Glycyrrhiza glabra
Record ID:40Naming |
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|---|---|
| Botanical Name: | Glycyrrhiza glabra |
| Common Names: | Licorice, Liquorice, Sweet Root, Black Sugar |
| Key Name: | Licorice |
| Parts Used: | Roots, rhizomes, leaves |
| Sister Plants: | Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Glycyrrhiza inflata, Glycyrrhiza echinata |
| Comments: | Perennial herb valued for roots; attracts pollinators; thrives in well-drained soils |
Characteristics |
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| Identifying Character: | Herbaceous perennial (3-7 ft), pinnate leaves with 9-17 leaflets, purple-blue pea-like flowers, grows from rhizomes |
| Stem: | Erect, striated, sparsely branched, up to 1 m |
| Leaves: | Pinnate, 7-15 cm, 9-17 oblong to elliptic leaflets |
| Flowers: | Small purple-blue pea-like flowers, 0.5-1 cm, in axillary racemes, June-July |
| Fruit: | Oblong pods, 1-2 cm, containing 3-5 brown seeds |
| Taste: | Sweet (roots), mild (leaves) |
| Odour: | Sweet, earthy scent from roots |
| Root: | Woody rhizome, long and stoloniferous |
| Image: |
Image URL: https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse4.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP.yvDUNIUWQWJzg7QMVRm5OwHaHa%26pid%3DApi&f=1&ipt=a14f70d21a3eecaf114ace2abc80905c53338de585434784d2edac6e11e2bf3b&ipo=images |
Distribution |
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| Distribution: | Native to Mediterranean, Western Asia, Southern Europe; cultivated in Asia, Europe, Middle East |
| Cultivation: | Full sun, well-drained sandy or loamy soil; sow rhizomes 40-50 cm apart, moderate drought tolerance |
| Harvest: | Roots and rhizomes: Fall after 3-4 years; leaves: Summer |
Medical |
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| Therapeutic Action: | Anti-inflammatory, expectorant, demulcent, antiviral |
| Medical Uses: | Roots for respiratory infections, ulcers, sore throats, hepatitis; leaves for minor skin issues |
| Constituents: | Glycyrrhizin, glabridin, flavonoids, saponins |
| Solvents: | Water, alcohol, methanol |
| Dosage: | Infusion: 1 tsp dried root in hot water, 1-2 times daily |
| Administration: | Internal: Infusion, tincture; External: Poultice |
| Formulas: | |
| Contra Indications: | Excessive use (>2 mg/kg/day glycyrrhizin) may cause hypertension, hypokalemia; avoid in pregnancy |
| Preparation: | Infusion: Steep 1 tsp dried root in hot water 10-15 min |
| Chinese: | Tonifies qi, relieves pain and cough (Traditional Chinese Medicine) |
| Veterinary: | Used for digestive support in livestock |
| Homeopathic: | No known homeopathic use documented |
Pollination and Pollinators |
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| Apis: | Yes |
| Pollinator: | bees |
| Pollen: | Yes |
| Pollen Notes: | Pollen attracts bees, some self-pollination |
| Nectar: | Yes |
| Nectar Notes: | Nectar-rich, attracts honeybees, native bees, early pollinators |
Other |
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| Non-Medical Uses: | Flavoring agent, dye, cosmetic ingredient |
| Culinary Uses: | Roots in candies, teas, sauces; leaves as seasoning' |
| History: | sed since 2100 BC in Egypt, Rome, China; flavoring since 18th century England |
| Reference: | 2 https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Glycyrrhiza+glabra herbalist1', 'Herbal Community', |
| URL: | https://usbm.ca/ency |
| Share: | Public |