Naming |
| Botanical Name: |
Glycyrrhiza glabra
|
| Common Names: |
Licorice, Liquorice, Sweet Root, Black Sugar
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| Key Name: |
Licorice
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| Parts Used: |
Roots, rhizomes, leaves
|
| Sister Plants: |
Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Glycyrrhiza inflata, Glycyrrhiza echinata
|
| Comments: |
Perennial herb valued for roots; attracts pollinators; thrives in well-drained soils
|
Taxonomy |
| Kingdom |
Viridiplantae |
Phylum |
Streptophyta |
| Class |
Magnoliopsida |
Order |
Fabales |
| Family |
Fabaceae |
Genus |
Glycyrrhiza |
| Species |
glabra |
NCBI Tax ID |
49827
|
| Organism |
|
|
Characteristics |
| Identifying Character: |
Herbaceous perennial (3-7 ft), pinnate Leaves with 9-17 leaflets, purple-blue pea-like flowers, grows from rhizomes
|
| Stem: |
Erect, striated, sparsely branched, up to 1 m
|
| Leaves: |
Pinnate, 7-15 cm, 9-17 oblong to elliptic leaflets
|
| Flowers: |
Small purple-blue pea-like flowers, 0.5-1 cm, in axillary racemes, June-July
|
| Fruit: |
Oblong Pods, 1-2 cm, containing 3-5 brown seeds
|
| Taste: |
Sweet (roots), mild (Leaves)
|
| Odour: |
Sweet, earthy scent from roots
|
| Root: |
Woody rhizome, long and stoloniferous
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| Image: |
(image unavailable)
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Distribution |
| Distribution: |
Native to Mediterranean, Western Asia, Southern Europe; cultivated in Asia, Europe, Middle East
|
| Cultivation: |
Full Sun, well-drained sandy or loamy soil; sow rhizomes 40-50 cm apart, moderate drought tolerance
|
| Harvest: |
roots and rhizomes: Fall after 3-4 years; Leaves: Summer
|
Medical |
| Therapeutic Action: |
Anti-inflammatory, Expectorant, Demulcent, antiviral
|
| Medical Uses: |
roots for respiratory infections, Ulcers, sore throats, Hepatitis; Leaves for minor skin issues
|
| Constituents: |
Glycyrrhizin, glabridin, flavonoids (flavonoids)">flavonoids, Saponins
|
| Solvents: |
Water, alcohol, methanol
|
| Dosage: |
infusion: 1 tsp dried root in hot water, 1-2 times daily
|
| Administration: |
Internal: infusion, Tincture; External: Poultice
|
| Formulas: |
|
| Contra Indications: |
Excessive use (>2 mg/kg/day glycyrrhizin) may cause Hypertension, hypokalemia; avoid in Pregnancy
|
| Preparation: |
infusion: Steep 1 tsp dried root in hot water 10-15 min
|
| Chinese: |
Tonifies qi, relieves pain and cough (Traditional Chinese Medicine)
|
| Veterinary: |
Used for Digestive support in livestock
|
| Homeopathic: |
No known homeopathic use documented
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Pollination and Pollinators |
| Apis: |
Yes
|
| Pollinator: |
bees
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| Pollen: |
Yes
|
| Pollen Notes: |
Pollen attracts bees, some self-pollination
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| Nectar: |
Yes
|
| Nectar Notes: |
Nectar-rich, attracts honeybees, native bees, early pollinators
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Other |
| Non-Medical Uses: |
Flavoring agent, dye, cosmetic ingredient
|
| 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',
|
| URL: |
https://usbm.ca/ency
|
| Share: |
Public
|