What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of licorice? Sweet, black rubbery candy? Licorice candy rarely contains the real thing – licorice root. It’s created using synthetic anise flavour, black food colouring, sugar, wheat and other additives and offers no health benefits other than a quick source of energy. If you are a lover of all things natural and medicinal, you will know licorice as a therapeutic tea or tincture for stress and sugar cravings.
Naturally Sweet
Glycyrrhiza glabra is Licorice’s botanical name. Glycyrrhiza is a Greek word for sweet root – “glukos” translates to sweet, and “riza” translates to root. It is the root that yields the sweetness (30- 50 times sweeter than sugar).
Historical Uses of Licorice Root
Sticks of licorice root resemble plain wooden sticks and are soft enough to chew on. They were sold in Yorkshire sweet shops in the 50s as a candy. The Dutch, Danish and Swedish children also enjoyed the sweet root. In Italy it is still found as a long stick and chewed on to pass time or satisfy a sweet craving. Licorice was not only consumed as candy it was used in tobacco manufacturing. Some cigarette companies added licorice to tobacco with sugars, propylene glycol and glycerol in order to create a unique flavour. Beer makers would add licorice to their brew to give it a foamy head. And the foaming properties of licorice extract suggested yet another use: fire extinguishers. Licorice extinguishers, which formed an oxygen-free foam, became important in fighting oil fires in the days before chemical extinguishers. The left over stringy fibers were not wasted either. The fiber was dried and made into insulating wall and box board. So the box your licorice candy was packaged in might also be made of licorice.
Licorice Root Benefits
Licorice root is widely used to this date in Chinese, Ayurvedic and Western Herbal Medicine. In Chinese medicine it is combined with other herbs to harmonise the ingredients and yield a potent mixture.
1. A demulcent, soothing, coating and protective agent for irritated, inflammed and red mucous membranes of the respiratory, digestive and urinary systems. In the digestive system it is indicated for mouth and peptic ulcers, dyspepsia and as a natural antacid. With these actions, it may also be used as a topical application for eczema.
2. An expectorant, to help rid phlegm in colds and hayfever symptoms.
3. A wonderful remedy for stress by acting as an adaptogen, helping our adrenals better cope with physical and emotional stress. It is also used as a general tonic for endurance and stamina.
4. Acts as a mild laxative to relieve constipation.
5. Anti-inflammatory properties may ease the pain of arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.
6. Studies have shown that it helps the liver neutralise toxins and can be beneficial in treating liver disorders such as hepatitis.
7. Recommended by herbalists as a substitute for St. Johns Wort as a treatment for depression. It is reported to significantly ease pre-menstrual tension.
8. Treatment for Polycystic ovarian syndrome. Herbalists combine licorice root with the herb Peony.
9. Anti diabetic – Scientists have discovered that licorice root might also be effective in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and excess weight. Many clinicians believe that the best treatment for type 2 diabetes is to prevent it before it starts. The group that made the discovery is based at the Max Plank Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin, Germany. A research team there identified a group of natural substances within licorice root called amorfrutins.
10. Weight loss – A Japanese study showed that licorice reduced body fat mass in overweight individuals. Read on here.
Precautions
People who regularly take large amounts of licorice of more than 20 g per day may contribute to a rise in blood levels of the hormone aldosterone, which can cause serious side effects, including headache, high blood pressure, and heart problems. For people who already have high blood pressure or heart or kidney disease, as little as 5 g per day can cause these side effects. Many literature states that further studies are needed. I have never encountered any side effects of licorice in my clinical practice but this might be due to careful prescription and application. For drug interactions read on here.
How to Take Licorice
Dried root: 1 – 5 g as an infusion or decoction (boiled), 3 times daily.
See your natural health practitioner for a prescritpion and specific dose in the form of a tonic/tincture or capsule/tablet form. Herbal tonics or tinctures are only available with a prescription from your Naturopath or Herbalist. A qualified practitioner will ensure your medication, supplements or disease state does not interact with the herbs. When a herbalist prescribes herbal medicine they consider one’s constitution: age, allergies, sensitiveness, robustness, size, temperature, current status of health and personality. Always remember to tell you practitioner if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Tips and Extra Information
– Buy organic licorice root as conventional licorice is grown in soils filled with fertilisers, weedicides and pesticides that can readily be absorbed by the root.
– If you don’t like licorice candy you may still like licorice root tea. It tastes sweet and rooty.
– Licorice root tea is caffeine free and the infusion is a clear, yellow colour, not black.
