Licorice has been used as a medicine in by the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Chinese, and Hindus. It has been a key ingredient in many herbal tonics, elixirs and is one of the most valued herbal medicines of all times.
Licorice is a sweet, nourishing herb that is excellent for healthy lungs and clear breathing. Licorice root contains many anti-depressant compounds. As an herbal medicine it has an impressive list of well documented uses and is probably one of the most overlooked of all herbal wonders. Licorice is an antioxidant and is useful for many ailments including asthma, adrenal fatigue, chronic fatigue, depression, colds and flu, coughs, dandruff, emphysema, gingivitis and tooth decay, gout, heartburn, HIV, viral infections, fungal infections, liver problems, Lyme disease, hormonal balance, skin issues, shingles, sore throat, tendinitis, ulcers, yeast infections, prostate enlargement and arthritis. In Ayurveda, licorice is a tonic for the male reproductive system that promotes virility and the healthy production of semen.
It is said to be very good for digestion and extremely healing for the gut.
Licorice is particularly helpful in fighting bronchitis, upper respiratory colds, and coughs.
Licorice is used in regulating and stimulating hormones for perimenopause and menopause. Its a main ingredient in many great formulas sold today.
Licorice also helps reduce stomach acid and increases mucus secretion in the gastric tract, soothing irritation and inflammation. It can be used to fight heartburn, indigestion, and gastric and duodenal ulcers. It may also shorten the healing time of mouth ulcers.
It has been used in China to treat cancer and is being researched at Rutgers. It may slow the aging process of the brain.
CAUTION: Several side effects have been reported with excessive usage of licorice extracts, more that 4 oz. a day or for many months at a time. These include hypertension, hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis and sodium and water retention. This is never going to happen with small medicinal doses. Of course, if you have any serious health issues, investigate before using in any kind of long term protocol. If you have seriously high blood pressure, its best not to use it.
All herbs do have chemical reactions in the body. I think its best not to use any one thing excessively, unless its for curing cancer or some treatment that might be helped with an extreme. I like to use herbs, supplements etc and then give them a rest.
While Star Anise has a similar taste, it is not botanically related.
I like to mix a tea by mixing a bunch of loose herbs and then put it in my French press (with no plastic parts. also available at my Amazon Store below)
Click on this link to order 1 lb. of Organic, non-irradiated, Frontier brand Licorice Powder.
