Licorice - Uses and Health Benefits

Licorice is a botanical plant with a sweet flavor that is used in traditional medicine for various health conditions. It can be consumed as a tea, supplement, or as a flavoring agent in foods and candies.
Category
Herb
Where to get
Available in health food stores, herbal shops, and online retailers
Applicable for
Prepared by Shruti Sahoo, reviewed by Dr. Eugene Smith

Licorice FAQ


Image credit: cookist.com

What are the benefits of licorice?

Licorice is an antioxidant and also blocks the enzyme needed for melanin (pigment) production and is an excellent brightening agent. (9) Apart from that salicylic acid, deep cleans the pores to prevent breakouts and the resulting pigmentation.

What are the side effects of licorice?

They usually can be attributed to the licorice component glycyrrhizin, which is present in many licorice products but it not present in candy that is known as "red licorice." Licorice side effects can seem harmless, but they also can be similar to extreme health problems such as congestive heart failure.

What is licorice made of?

Find out what licorice is made of and how it’s made in this article. Whether as candy, in cosmetics, tea or cigarettes ( 1), Licorice is widely used in the industry. The basic ingredient of liquorice is raw liquorice, which consists of the root extract of the liquorice root.

Where does licorice come from?

Licorice or ‘Liquorice’ comes from the Glycyrrhiza plant species and is valued for its rich flavor. It derives its name from the Greek word ‘glukurrhiza’ which means ‘sweet root’, attributing to a component called glycyrrhizin present in its root which is much sweeter than sugar. This herb is native to Southern Europe and Asia.

What is licorice used for?

Native to Western Asia and Southern Europe, licorice has long been used to treat various ailments and flavor candies, drinks, and medicines ( 1, 2 ). Despite this history, only some of its uses are backed by scientific research. Furthermore, licorice may carry several health risks.

Is licorice healthy?

Licorice is a naturally fat-free food. There is no protein in a single serving of licorice. Licorice provides no significant vitamins or minerals, other than a minimal amount of sodium and potassium. Although licorice candy is a relatively low-sugar treat (compared to most other types of candy), it provides little to no health benefits.

Licorice References

If you want to know more about Licorice, consider exploring links below:

Explore Related Topics

What role do herbal teas play in fighting resistant infections?

Exchange insights on the effectiveness of herbal teas in combating infections that are resistant to traditional antibiotics, and explore different herbal options known for their healing properties.