Glycyrrhiza glabra

Glycyrrhiza glabra is a perennial herbaceous plant reaching 1.2 m tall with a spread of 1 m. Hardy to UK zone 8, it flowers from June to July with hermaphroditic insect-pollinated blooms. The plant grows well in light sandy or medium loamy soils across a range of pH values from mildly acidic to mildly alkaline. It tolerates semi-shade or full sun, prefers consistently moist soil, and withstands strong winds but not salt spray exposure.

Description

A hardy deciduous perennial herb or bush. It grows to 1-2 m tall. It has a clump of straight woody stalks. It has a deep taproot. It also has spreading stolons just under the ground surface. It has spreading leaves with leaflets along the stalk. The plant loses its leaves during the winter. The flowers are in a cluster and are blue and pea like. The pods are flat and 2-3 cm long. They turn brown at maturity. The pods contain between 1 and 7 kidney shaped seeds. They are brown and very small.

Edible Uses

The root is eaten raw or used as a flavouring. It is the source of liquorice powder, extracted for use in sweets, baked goods, ice cream, and soft drinks, as well as medicinally. The flavour is sweet and delicious, though the root itself is very fibrous. It contains glycyrrhizin, a compound 50 times sweeter than sucrose. The dried root is good for chewing — excellent for teething children and as a tooth cleaner — and the powdered root can sweeten other herbal teas. A tea made from the roots is an excellent thirst quencher. In Mongolia, the leaves are used as a tea substitute.

Traditional Uses

The extract from the roots is used to flavour foods which are eaten. The sweet root is chewed. It is the source of licorice. The root is used to flavour drinks. The leaves are used for tea.

Medicinal Uses

Liquorice is one of the most commonly used herbs in Western herbal medicine, with a very long history of use as both a medicine and a flavouring to disguise unpleasant-tasting remedies. It is a sweet, moist, soothing herb that detoxifies and protects the liver and is powerfully anti-inflammatory, with applications ranging from arthritis to mouth ulcers. The root is alterative, antispasmodic, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, laxative, moderately pectoral, and tonic, and has been shown to have a hormonal effect similar to the ovarian hormone. It is widely used in cough medicines and in treating catarrhal infections of the urinary tract. Internally it is taken for Addison's disease, asthma, bronchitis, coughs, peptic ulcer, arthritis, allergic complaints, and following steroidal therapy. It should be used in moderation and should not be prescribed for pregnant women or those with high blood pressure, kidney disease, or who are taking digoxin-based medication; prolonged use raises blood pressure and causes water retention. Externally, the root is used to treat herpes, eczema, and shingles. Roots are harvested in autumn when 3–4 years old and dried for later use. The German Commission E Monographs approve Glycyrrhiza glabra for coughs, bronchitis, and gastritis.

Known Hazards

The major dose-limiting toxicities of liquorice are corticosteroid in nature, because of the inhibitory effect that its chief active constituents, glycyrrhizin and enoxolone, have on cortisol degradation, and include oedema, hypokalaemia, weight gain or loss, and hypertension.

Distribution

It does well in warm temperate and subtropical climates. It grows well in areas suitable for citrus. It needs a deep light soil. It needs a sunny position. It can tolerate drought. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 7-9.

Where It Grows

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Asia, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Crete, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, England, Europe, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indochina, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Macedonia, Maldives, Mediterranean, Middle East, Moldova, Mongolia, Myanmar, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, Romania, Russia, SE Asia, Serbia, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yugoslavia,

Cultivation

Requires a deep well cultivated fertile moisture-retentive soil for good root production. Prefers a sandy soil with abundant moisture and does not flourish in clay. Slightly alkaline conditions produce the best plants. The plant thrives in a maritime climate. Plants are hardy to about -15°c. Liquorice is often cultivated for its edible root which is widely used in medicine and as a flavouring. There are some named varieties. The ssp. glandulifera grows in Russia and produces adventitious roots up to 10 cm thick. Yields of 10 - 12 tonnes per hectare were considered good in the early 20th century, this only being attained in the fourth year of growth. Unless seed is required, the plant is usually prevented from flowering so that it puts more energy into producing good quality roots. The bruised root has a characteristic sweet pungent smell. Plants are slow to settle in and do not produce much growth in their first two years after being moved. The young growth is also very susceptible to damage by slugs and so the plant will require some protection for its first few years. A fairly deep-rooting plant, the roots are up to 120cm long. It can be difficult to eradicate once it is established. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.

Propagation

Pre-soak seed for 24 hours in warm water, then sow in spring or autumn in a greenhouse. Prick out seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and grow on through their first winter under glass. Plant out in late spring or early summer when in active growth. Plants are rather slow to grow from seed. Divide roots in spring or autumn, ensuring each division has at least one growth bud. Autumn divisions can be replanted immediately or stored in clamps until spring. Pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in a cold frame until established before planting out in spring or summer.

Other Uses

The plant yields a substance used for etching steel sections in photomicrographic work. Root extracts are used as a foaming agent in beers and fire extinguishers. A fibre obtained from the roots — usable after medicinal and flavouring constituents have been removed — is employed in insulation, wallboard, and boxboard manufacture. The plant acts as a dynamic accumulator, gathering minerals and nutrients from the soil and storing them in a more bioavailable form for use as fertilizer or mulch improver.

Production

Plants make slow growth during the first two years. Plants are ready for harvesting in the third or fourth year. The plant is harvested and the roots washed then cut into 30-60 cm long lengths. Roots can be sold or used fresh or dried. The roots are finely cut or crushed to produce a pulp. The material is then boiled and evaporated to produce an extract.

Other Information

Much licorice sold is an artifical product. Licorice contains glycyrrhizin which is 50 times sweeter than sucrose. It is a cultivated food plant.

Notes

There are about 18 Glycyrrhiza species. It has anticancer properties. It is also useful for its anti-diabetic benefits.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Athimathuram, Atimadhura, Atimadhuramu, Atimaduram, Ava suse, Biyam bali, Biyan, Camthao, Dzirt'k'bila, Gan cao, Golostebelni sladki koren, Iarba dulce, Iratimadhuram, Jaishbodomodhu, Jashtimadhu, Jestha madha, Jethi Madh, Jethi madha, Jethi-madh, Kan ts'ao, Lakritze, Lakritzpflanze, Liquirizia, Madhuka, Matutak, Meyan, Mithi lakdi, Mulhatti, Orozuz, Palidu, Palodu, Palodulce, Regalissia, Regaliz, Regaliz, Reglisse, Siribiyan, Sladic, Sus, Suus, Sweetroot, Sweetwood, Thinbaw-nwecho, Yashti madhuka, Yashti-madhu, Yashtimadhukam

References (74)

• Ali-Shtayeh, M. S., et al, 2008, Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants used in Palestine (Northern West Bank): A comparative study. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 4: 13
• Al-Qura'n, S. A., 2010, Ethnobotanical and Ecological Studies of Wild Edible Plants in Jordan. Libyan Agriculture Research Center Journal International 1(4):231-243
• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 240
• Bianchini, F., Corbetta, F., and Pistoia, M., 1975, Fruits of the Earth. Cassell. p 210
• Blamey, M and Grey-Wilson, C., 2005, Wild flowers of the Mediterranean. A & C Black London. p 87

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