Licorice Root
It soothes and heals any inflamed mucous membranes and catarrhal conditions. It is a corrective agent for other stronger herbal laxatives (strong cathartics and purgatives), modifying their action. It is excellent to cover the taste of agrimony or other bitters in herbal preparations (such as senegal, guaiacum, senna, etc.), and the powdered extract or root is excellent as an excipient (substance used to give preparations a suitable form or consistency) in pills and demulcent troches or lozenges. The chief active principle in licorice is a substance known as glycryyhiza or glycyrrhizic acid, which is 50 times sweeter than sugar cane and while other sweets will increase the thirst, licorice will alleviate thirst. It also contains estrogenic action (female hormone).
A perennial, 2-3 feet tall. The rootstock is wrinkled, brown on the outside, yellow inside and sweet to the taste. Stems start out round at the base, and become angular towards the top. Pale blue flowers grow in axillary racemes. The pod is glabrous with 3-4 seeded, reddish brown seeds. Found in central and western U.S. and widely cultivated.
The rootstock is used in flavoring food, tobacco, drinks, sweets and medicines. It is a adrenal tonic, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, and laxative. Historically used tobronchitis, coughs, hoarseness, mucous congestion, reduces fevers, helps in allergies, asthma, gastritis, peptic ulcers, bladder and kidney problems. It can strengthens the immune system, and stimulate the adrenal glands. A decoction makes a good laxative for children. Avoid in cases of high blood pressure. Glycyrrhizin in the roots is 50 times sweeter than sugar. For infusion or decoction use 1 teaspoon of the rootstock to 1 cup water.
Manufactured by Best Botanicals.
