Latin Name
Glycyrrhiza glabra

General Description
Distinguished by tiny violet flowers that bloom in the summer, licorice is one of the most commonly used medicinal herbs. Its sweet taste, alleged to be 50 times sweeter than sugar, masks the bitterness in any herbal mixture. Chinese and Western herbalists use licorice root as a cough suppressant and maintain that it also soothes the mouth and throat. In addition they prescribe it for digestive disorders, believing that it acts as a mild laxative and prevents stomach ulcers by forming a protective coating on the stomach wall. Applying licorice as an external antibiotic, practitioners think it relieves skin irritations such as eczema and herpes sores.

Target Ailments
Taken internally for:

• Cough, sore throat, colic, constipation, heartburn, stomach ulcers, arthritis, hepatitis and cirrhosis.
  

Applied externally for:

• Skin infections, eczema and herpes sores.

Preparations
Over the counter:
Licorice is available as dried root, liquid extract and capsules.

At home:
Tea: 1 oz. licorice root boiled in 1 cup water for 15 to 20 minutes.
Antibiotic: Licorice powder sprinkled directly on the infection or sore.

Special Information

• WARNING: While licorice is safe in moderate, short-term doses, taken in large amounts over a long period, it can affect the body's electrolyte balance, retaining sodium but depleting the body of potassium. This in turn can lead to high blood pressure and edema. Consult your practitioner for advice.
  
• Do not use licorice root if you have edema, high blood pressure, kidney disease or glaucoma.
  
• Avoid the herb if you are pregnant. It causes increased production of aldosterone, a hormone that regulates the salt and water balance of the body, resulting in a rise of blood pressure.