Licorice always brings to mind the red or black confection by that name. However, the candy actually contains little or no real licorice. However, the licorice root is rich in value. The name licorice actually comes from two Greek words meaning ‘sweet root.’ It is also called Chinese Licorice, Sweet Licorice, Sweet Wood, Kan-ts’ao, Gan Cao, Kuo-lao, and Yasti Madhu, and others. Used in proper doses, licorice is one of the most powerful herbs available today.

The licorice plant can grow to over four feet with bluish purple and white flowers that resemble the blooms of the sweet pea. The plants are found largely in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. To process the root, the dried licorice roots are cleaned, ground, and then boiled until the mixture is curdled. The strong tasting extract is dried again. This is given natural flavors, then dissolved in water and formed in molds.

Licorice has a long rich history. In ancient Greece and Rome, licorice was employed as a tonic and also as a remedy for colds, coughs, and sore throats. Licorice has been discovered in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs, including that of Tutankhamen. The ancient Hindus believed it increased sexual vigor when prepared as a beverage with milk and sugar. As much as 3000 year ago the Chinese maintained that eating the root would give them strength and endurance and they prepared a special tea of it for use as a medicine. In North American folk medicine, licorice was used as a cough suppressant, expectorant, laxative, and treatment for various cancers. Native Americans used it to alleviate pain in difficult childbirth. Early pharmacists used it as a flavoring and sweetening agent in many of their syrups and lozenges. Today, licorice extracts are popular sweeteners in confections for diabetics and those suffering from hypoglycemia. Recently a sample of historic licorice from 756 A.D. was analyzed and found to retain its active ingredients. In Pontefract, Great Britain, they still celebrate a licorice harvest festival.

Licorice is an antibacterial immune system stimulant. But it also causes other herbs to reach their potential as well. Licorice contains the substance glycyrrhizin that is 50 times sweeter than sugar. Besides sweetening, glycyrrhizin also seems to stop the growth of many viruses such as influenza, as well as bacteria. Licorice is especially powerful against immune suppression radiation treatment, mucous membrane infections, cancers, or general fatigue.

Presently, licorice extracts are used extensively as ingredients in cough drops and syrups, tonics, laxatives, antismoking lozenges, and other preparations. They are also used as flavoring agents to mask bitter, nauseous, or other undesirable tastes in certain medicines. Therefore, it is a useful addition to many children’s formulas.

Licorice is best known to some for its estrogenic effects, which make is a useful herb for menopause. Its antiulcer activity make it an herb of choice for both stomach and duodenal ulceration. Because it stimulates expectoration and is powerfully healing for mucous membrane systems, it has a long history of use for upper respiratory infections. Licorice is used in treating many ailments including arthritis, asthma, athlete’s foot, baldness, body odor, bursitis, canker sores, chronic fatigue, depression, colds and flu, coughs, dandruff, emphysema, fungal infections, gingivitis and tooth decay, gout, heartburn, HIV, liver problems, Lyme disease, menopause, prostate enlargement, psoriasis, shingles, sore throat, tendonitis, tuberculosis, ulcers, viral infections, and yeast infections.

Besides glycyrrhizin, hundreds of other potentially healing substances have also been identified in licorice.  These include compounds called flavonoids and various plant estrogens (phytoestrogens). Licorice is used to encourage and regulate the adrenal glands and the pancreas. Since the adrenalin helps control insulin, these work together. Licorice also acts as a natural cortisone or as a replacement hormone for cortisone. It helps voice improvement and injured voice muscles for both hoarseness or throat damage. Licorice also aids the intestinal tract, acting as a mild laxative. It strengthens the heart and circulatory system.

You can partake of licorice in several ways. It makes an excellent tea and tincture. Of course, it can be used in other forms. For instance, you can put ground licorice root in capsules. It can also make other treatments more palatable. Feel free to add it to dishes in small amounts so as to add nutritional value without changing the flavor.

A few warnings are in order. It is best to use licorice is in combination with other bulk herbs. When used in excess, problems can occur. Licorice can cause water retention and can raise blood pressure. If you suffer from high blood pressure, prolonged use should be avoided. Licorice can also cause a mild unwanted adrenal stimulation. Avoid using too much licorice internally during pregnancy or nursing. Licorice also reacts with many prescription drugs.  For this reason, if you are using other medication, consult with your doctor before taking licorice.