Naming |
| Botanical Name: |
Glycyrrhiza glabra
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| Common Names: |
Licorice, Liquorice, Sweet Root, Black Sugar
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| Key Name: |
Licorice
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| Parts Used: |
Roots, rhizomes, leaves
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| Sister Plants: |
Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Glycyrrhiza inflata, Glycyrrhiza echinata
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| Comments: |
Perennial herb valued for roots; attracts pollinators; thrives in well-drained soils
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Characteristics |
| Identifying Character: |
Herbaceous perennial (3-7 ft), pinnate leaves with 9-17 leaflets, purple-blue pea-like flowers, grows from rhizomes
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| Stem: |
Erect, striated, sparsely branched, up to 1 m
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| Leaves: |
Pinnate, 7-15 cm, 9-17 oblong to elliptic leaflets
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| Flowers: |
Small purple-blue pea-like flowers, 0.5-1 cm, in axillary racemes, June-July
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| Fruit: |
Oblong pods, 1-2 cm, containing 3-5 brown seeds
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| Taste: |
Sweet (roots), mild (leaves)
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| Odour: |
Sweet, earthy scent from roots
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| Root: |
Woody rhizome, long and stoloniferous
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| Image URL: |
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Distribution |
| Distribution: |
Native to Mediterranean, Western Asia, Southern Europe; cultivated in Asia, Europe, Middle East
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| Cultivation: |
Full sun, well-drained sandy or loamy soil; sow rhizomes 40-50 cm apart, moderate drought tolerance
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| Harvest: |
Roots and rhizomes: Fall after 3-4 years; leaves: Summer
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Medical |
| Therapeutic Action: |
Anti-inflammatory, expectorant, demulcent, antiviral
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| Medical Uses: |
Roots for respiratory infections, ulcers, sore throats, hepatitis; leaves for minor skin issues
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| Constituents: |
Glycyrrhizin, glabridin, flavonoids, saponins
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| Solvents: |
Water, alcohol, methanol
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| Dosage: |
Infusion: 1 tsp dried root in hot water, 1-2 times daily
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| Administration: |
Internal: Infusion, tincture; External: Poultice
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| Formulas: |
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| Contra Indications: |
Excessive use (>2 mg/kg/day glycyrrhizin) may cause hypertension, hypokalemia; avoid in pregnancy
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| Preparation: |
Infusion: Steep 1 tsp dried root in hot water 10-15 min
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| Chinese: |
Tonifies qi, relieves pain and cough (Traditional Chinese Medicine)
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| Veterinary: |
Used for digestive support in livestock
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| Homeopathic: |
No known homeopathic use documented
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Pollination and Pollinators |
| Apis: |
Yes
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| Pollinator: |
bees
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| Pollen: |
Yes
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| Pollen Notes: |
Pollen attracts bees, some self-pollination
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| Nectar: |
Yes
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| Nectar Notes: |
Nectar-rich, attracts honeybees, native bees, early pollinators
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Other |
| Non-Medical Uses: |
Flavoring agent, dye, cosmetic ingredient
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| Culinary Uses: |
Roots in candies, teas, sauces; leaves as seasoning'
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| History: |
sed since 2100 BC in Egypt, Rome, China; flavoring since 18th century England
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| Reference: |
2 https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Glycyrrhiza+glabra
herbalist1',
'Herbal Community',
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| URL: |
https://usbm.ca/ency
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| Share: |
Public
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