Licorice is the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra, from which a sweet flavour can be extracted.
The liquorice plant is a legume (related to beans and peas) and native to southern Europe and parts of Asia. It
is a herbaceous perennial, growing to 1 metre in height, with pinnate leaves about 7–15 centimetres (3–6 inches)
long, with 9–17 leaflets. The flowers are 0.8–1.2 cm (1/3 to 1/2 inch) long, purple to pale whitish blue, produced
in a loose inflorescence. The fruit is an oblong pod, 2–3 centimetres (about 1 inch) long, containing several seeds.
Liquorice is grown as a root crop mainly in southern Europe.
Liquorice extract is produced by boiling liquorice root and subsequently evaporating most of the water (in fact,
the word 'liquorice' is derived from the Ancient Greek words for 'sweet root'). Liquorice extract is traded both
in solid and syrup form. Its active principle is glycyrrhizin, a sweetener more than 50 times as sweet as sucrose
which also has pharmaceutical effects. The related Chinese Liquorice (G. uralensis), which is used extensively in
traditional Chinese medicine, contains this chemical in much greater concentration.
Powdered liquorice root is an effective expectorant - a medicine which increases the expulsion of tracheal or
bronchial mucus through expectoration or coughing, and has been used for this purpose since ancient times, especially
in Ayurvedic medicine where it is also used in tooth powders. Modern cough syrups often include liquorice extract
as an ingredient. Additionally, liquorice may be useful in conventional and naturopathic medicinal uses for both
mouth ulcers and peptic ulcers. Licorice has also been noted to help with liver disease and reduce the risk of
liver cancer; and increases T-Cell count and interferon production, boosting immune response to viruses such as
hepatitis and influenza.
Licorice can have some unfortunate negative side effects. Large doses of licorice can lead to hypokalemia and
serious increases in blood pressure. To decrease the chances of these serious side effects, deglycyrrhizinated
liquorice (DGL) preparations are available.
