Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
In folk medicine, this medicinal plant from the legume family has several names: naked licorice, sweet root, licorice root, gan-cao, locritsa, and others.
Table of Contents
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Ural Licorice
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Naked Licorice (Sweet Root)
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Use of Naked Licorice in Folk Medicine
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Naked Licorice – a Universal Plant with a Wide Range of Applications
In Chinese folk medicine, licorice root (gan-cao) has long been the most popular and widespread component of healing mixtures and powders. Root infusions were used to treat shortness of breath, cough, feverish states, and pain of various origins. Licorice was especially common in children’s prescriptions. In addition, licorice served as a flavoring ingredient in food, confectionery, and traditional oriental sweets.
Ural Licorice
Ural licorice, more common in China, is one of the most frequently used medicinal plants in traditional Chinese medicine. Only the second and third places in popularity belong to such famous plants as Chinese Rehmannia and Ginseng.
Beyond China, licorice was popular for centuries in India, Burma, Korea, Vietnam, the Middle East, the Caucasus. In Dagestan, licorice root powder is still considered a healing agent. Since the 12th century, licorice roots were exported from China to Europe and later to America, as well as to neighboring countries like Japan, Siam, Singapore, etc.
From the 17th century onward, Russia became a major exporter of licorice root to Western Europe, especially France and Germany. By the 19th century, tens of tons were exported annually from Central Asia and Kazakhstan. At the beginning of the 20th century, exports increased even further.
Naked Licorice (Sweet Root)
Naked licorice is a perennial plant with erect, smooth or slightly hairy stems up to 100 cm (sometimes 200 cm) tall. The underground parts consist of a thick rhizome and horizontal stolons with buds capable of producing new plants. Its root system can reach depths of 6–8 meters, often tapping groundwater, which explains the vitality of this species.
The plant spreads vegetatively, forming large colonies that remain a single organism. Licorice has been used as a healing agent for more than 5,000 years.
Leaves are pinnate, 5–20 cm long, with 9–17 oval or lanceolate leaflets. Flowers are pinkish-violet, collected in racemes. Blooming occurs from May to July, seeds ripen in August–September. The fruit is a pod containing 1–8 seeds.
Medicinal Uses
In Eastern medicine, licorice was prescribed for stomach and lung diseases (including ulcers, bronchitis, tuberculosis), rheumatism, impotence, nephritis, aging-related conditions, paralysis, kidney and urinary tract issues, arthritis, snake bites, bronchial asthma, pneumonia, cough, and food poisoning (especially mushroom poisoning).
In India, it was used for eye diseases and improving vision. In Korea and Japan, it forms a key part of many herbal formulas. In Bulgaria, decoctions were used for prostate-related urinary problems.
In the 1980s, British researchers isolated an active compound called carbenoxolone, used to treat stomach ulcers, though long-term use caused side effects such as hypertension, edema, hormonal imbalance, and reduced libido.
Universal Applications
Licorice root is used in:
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medicine and dietary therapy,
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making sweets, beer, lemonade, alcoholic beverages,
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ink, watercolor paints, shoe polish, fire extinguishing foam,
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metallurgy, leather, textile, chemical, and paper industries,
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agriculture (as a soil and crop enhancer).
Excessive use may cause:
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high blood pressure,
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water retention,
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hormonal disorders (gynecomastia, reduced libido, hair loss).
Modern medicine recognizes licorice root in many herbal mixes affecting endocrine function, thyroid hyperfunction, menopause, and metabolism. Extracts, syrups, and decoctions are widely used in gastroenterology (e.g., the drug Flacarbin).
Licorice root is also included in herbal blends like Elekasol for ENT, dental, and digestive conditions (contains licorice root, chamomile, calendula, succession, sage, and eucalyptus).
Licorice powder improves taste and stability in pharmaceutical preparations. Decoctions show antibacterial activity, used in chronic colitis, with diuretic and laxative effects. Roots are added when fermenting cabbage or apples. Licorice is also an excellent honey plant, providing pollen and nectar.
