That black licorice candy some people enjoy? May not actually be licorice. Many licorice candies made in the United States actually get their flavor from anise! Other countries still use the real thing in candies; licorice also has some history as a healing herb.
Licorice is seen in ancient medical writings from around the world. Chinese herbalists suggested licorice to soothe sore throats and ease thirst. Native Americans used wild licorice to treat earaches. Many people ate the root fresh!
A Greek historian wrote of licorice as a treatment for asthma and other respiratory ailments, but was most taken with the root’s ability to quench thirst. Theophrastus claimed that a person could go eleven or twelve days without drinking if they only ate licorice and cheese. A modern physician suggests that this claim may indeed be fact. Licorice causes water retention. Eat enough licorice and you may have less of a need to drink.
The majority of licorice imported into the United States is used in tobacco products.
Here are some popular uses for licorice:
- Licorice is quite often seen in cough syrups and throat lozenges. The herb can help soothe coughs and bring up phlegm.
- Licorice contains a natural sweetener called glycyrrhizin. Glycyrrhizin is fifty times sweeter than sugar! It can also stimulate the adrenal cortex and may be useful in treating Addison’s disease (low adrenal cortex activity).
- Licorice contains terpene, which has mild estrogenic effects. Licorice may be useful in treating PMS and menopause symptoms.
- Licorice may be useful in treating infections — scientists have recently started exploring the antibacterial and antiviral properties of licorice.
- Licorice helps open pores and can be useful in facials.
- Licorice in shampoo can suppress scalp oil production.
- Licorice is popular in eye drops used for relieving redness.
- Chewing on licorice root may be useful to dieters or people trying to quit smoking. The root has a sweet taste that can satisfy sugar cravings and it gives you something to do with your hands and mouth.