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Glycyrrhiza glabra
| Common name: |
Liquorice |
Family: |
Leguminosae |
| Author: |
L. |
Botanical references: |
50, 200 |
| Synonyms: |
Glycyrrhiza glandulifera (Waldst.&Kit.) |
| Known Hazards: |
A gross overdose of the root can cause oedema, high blood pressure and congestive heart failure[9, 65]. |
| Range: |
Europe - Mediterranean. |
| Habitat: |
Dry open places[50], especially in sandy places near the sea[132]. |
| Edibility Rating (1-5): |
4 | Medicinal Rating (1-5): | 4 |
| Other Possible Synonyms: | From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below. |
| G. glabra var. glandulifera[G]
Glycyrriza glabra[Sill]
Liquiritia officinalis[H]
|
| Other Common Names: | From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below. |
| Cultivated Licorice [P,B], Gan Cao [E], Iriqsus [E], Kan T'Sao [E], Kan Ts'Ao [E], Licorice [E,H,S], Liquirita [E], Liquorice [H], Madhuka [E], Meyankoku [E], Mi Ts'Ao [E], Regaliz [E], Russian Liquorice [H], Sus Maikik [E], Sweetwood [H], True Licorice [H], |
| Epithets: | From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets |
|
glabra = glabrous;
glycyrrhiza = sweet root;
|
| Systematics: | From a USDA
Plants Database |
|
Order: Fabales. Renamed to Fabaceae -- Pea family
|
| Other Range Info: |
From the Ethnobotany Database |
|
China; Europe; India; Iraq; Japan; Kurdistan; Spain; Turkey; Us
|
Physical Characteristics
Perennial growing to 1.2m by 1m . It is hardy to zone 8. It is in flower from June to July. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
We rate it 4/5 for edibility and
4/5 for medicinal use.
The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils.
The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.
It requires moist soil.
The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
Habitats and Possible Locations
Cultivated Beds.
Cultivar 'Pontefract': Cultivated Beds.
Cultivar 'Poznan': Cultivated Beds.
Edible Uses
Root; Sweetener; Tea.
Root - raw or used as a flavouring. The source of liquorice powder that
is extracted and used in sweets, baked goods, ice cream, soft drinks etc[7,
34, 100, 183], it is also used medicinally. A sweet and delicious flavour,
but the root is very fibrous[K]. The root contains glycyrrhizin, a substance
that is 50 times sweeter than sucrose[171, 183, 238].
The dried root is often used for chewing, it is excellent for teething
children and also as a tooth cleaner[7, 34].
A tea made from the roots is an excellent thirst quencher[21]. The powdered
root is also used as a sweetener in other herb teas[183].
The leaves are used as a tea substitute in Mongolia[183].
Medicinal Uses
Disclaimer
Alterative; Antiinflammatory; Antispasmodic; Demulcent; Diuretic; Emollient; Expectorant; Laxative; Pectoral; Tonic.
Liquorice his one of the most commonly used herbs in Western herbal
medicine and has a very long history of use, both as a medicine and also as a
flavouring to disguise the unpleasant flavour of other medications[4]. It is
a very sweet, moist, soothing herb that detoxifies and protects the
liver[238] and is also powerfully anti-inflammatory, being used in conditions
as varied as arthritis and mouth ulcers[254].
The root is alterative, antispasmodic, demulcent, diuretic, emollient,
expectorant, laxative, moderately pectoral and tonic[4, 9, 21, 46, 165, 178].
The root has also been shown to have a hormonal effect similar to the ovarian
hormone[7]. Liquorice root is much used in cough medicines and also in the
treatment of catarrhal infections of the urinary tract[4]. It is taken
internally in the treatment of Addison's disease, asthma, bronchitis, coughs,
peptic ulcer, arthritis, allergic complaints and following steroidal
therapy[238]. It should be used in moderation and should not be prescribed
for pregnant women or people with high blood pressure, kidney disease or
taking digoxin-based medication[238]. Prolonged usage raises the blood
pressure and causes water retention[7, 238]. See also the notes above on
toxicity.
Externally, the root is used in the treatment of herpes, eczema and
shingles[238].
The root is harvested in the autumn when 3 - 4 years old and is dried for
later use[4, 238]. We have a more details factsheet on the history and medicinal use of this plant. Email webmaster@pfaf.org for details.
Other Uses
Fibre; Miscellany.
The plant yields a substance that is used for etching steel sections in
photomicrographic work[171].
