Licorice

Even though we all think of candy when we think of licorice, it is actually a flavourful herb that has been used in a diverse array of foods and medicines for thousands of years. Also known as "sweet root," the licorice root contains a compound that is about 50 times sweeter than sugar. Licorice root is used in both Eastern and Western medicine to treat a variety of illnesses, ranging from the common cold to liver disease. This herb has long been valued as a soothing, coating agent (demulcent) and for ridding phlegm and mucous from the respiratory tract (expectorant). It is still used today to treat a variety of conditions.

The plant

Licorice grows wild in some parts of Europe and Asia. The plant is perennial, meaning that it does not die after one season of growth, and grows to be 90 to 200 centimetres tall. It has an extensive branching root system. The roots— straight pieces of wrinkled, fibrous wood—are long and cylindrical, growing horizontally underground. Licorice roots are brown on the outside and yellow on the inside— licorice supplements are made from these roots and the underground stems of the plant.

Medicinal benefits

Canker sores (a type of ulcer): People with canker sores who gargled four times per day with DGL (licorice with the chemical component glycyrrhiza removed) dissolved in warm water experienced pain relief.

Eczema: Licorice gel, applied topically, is said to relieve symptoms of itching, swelling and redness.

Upper respiratory tract ailments: Licorice has traditionally been used to treat coughs and mild respiratory tract infections.

Forms

Licorice products are made from the plant’s peeled and unpeeled dried root. From these, there are powdered and finely chopped root preparations made for teas, tablets and capsules, as well as liquid extracts. Licorice can be taken in the following forms:

Dried root: one to five grams as an infusion or decoction (boiled), three times daily.

Licorice tincture (an alcohol-based derivative of the fresh herb): two to five millilitres, three times daily (made into a gel).

Paediatric

Older children experiencing symptoms of a sore throat may find relief from chewing a piece of licorice root or drinking licorice tea. The appropriate dose of tea for a child should be determined by adjusting the recommended adult dose to account for the child's weight. Most herbal dosages for adults are calculated for a 70-kilogram adult. Therefore, if the child weighs 20 to 25 kilograms, the appropriate dose of licorice

would be one third of the adult dosage. Do not give a child licorice tea for more than a day without talking to your doctor first—and never give licorice tea to an infant or toddler.

Warnings

Do not use these doses of licorice for longer than a week without consulting your doctor—licorice root carries the risk of potentially dangerous side effects such as increased blood pressure. People with the following conditions should not try licorice:

- Heart failure

- Heart disease

- Fluid retention

- High blood pressure (hypertension)

- Diabetes

- Kidney disease

- Liver disease

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take licorice in any form.