Licorice Root by Wanderer MoonChild

Botanical Basics

1. Common Name(s): Licorice, Sweet Root, Liquorice
2. Folk Name(s): Glycyrrhiza, Sweet Wood, Gan Cao (Chinese), Yashtimadhu (Ayurvedic)
3. Scientific/Latin Name: Glycyrrhiza glabra (most common medicinal species)
4. Family: Fabaceae (Legume family)
5. Plant Type: Perennial herbaceous plant
6. Botanical Description: Grows 3–5 feet tall with pinnate leaves bearing 9–17 leaflets, violet to pale blue flowers, and long woody stoloniferous roots which are harvested for medicinal use. Roots are yellowish-brown outside, sweet, and fibrous within.
7. Growing Zones/Climate: USDA zones 7–10; prefers warm temperate to subtropical climates.
8. Best Zones for Growth: Mediterranean, Middle East, parts of Asia, and U.S. Southwest.
9. Habitat & Range: Native to Southern Europe and Asia; cultivated globally in dry, sunny regions.

Cultivation & Harvest

1. Soil & Sun Requirements: Prefers deep, well-drained sandy or loamy soils; thrives in full sun.
2. Propagation: Grown from root cuttings or seed (requires scarification for germination).
3. Companion Planting: Benefits from nitrogen-fixing plants; pairs well with herbs needing similar conditions (fennel, sage).
4. Harvesting Guidelines: Roots are harvested after 3–4 years of growth when rich in active compounds; typically dug in autumn.
5. Drying/Preservation: Roots are cleaned, cut, and dried in the sun or dehydrators; stored in airtight containers.

Traditional & Historical Use

1. Cultural Significance: Known as one of the world’s oldest herbal medicines, used in Egypt (in tombs of pharaohs), Greek medicine (Hippocrates), Chinese Traditional Medicine, and Ayurveda.
2. Traditional Medicine: Used to soothe coughs, treat ulcers, and as a harmonizer in herbal formulas (especially in Chinese medicine, where it “balances” other herbs).
3. Symbolism: Represents harmony, longevity, and bridging the gap between opposites (sweetness balancing bitterness).

Medicinal & Practical Properties

1. Active Constituents: Glycyrrhizin (up to 50 times sweeter than sugar), flavonoids, saponins, coumarins, polysaccharides.
2. Medicinal Uses: Expectorant, demulcent (soothes mucous membranes), anti-inflammatory, adrenal tonic, digestive aid, ulcer treatment. Used for sore throats, bronchitis, gastritis, ulcers, and fatigue.
3. Preparation Methods: Decoctions, tinctures, syrups, teas, powdered extracts, lozenges.
4. Dosage & Guidelines:
   
5. Decoction: 1–2 tsp dried root per cup water, simmer 10–15 min, up to 3× daily.
6. Tincture: 2–4 ml up to 3× daily.
7. Standardized extract: follow product guidelines.
   
8. Safety/Precautions: Prolonged/high doses can cause water retention, high blood pressure, and potassium loss. Not recommended for people with heart disease, hypertension, or kidney issues. DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) is safer for long-term use for digestive issues. Avoid during pregnancy in medicinal doses.

Magical & Spiritual Properties

1. Elemental Association: Water and Air
2. Planetary/Deity Correspondence: Venus, Mercury; associated with love and communication deities (Aphrodite, Hermes).
3. Magical Correspondences: Love, lust, fidelity, persuasion, harmony, protection.
4. Ritual Use: Added to love charms and sachets; chewed or burned to strengthen speech, communication, or persuasive magic. Carried for fidelity or protection during travels.
5. Symbolism in Divination/Dreams: May symbolize the need to “sweeten” a situation, strengthen bonds, or ease conflict.

Ecological & Culinary Uses

1. Pollinator Value: Flowers attract bees and other pollinators.
2. Wildlife Uses: Provides habitat and soil stabilization through deep root systems.
3. Culinary Uses: Used as a natural sweetener, flavoring in candies, lozenges, teas, liqueurs, and tobacco products. True licorice flavor is distinct from anise or fennel (which are often substituted in modern candies).

Household/Practical Uses

1. Quick Uses: Soothes sore throats, adds sweetness to teas, blends well with bitter herbs to improve palatability.
2. Notable Traits: Harmonizer in traditional medicine systems—balances strong herbal formulas.
3. Special Notes: True licorice is distinct from flavored “licorice” candies, which often use anise oil instead.

Fast Facts

1. Known as the “sweet root” since antiquity.
2. Widely used across Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Western herbal traditions.
3. DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) is commonly used for stomach issues to avoid blood pressure side effects.

📖 Supporting Notes

1. Chevallier, A. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine (2016).
2. Duke, J.A. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs (2002).
3. Kapoor, L.D. Handbook of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants (1990).
4. USDA Plants Database.