Extracts from the root are used as a foaming agent in beers and fire
extinguishers[238].
A fibre obtained from the roots is used for insulation, wallboard, boxboard
etc[4, 171]. The fibres can be used after the medicinal and flavouring
constituents of the root have been removed[4].
Cultivation details
Requires a deep well cultivated fertile moisture-retentive soil for
good root production[200]. Prefers a sandy soil with abundant moisture and
does not flourish in clay[4]. Slightly alkaline conditions produce the best
plants[238]. The plant thrives in a maritime climate[7].
Plants are hardy to about -15°c[200].
Liquorice is often cultivated for its edible root which is widely used in
medicine and as a flavouring. There are some named varieties[183]. The ssp.
glandulifera grows in Russia and produces adventitious roots up to 10 cm
thick[142]. Yields of 10 - 12 tonnes per hectare were considered good in the
early 20th century, this only being attained in the fourth year of growth[4].
Unless seed is required, the plant is usually prevented from flowering so
that it puts more energy into producing good quality roots[238].
The bruised root has a characteristic sweet pungent smell[245].
Plants are slow to settle in and do not produce much growth in their first
two years after being moved[4]. The young growth is also very susceptible to
damage by slugs and so the plant will require some protection for its first
few years[K].
A fairly deep-rooting plant, the roots are up to 120cm long[4]. It can be
difficult to eradicate once it is established[238].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these
bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this
nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other
plants growing nearby[200].
Propagation
Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow spring or
autumn in a greenhouse[200]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots
when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on for their first winter
in a greenhouse. Plant out in late spring or early summer when in active
growth. Plants are rather slow to grow from seed[238].
Division of the root in spring or autumn. Each division must have at least
one growth bud. Autumn divisions can either be replanted immediately or
stored in clamps until the spring and then be planted out[200]. It is best to
pt up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a cold frame until they are
established before planting them out in the spring or summer.
Scent
-
Root: Crushed Dried
- The bruised root has a characteristic sweet pungent smell.
Cultivars
- 'Russian'
- The sweet extract obtained from the roots is used as a flavouring in foods, drinks and medicines[183].
- 'Poznan'
- The roots have a higher sugar content than 'Pontefract[183].
This is the most commonly grown cultivar of liquorice[K], it is less hardy than 'Pontefract' and will require winter protection in the colder areas of the country.
- 'Pontefract'
- A hardier but tougher cultivar than the more commonly grown 'Poznan', it succeeds outdoors in most parts of the country. The roots are less sweet than 'Poznan'.
Suppliers
For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.
Web References
- Details of Medicinal Uses, Habitats, etc. in M. Grieve A Modern Herbal (1931) [4]
- [H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
- [E] Ethnobotany Data
(common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.
- [V] Images
from the Vascular Plant Image Gallery of the Texas A&M Bioinformatics Working Group.
- [B] Data
(Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
- [G] Data
(Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
- [C] Taxon data.
from the CalFlora database.
- [PHARM] Phytochemical Data
(common names, uses, countries) from Dr Duke's Phytochemical Database.
- [P] Data.
(uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
- [HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database
References for Glycyrrhiza glabra var. glandulifera (a possible synonym).
- [G] Data
(Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
References for Glycyrrhiza glandulifera (a possible synonym).
- [H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
References for Glycyrriza glabra (a possible synonym).
References for glycyrrhiza glabra (a possible synonym).
See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.
Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.
[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
[9] Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981 ISBN 0-600-37216-2
Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.
[21] Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.
[34] Harrison. S. Wallis. M. Masefield. G. The Oxford Book of Food Plants. Oxford University Press 1975
Good drawings of some of the more common food plants from around the world. Not much information though.
[46] Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
[50] ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964
An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.
[65] Frohne. D. and Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984 ISBN 0723408394
Brilliant. Goes into technical details but in a very readable way. The best work on the subject that I've come across so far.
[100] Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969 ISBN 0192176218
An excellent and well illustrated pocket guide for those with very large pockets. Also gives some details on plant uses.
[132] Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth.
Lovely pictures, a very readable book.
[142] Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press 1975 ISBN 0-12-136450-x
Readable but not very comprehensive.
[165] Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
An excellent small herbal.
[171] Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952
Not very comprehensive, but it is quite readable and goes into some a bit of detail about the plants it does cover.
[178] Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
A translation of an ancient Chinese herbal. Fascinating.
[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
[245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.
[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
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