Top Medicinal Plant Roots – Licorice
Licorice root is the single most popular ingredient in Chinese medicine, prescribed in many herb mixtures as a harmonizer. In the United States, it's common flavoring in sweets. Licorice is known to loosen congestion in respiratory tract infections and has a long history of use for soothing coughs, colds, bronchitis and sore throats. It's also anti-inflammatory and has slight anti-allergenic properties and us used by some herbalists to help asthma.
It has anti-ulcer effects, too, so if you suffer from gastric ulcers, try taking a tincture or decoction of licorice or make it into a gargle for mouth ulcers. As a soother or deulcent, it's used for a wide range of stomach disorders, from indigestion to constipation and bowel spasm. in Japan studies have also shown it to protect the liver and have benefits for chronic hepatitis.
Note: Take only small amounts of licorice ( no more than 20 g a day) for up to 4 weeks.
Grows/Where to Find
- perennial
- prefers protected site in sun
- needs deep root run"grows to 4 feet (1.4 m), so best to stake
- harvest roots from 3- to 4- year- old plants
