Everything You Need to Know About

Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Botanical family: Fabaceae
Parts used: Roots
Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Left Image

Overview and Health Benefits:

Liquorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), known for its distinctive sweet, earthy flavor, has been a beloved ingredient in both confectionery and traditional medicine for centuries. More than just a treat, liquorice root is highly valued in herbal medicine for its extensive therapeutic properties. It possesses potent anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects and is recognized as an adaptogen, helping the body to manage stress. This versatile herb is commonly used to soothe respiratory and digestive issues, thanks to its calming nature. Additionally, modern research supports its benefits in relieving stress and protecting the liver. With its wide range of health benefits, liquorice root remains an essential element in herbal practices today, continually validated by both historical use and contemporary scientific research.

Key Benefits:

  • Respiratory Health
  • Digestive Aid
  • Liver Protection
  • Antiviral, Antimicrobial and Immunity-Supporting Activity
  • Adaptogenic and Endocrine Support

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Key Body Systems Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) relates to

Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Digestive System
Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Nervous system
Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Respiratory system
Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Immune System
Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Endocrine and or Reproductive System

Energetics

Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Moistening
Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Cooling

Key actions

  • Adaptogen
  • Demulcent
  • Digestive
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Expectorant
Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Key uses

  • Stomach acidity
  • Peptic ulcers
  • Inflammatory bowel problems
  • Mild constipation
  • Nausea
  • Liver congestion
  • Adaptogenic, strengthening tonic to improve resistance to physical and mental stress
  • Fatigue
  • Irritation and inflammation of respiratory tract
  • Coughs
  • Certain vital infections

Where to Find Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

What it looks like and where to find it

Liquorice is a distinctive and remarkable plant belonging to the Fabaceae family, a group renowned for its legumes, which include peas and beans. This perennial herb can grow up to 1.5 metres tall and is characterised by its lush, feathery foliage made up of pinnate leaves that are soft to the touch. The plant produces small, pale blue to violet flowers that bloom in dense, clustered racemes during the summer months, later giving way to flattened, brown seed pods. The root system is the true treasure of liquorice, with long, fibrous roots that burrow deep into the soil, making it particularly challenging to harvest.

To identify liquorice, look for a tall herb with compound leaves and delicate, legume-like flowers. The leaves are arranged alternately along the stem, each composed of multiple oval-shaped leaflets. The Fabaceae family trait of producing pod-like fruits is evident in liquorice, aiding its identification.

Liquorice thrives in well-drained, sandy soils and is commonly found in Mediterranean climates. It favours regions with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, growing naturally across southern Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, particularly in countries like Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Iran. This plant prefers sunny locations but can tolerate partial shade, often growing along riverbanks and in areas with loose, fertile soil. The plant's resilience in arid conditions and its deep root system make it well-suited to semi-desert areas, where it has long been cultivated and harvested for its medicinal and sweet-tasting roots.

References

References

Acharya, S. K., Dasarathy, S., Tandon, A., Joshi, Y. K., & Tandon, B. N. (1993). A preliminary open trial on interferon stimulator (SNMC) derived from Glycyrrhiza glabra in the treatment of subacute hepatic failure. Indian Journal of Medical Research, 98, 69-74. PMID: 8344734. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8344734/ 

Barnes, J., Anderson, L.A., & Phillipson, J.D. (2007). Herbal medicines (3rd ed.). Pharmaceutical Press.

Buhner, S. H. (2013). Herbal Antivirals: Natural Remedies for Emerging & Resistant Viral Infections. Storey Publishing.

Fiore, C., Eisenhut, M., Ragazzi, E., Zanchin, G., & Armanini, D. (2005). A history of the therapeutic use of liquorice in Europe. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 99(3), 317-324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2005.04.015

Fiore, C., Eisenhut, M., Krausse, R., Ragazzi, E., Pellati, D., Armanini, D., & Bielenberg, J. (2007). Antiviral effects of Glycyrrhiza species. Phytotherapy Research, 22(2), 141-148. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2295

Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical herbalism: The science and practice of herbal medicine. Healing Arts Press.

Makino, T. (2021). Exploration for the real causative agents of liquorice-induced pseudoaldosteronism. Journal of Natural Medicines, 75(2), 275–283. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-021-01484-3

Martin, M. D., Sherman, J., van der Ven, P., & Burgess, J. (2008). A controlled trial of a dissolving oral patch concerning glycyrrhiza (liquorice) herbal extract for the treatment of aphthous ulcers. General Dentistry, 56(2), 206-210. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18348383/ 

McIntyre, A. (2019). The complete herbal tutor. Aeon. 

Rauf, A., Akram, M., Semwal, P., Mujawah, A. A. H., Muhammad, N., Riaz, Z., Munir, N., Piotrovsky, D., Vdovina, I., Bouyahya, A., Adetunji, C. O., Shariati, M. A., Almarhoon, Z. M., Mabkhot, Y. N., & Khan, H. (2021). Antispasmodic Potential of Medicinal Plants: A Comprehensive Review. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2021, 4889719. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/4889719. PMCID: PMC8601825.

Raveendra, K. R., Srinivasa, V. J., Sushma, K. R., Allan, J. J., Goudar, K. S., Shivaprasad, H. N., Venkateshwarlu, K., Geetharani, P., Sushma, G., & Agarwal, A. (2012). An extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra (GutGard) alleviates symptoms of functional dyspepsia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012, Article 216970. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/216970

Romm, A. (2017). Botanical medicine for women’s health. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Ruetzler, K., Fleck, M., Nabecker, S., Pinter, K., Landskron, G., Lassnigg, A., You, J., & Sessler, D. I. (2013). A randomized, double-blind comparison of liquorice versus sugar-water gargle for prevention of postoperative sore throat and postextubation coughing. Anesthesia & Analgesia, 117(3), 614-621. https://doi.org/10.1213/ANE.0b013e318299a650 

Tominaga, Y., Nakagawa, K., Mae, T., Kitano, M., Yokota, S., Arai, T., Ikematsu, H., & Inoue, S. (2009). liquorice flavonoid oil reduces total body fat and visceral fat in overweight subjects: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Obesity Research & Clinical Practice, 3(3), I-IV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orcp.2009.04.005