glycyrrhizin is 50 times sweeter than household sugar. It is therefore added to certain foods to make them taste sweeter. Teas are often sweetened with licorice root without sugar. 

Many tobacco manufacturers add licorice root to their tobacco to make the smoke taste more pleasant and sweeter. Components of licorice roots are also used as additives in animal feed.

Not least, the cosmetics industry takes advantage of licorice root: Due to its anti-inflammatory and possibly skin-lightening properties, licorice root can be found in some creams and lotions. 

 

Hardly any medicinal plant has such a rich and long-standing history as licorice. The licorice root is already mentioned in the oldest work of Traditional Chinese Medicine: the Shennong ben cao jing. Today, this remedy is considered one of the 10 most important natural medicines in China.

Other traditional medical systems such as Indian Ayurveda medicine or traditional Japanese or Persian medicine have known licorice root as a remedy for many centuries.

Licorice root has long provided relief even in Europe. In Babylonian and ancient Egyptian sources, licorice is already mentioned as a medicinal plant. In Central Europe and especially Northern Europe, licorice spread much later. Nevertheless, for example, Hildegard of Bingen personally referred to certain effects of licorice roots. Today, licorice is especially popular as a candy in Northern Europe, where it arrived relatively late.

 

The perennial, hardy herb can grow up to two meters tall. The stems sprout anew every year. The flowers range from light violet to white. The licorice root develops as a long taproot, which branches extensively and becomes woody over time.

 

Although licorice root has long been used as a medicinal plant, it should not be consumed excessively. The high glycyrrhizin content can raise blood pressure and disrupt blood sugar levels if taken in excess. It also appears to affect potassium balance.

People with kidney problems, diabetes, or high blood pressure, as well as pregnant women, should avoid consuming licorice root or consult their doctor beforehand.

 

Licorice is quite easy to care for once you have chosen the right location. You should plant licorice in spring. Do not plant the plants too close together, with a distance of about 50 cm between them. A deep, humus-rich, and well-drained soil in full sun is ideal. Cottage gardens and herb gardens are excellent. The plant only needs to be kept slightly moist and can be harvested from the third or fourth year. 

If you want to make a tincture with licorice root yourself, put 50 g of the crushed roots into a sealable jar. Add about 200 milliliters of a spirit with at least 40% alcohol. Place the jar in a warm spot for three weeks and shake it regularly.

 

As with many plants, the dose matters with licorice. In excessive amounts, the ingredients can affect the body's own hormones. Consumption is generally discouraged for diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, as well as during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

By the way: The saying “to grate licorice” comes from the old practice of grating licorice into medicinal tea for cough relief or similar, which was naturally seen as a flattering gesture. 

And finally: Did you know that Napoleon reportedly always carried a bag of licorice root powder with him? He is said to have used it to treat his gastritis, which shows that even the French ruler was aware of the effects of these roots.

 

There is generally no allergy to licorice. However, if you suffer from, for example, a histamine intolerance, you should not consume licorice because it contains histamine. 

Many teas contain licorice to provide natural sweetness without sugar. Certain ingredients are up to 50 times sweeter than sugar and are therefore ideal for use in tea.

Licorice is the plant behind the sweet treat licorice. It belongs to the subfamily of the pea family in the legume family. For centuries to millennia, teas have been brewed from it for various purposes. Licorice root is also used to make licorice candy.  

True licorice is very widespread. It can be found throughout the Mediterranean region, as well as in areas like China and even Russia. The fact that licorice is a true all-rounder is evident in that it thrives both in dry areas and swampy regions. So feel free to try growing licorice in your garden. Tips and tricks can be found above.