...Liquorice or licorice is the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra from which a sweet flavour can be extracted. The liquorice plant is a herbaceous perennial legume native to the Western Asia and southern Europe. It is not botanically related to anise, star anise, or fennel, which are sources of similar flavouring compounds.

Family: Fabaceae

Scientific name: Glycyrrhiza glabra

Kingdom: Plantae

Higher classification: Licorices

Order: Fabales

Rank: Species

Common Names: licorice root, licorice, liquorice, sweet root, gan cao, gan-zao, Chinese licorice

Latin Names: Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza uralensis

...Licorice is an herb that is native to the Mediterranean, southern and central Russia, and Asia Minor to Iran. Many species are now grown throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Licorice contains glycyrrhizic acid, which can cause complications when eaten in large quantities. Many "licorice" products manufactured in the U.S. actually don't contain any licorice. Instead, they contain anise oil, which has the characteristic smell and taste of "black licorice."

...Licorice is a herb that people have used for thousands of years to treat a variety of ailments. Although licorice does have medicinal effects, scientific research only supports some of its uses, and it may not be safe for everyone.

Due to its sweet flavor, licorice is also popular as a sweetener in candies, and manufacturers sometimes use it to mask the flavor of medications. Some licorice candy does not contain any part of the licorice plant but uses anise oil as a flavoring instead because it tastes and smells similar to licorice.

Licorice is available in many forms, including herbal teas, candies, capsules of dried herb, and liquid extract.

• Most licorice root grows in Greece, Turkey, and Asia. Anise oil is often used instead of licorice root to flavor licorice candy.
• Centuries ago, licorice root was used in Greece, China, and Egypt for stomach inflammation and upper respiratory problems. Licorice root also has been used as a sweetener.
• Today, people use licorice root as a dietary supplement for digestive problems, menopausal symptoms, cough, and bacterial and viral infections. People also use it as a shampoo.
• Licorice is harvested from the plants’ roots and underground stems. Licorice supplements are available as capsules, tablets, and liquid extracts.

How Much Do We Know?

• A number of studies of licorice root in people have been published, but not enough to support the use for any specific health condition.

What Have We Learned?

• Glycyrrhizin—a compound found in licorice root—has been tested in a few clinical trials in hepatitis C patients, but there’s currently not enough evidence to determine if it’s helpful. Laboratory studies done in Japan (where an injectable glycyrrhizin compound is used in people with chronic hepatitis C who do not respond to conventional treatment) suggest that glycyrrhizin may have some effect against hepatitis C.
• There’s some evidence that topical licorice extract may improve skin rash symptoms, such as redness, swelling, and itching.
• A Finnish study of mothers and their young children suggested that eating a lot of actual licorice root during pregnancy may harm a child’s developing brain, leading to reasoning and behavioral issues, such as attention problems, rule-breaking, and aggression.
• Studies of licorice root extracts in people for cavities, mouth ulcers, and oral yeast infections have returned mixed results.

What Do We Know About Safety?

• In large amounts and with long-term use, licorice root can cause high blood pressure and low potassium levels, which could lead to heart and muscle problems. Some side effects are thought to be due to a chemical called glycyrrhizic acid. Licorice that has had this chemical removed (called DGL for deglycyrrhizinated licorice) may not have the same degree of side effects.
• Taking licorice root containing glycyrrhizinic acid with medications that reduce potassium levels such as diuretics might be bad for your heart.
• Pregnant women should avoid using licorice root as a supplement or consuming large amounts of it as food.

What is the dosage for licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)?

• Upset stomach: A combination product containing licorice is used as 1 ml by mouth three times daily.
• Ulcer: Take 760-1520 mg by mouth with meals for 8 to 16 weeks.
• Cough: Take 0.5 to 1 gram of powdered root one to three times a day.
• Root: Take 1 to 4 gram by mouth three times a day.
• Tea: Prepare tea with 1 to 4 gram of root per 150 ml water; drink 1 cup up to three times a day.

What preparations of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) are available?

Licorice roots are available as tablets, powder, and liquid formulations. Concentration of licorice may vary from product-to-product due to multiple manufacturers producing various products. Check the licorice product for the actual amount of licorice contained in the product. Often these products are supplemented with anise oil which has a similar smell and taste.

Healing substances

Hundreds of potentially healing substances have been identified in licorice as well, including compounds called flavonoids and various plant estrogens (phytoestrogens). The herb's key therapeutic compound, glycyrrhizin (which is 50 times sweeter than sugar) exerts numerous beneficial effects on the body, making licorice a valuable herb for treating a host of ailments. It seems to prevent the breakdown of adrenal hormones such as cortisol (the body's primary stress-fighting adrenal hormone), making these hormones more available to the body.

It has a well-documented reputation for healing ulcers. It can lower stomach acid levels, relieve heartburn and indigestion and acts as a mild laxative.

It can also be used for irritation, inflammation and spasm in the digestive tract. Through its beneficial action on the liver, it increases bile flow and lowers cholesterol levels.

Boosts immune system

Licorice also appears to enhance immunity by boosting levels of interferon, a key immune system chemical that fights off attacking viruses. It also contains powerful antioxidants as well as certain phytoestrogens that can perform some of the functions of the body's natural estrogens; very helpful during the menopause. Glycyrrhizinic acid also seems to stop the growth of many bacteria and of viruses such as influenza A.

Relieves pain and stress

It has an aspirin-like action and is helpful in relieving fevers and soothing pain such as headaches. Its anti-allergenic effect is very useful for hay fever, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and bronchial asthma. Possibly by its action on the adrenal glands, licorice has the ability to improve resistance to stress. It should be thought of during times of both physical and emotional stress, after surgery or during convalescence, or when feeling tired and run down

Skin inflammation and infection

Eczema is the term for a group of skin conditions that, according to the National Eczema Association, affect over 30 million people in the United States.

Eczema can cause itching, redness, scaling, and inflammation.

Glycyrrhiza glabra extract, or licorice root extract, may be effective against bacteria that can infect the skin, according to a study in the Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research.

The study showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, which can cause skin infections, such as impetigo, cellulitis, and folliculitis. In this study, the researchers used extracts from the leaves and roots of the plant.