Licorice Root

Licorice Root

Licorice root is from the legume family. It is a hardy perennial herbaceous plant native to the south of Europe. It grows widely in the Aegean, Mediterranean, Southeastern and Eastern Anatolia regions of our country, especially along river banks. It can grow up to 50-100 cm. It has compound leaves consisting of long, thin, dark green leaflets; bluish purple, sometimes white or yellowish flowers that bloom in sparse spikes in the leaf axils of the plant in summer; and flat fruits that are 7-10 cm long. 

The rhizome of the plant that concerns our subject is the cylindrical rootstock with a diameter of 0.5-2.5 cm and a length of 15-50 cm. This root, which is brown when shelled and yellow when peeled, is sweet at first but then becomes bitter. Licorice (or Licorice Root) plant likes sandy, deep and humus soils and places with plenty of sun. It reproduces by its shed seeds or by dividing the root and planting. 

The rhizome root of licorice contains glycyrrhizin, which is fifty times sweeter than regular sugar, as well as substances called flavones, saponins and coumarins; bitter-tasting volatile oils, starch and sticky plant liquid. These roots are used in the pharmaceutical and beer industries, and in the production of cola drinks. In Anatolia, sherbet is made from this root and drunk. Licorice honey obtained from its three-year-old roots is sold in the form of dark powder, sticks or quadrangular pieces and is used as a medicine. 

Use in folk medicine:

1. It is effective in chest diseases: It softens the chest, removes phlegm, reduces fever, stops cough; it is curative for colds and bronchitis. It protects the mucosa in the respiratory tract, is good for sore throats. 

2. It is soothing and relaxing. 

3. It has a mild laxative effect, especially for children. 

4. It is a tonic that strengthens the body. 

5. It has healing effects on heartburn, gastritis and stomach ulcers. 

6. It relieves abdominal pain. 

7. It is a diuretic. 

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