Common Name: Licorice
Scientific Name:
Glycyrrhiza glabra (Glycyrrhiza glabra), belonging to the legume family
(Fabaceae), order Fabaceae, and class Angiosperms (flowering plants).
An extract of the taproot and auxiliary rhizomes has a sweet and
aromatic flavor. Dried licorice rhizomes resemble very hard, fibrous pieces of
dried wood, with a brown skin and yellow interior. It is sold in markets as dried
wood pieces or as a powder with a concentrated aromatic scent, a sweet taste,
and partial solubility in water.
Culinary Uses: Like
vanilla pods, licorice can be used to impart a sweet flavor or taste, and like
dried juniper berries, it can be used to reduce saltiness.
Licorice powder or licorice compound can be added directly to
recipes—whether used in meat rubs, stirred into cake batter, or added to
custards.
Licorice flavoring is added to a variety of popular desserts. It
is common to mix licorice with mint, menthol, anise, or bay leaf.
In the Netherlands, salmiak liquorice, which is mixed with
ammonium chloride salt, is known as zoute drop (salted licorice) because it
contains a small amount of table salt. This type of sweet—that is, a strong,
salty treat—is also common in Nordic countries. Dried licorice root sticks are
a traditional sweet in the Netherlands, sold for their sweet taste.
In Italy, Spain, and France, licorice is popular in its natural
form. The roots are dug up, washed, dried, and chewed as a breath freshener.
Throughout Italy, unsweetened licorice is consumed in the form of small black
pieces made only from 100% pure licorice extract.
Licorice is used in Syria and Egypt, where it is sold as a
beverage in shops and by street vendors.
Medical uses: Licorice
accelerates the healing of the stomach lining in cases of food poisoning,
stomach ulcers, and gastritis due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It also
relieves stomach pain, nausea, and heartburn because it contains certain
flavonoid compounds, such as glabridin and glabrin. It helps treat peptic
ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which is one of the causes of
stomach ulcers. It also relieves symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn, as its
roots contain glycyrrhetinic acid; and it treats constipation.
Licorice helps treat respiratory disorders by loosening phlegm
and expelling mucus and other substances from the trachea and lungs. It treats
coughs, colds, bronchitis, and some lung diseases, such as tuberculosis. It
also helps treat asthma by reducing bronchial constriction, thus alleviating
symptoms. Gargling with a licorice solution for 1-15 minutes before surgery can
help prevent or reduce the severity of postoperative sore throats in patients
who have a breathing tube.
The polyphenols in licorice induce programmed cell death
(apoptosis), which may help fight certain types of cancer, such as breast
cancer. Additionally, it may help treat inflammation of the oral mucous
membranes, a common ailment among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and
radiation therapy. Applying licorice extract topically can help relieve the
swelling and itching associated with skin inflammation, eczema, or psoriasis.
It may also help lighten the skin and protect it from UV damage.
Licorice helps treat adrenal insufficiency, as it regulates
adrenal gland function due to its cortisol-like properties. It also helps treat
rheumatoid arthritis and gout by reducing levels of cytokines associated with
inflammation and swelling. Furthermore, it can help alleviate menopausal
symptoms and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) because it contains isoflavones that
help balance estrogen and progesterone levels in the body, thus reducing hot
flashes and abdominal cramps. Licorice also contributes to treating fertility
problems resulting from hormonal imbalances, such as polycystic ovary syndrome
(PCOS).
Licorice helps prevent liver diseases because it contains
glycyrrhizin, which restores the balance of liver enzymes. It may also help
treat chronic hepatitis C that does not respond to other treatments.
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