Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

🌍 Origin and Distribution

• Scientific Name: Glycyrrhiza glabra
• Family: Fabaceae (legume family)
• Common Names: Licorice, Liquorice
• Hindi Name: Mulethi (मुलेठी)
• Native to: Southern Europe and parts of Asia, including India, Iran, and China

🌳 Botanical Description

• Type: Perennial herb
• Height: 1 to 1.5 meters tall
• Leaves: Pinnate with 9–17 small leaflets
• Flowers: Purple to pale blue
• Roots: Thick, fibrous roots used for medicinal and flavoring purposes

🧪 Chemical Components

• Glycyrrhizin: A natural sweetener that is 30–50 times sweeter than sugar
• Anethole: Provides a sweet, aromatic smell
• Glabridin & Glabrene: Phytoestrogens (plant-based compounds that act like weak estrogen)
• Saponins & Flavonoids: Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties

🩺 Health Benefits and Uses

1. Sore Throat & Cough: Soothes irritation and reduces inflammation
2. Stomach Ulcers: Protects the stomach lining and helps heal ulcers
3. Respiratory Relief: Acts as an expectorant and helps with asthma and bronchitis
4. Hormonal Support: The phytoestrogens may help balance hormones, especially in women
5. Skin Disorders: Used in creams for eczema and skin inflammation
6. Immune Boosting: May support immunity through its antioxidant activity

🍬 Other Uses

• Widely used as a flavoring in:
  • Candies
  • Herbal teas
  • Toothpaste
  • Cough syrups and lozenges

⚠️ Safety and Precautions

• High doses or long-term use of glycyrrhizin can cause side effects like:
  • High blood pressure
  • Low potassium levels
  • Water retention
• Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is a safer form often used for stomach issues