Herb Focus

Mostly associated with a tasty bag of allsorts, liquorice actually begins its life as the dried root of the liquorice plant, a legume (related to beans and peas).

The brown wood like roots are 1-5cm thick with a yellow internal colour with a fibrous texture that can be pulled apart like a long string. Other than health stores, most Asian shops have them in stock as it is a well known ingredient in Chinese cuisine. Liquorice extract is also a familiar ingredient in sweets and drinks. Glycyrrhizin is the main sweet tasting compound from liquorice root. It is 30–50 times as sweet as sucrose.

Less well known are liquorice medical uses. In traditional medicines of China, Japan and other Asian nations liquorice has been used for thousands of years as a treatment for
several ailments:

HELPS LIVER DISEASE Liquorice assists the liver to
neutralise toxins.

EASES STOMACH ULCERS By spreading a protective gel lining over the stomach wall, lowering acid levels, as well as easing painful spasm liquorice assists the healing of ulcers.

RELIEVES CONSTIPATION Liquorice works as a mild laxative. Eating several pieces of real liquorice will stimulate the digestive tract.

SOOTHES BRONCHITIS AND COUGH SYMPTOMS Liquorice moistens the lungs and relieves cough and wheeze. Also many cough lozenges contain liquorice as a cough suppressant.

ACTS AS AN ANTI-DEPRESSANT A tea of liquorice root, ginseng root and St John’s Wort helps to reduce anxiety and depression and helps to maintain emotional balance.

CHRONIC FATIGUE AND LOW BLOOD PRESSURE Fatigue can occur when the body does not produce enough adrenal hormone. Liquorice root supports the adrenal function and enhances the pumping of the blood in the body. In other words, it raises the blood pressure to a healthier level.

NATURAL SWEETENER Root pieces should be crushed or ground before use and kept in an airtight container. You can use it peeled or with skin to naturally sweeten food and drinks.

CHEW ON IT Chewing on a stick of liquorice root can help you relax when feeling stressed as it is said to calm the nerves.

FLAVOUR ENHANCER In Chinese cuisine, liquorice powder is added to broths and dishes with soy sauce. It can enhance the flavour of spicy dishes.