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Extremely sweet, licorice is used for various purposes, both culinary and herbal. Scientifically proven as a medicinal plant, licorice root makes a big difference for those seeking solutions in nature for various problems, including kidney and liver.
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Sweet from root to leaf, licorice is a plant with a pleasant taste and aroma. Scientifically named Glycyrrhiza glabra , it belongs to the vegetable family. Rich in glycyrrhizin, which is the sweet and medicinal property of the herb. Licorice root when in syrup form, produces tasty sweets like licorice candy and gelatin that are widely consumed in the USA. Licorice candy arrived recently in Brazil and has already fallen in the children’s taste. It produces a long, nutritious and very tasty candy.
The licorice medicinal plant measures up to one meter in height and has short oval leaves and small, pink or bluish leaves. Originally from Europe, the herb adapts easily to the climate but, if grown in colder environments or in milder temperatures, it can easily grow. Dry places, with stones in the soil and sandy areas are also favorable environments for their growth and development.
What it is for
The licorice medicinal plant, covers properties that are good for the digestive tract, kidneys and even hormonal control. The herb can also help with various disorders of the respiratory tract, reducing asthma attacks and relieving symptoms in episodes of pneumonia. Licorice also serves as:
Anti inflammatory: Rich in flavonoids, licorice root contributes to a better recovery from inflammatory diseases. It acts from the inside out and is effective even in inflammation of the skin.
Cholesterol Reducer: For those with problems of harmful cholesterol above the ideal, the plant helps in the natural reduction of HDL and triglyceride levels. With highly antioxidant properties, it acts on the body preventing stroke, cardiac arrest and even cancer.
Prevents Ulcers: Gastro intestinal protector, the herb serves as a natural protection in the stomach and helps in the healing of ulcers and gastritis of nervous origin.
Diabetes: As a natural sweetener that does not contain glucose, it helps those who have problems with diabetes. Licorice tea is extremely beneficial and can also be used as a diuretic. The amorphous property contained in the plant helps to lower blood sugar levels favoring a normal life for people resistant to insulin.
Liver: Nature’s auxiliary for the treatment of hepatitis type A, B and C, licorice root has been used for thousands of years in Japan to accelerate the recovery of the liver against the disease. In addition, the plant also helps in reducing fat accumulated in the liver as a result of poor diet or genetic propensity that cause major health problems.
Hormonal balance: Its flavonoid substances provide a greater balance of hormones secreted by the pituitary gland. So it brings an ideal result for those who suffer from menstrual disorders or glands such as the thyroid for example. Also effective in controlling PMS and climacteric symptoms.
How to take
The plant can be converted into licorice tea, dry extract or syrup for medicinal use. However, the conventional for home use of the herb and root, is licorice tea. Licorice syrup is a concentrated extract of the plant used on an industrial scale to manufacture food and sweets based on the plant, but also for home use. The dry extract is used for consumption during meals. It can be added to juice, water or even dessert. Fruits combine very well with the dry extract of the plant, because the licorice enhances the sweet taste of the food.
Powdered grass also combines with coconut water and if added to gelatins, it becomes an imperceptible food for children’s consumption. The extract can also be used in hot milk, and makes an excellent drink for moments before bed. Licorice syrup is indicated for allergic and respiratory crises in children and adults. Syrup is easily found in pharmacies for natural products. One to two dessert spoons of this syrup are enough to relieve coughing spells with or without secretion.
Licorice tea is an excellent laxative for people who suffer from constipation, but for this purpose the amount of liquid consumed must be twice the amount indicated for herbal purposes. The licorice dry root is easily found in tea houses and specialists in products from nature. Its small stems should be cut with scissors or a sharp knife. The pieces should be small to extract as much of the glycyrrhizin from the root as possible.
The plant extract can be made with 250g of roots immersed in a liter of filtered water. The root should be immersed in water for approximately three days and after that period it should be consumed two to three tablespoons per day. Because it is more concentrated, the liquid extract is much sweeter than tea. The leaf of the plant, if fresh, can be chewed to fight bad breath caused by stomach problems.
How to Make Licorice Tea
To make licorice tea, just boil one liter of filtered water. After boiling, lower the heat and add 30g of the chopped root. Boil for 10 minutes and cover for another 10. This amount is enough to provide a tea sweetened at the right point and at the same time rich in healing properties. Strain the tea and consume two to three cups a day. It is advisable to take one in the morning, and another two after the main meals of the day.
Licorice for Weight Loss
The use of the plant for aesthetic purposes is growing every day. It was recently discovered that tea has the power to slightly reduce appetite and the desire to eat sweets. It acts as a soothing herbal remedy that removes food anxiety due to fatty and extremely caloric foods such as sweets in the PMS phase. Licorice dry extract helps in burning fat when combined with physical exercise. Licorice oil if consumed before hiking, enhances an accelerated loss of calories and helps to reduce fat mass while preserving muscle mass. The plant also helps in the loss of localized fats.
Care Not Use
Pregnant women and lactating women should use licorice tea, syrup and even the sweetness of the plant sparingly. Its properties can affect the hormonal functions of these patients, impairing the correct gestational time and milk production. For these conditions, it is advisable to have a doctor approve the ideal quantities. Hypertensive people should avoid consumption as much as they have cystic fibrosis.
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
