Licorice licorice (licorice) is a herbaceous perennial plant that grows mainly in the steppe. Sometimes it can be found in river basins, in valleys. From the many-headed and rather thick rhizome of the plant, underdeveloped shoots creeping underground, ending in buds, and an almost non-branching root about a meter or more in length go in different directions.
The fact that
licorice root is used both in industry and in medicine is due to its composition. It contains flavonoids, glycoside, vitamin C, glucose, yellow pigment, essential oil, sucrose, starch, asparagine, bitterness, mucous, extractive, pectin and other substances. A sugary specific taste to the root is given by glycyrrhizin, which is fifty times sweeter than sugar. He gives the plant a foaming property. The action of glycyrrhizic acid resembles the hormone deoxycorticosterone and cortisone.
Licorice root: application in folk medicine
The plant was used in ancient times in India, Greece. It is mentioned in ancient treatises of China under the name "hunchir", that is, "sweet grass."
It was introduced into most drugs, it was believed that this tool retains beauty and youth. The ancient Greeks found that licorice root has a positive effect in diseases such as
asthma, bronchitis. In medical treatises, in the list of medicines of that period, he is mentioned starting from the Middle Ages. Modern herbalists suggest using licorice root for bronchitis, asthma, and tuberculosis. If you take its decoction in courses (5-6 per year), it will help with prostate adenoma. To do this, pour a tablespoon of dried and pre-crushed raw materials with half a liter of water. After 10 minutes of boiling, cool and strain. Drink 150 ml of the prepared product each time before meals (but no more than three times a day). It should be treated in this way for three weeks, then take a break for two weeks and repeat the course again.
Licorice root: application in scientific medicine
In pharmaceutical practice, it is used to improve the taste and smell of other drugs. But not only. The pharmaceutical industry also produces several preparations based on it: syrup, powder, dry and thick extract,
breast elixir. They are prescribed as an expectorant and relieving inflammation in many diseases of the respiratory system, which children often suffer from. They are prescribed to drink
licorice root syrup. Reviews indicate that this drug is readily taken by children, effectively cures an uncomplicated cough and does not cause allergic reactions. Thanks to the enveloping and antacid effect, the plant is part of the drugs used for diseases of the stomach.
Licorice Root: Industrial Applications
It is known that the plant contains glyceritic acid. In this regard, licorice root is used by industry for the synthesis of steroids. Its powder or extract is used in the production of soft drinks, sweets, in brewing; for the manufacture of mascaras, watercolors, inks, creams for shoes. It is also used in fire extinguishers, since in combination with water it forms a foam. Many housewives during pickling apples, cucumbers, cabbage put chopped licorice roots in them. They sweeten foods slightly, slightly changing their taste. Part of the extracted licorice root is exported to other countries for the manufacture of chewing tobacco.