Soothing licorice root helps maintain balance and comfort in the digestive system. It may also help to soothe and keep clear the respiratory areas. Licorice is known to help maintain mental calm and keep the nervous system strong too.
Licorice, also spelled liquorice, is a perennial bush growing up to about a metre high. It’s sweet smell is due to the volatile compound anethole which sends off a strong aroma and is also found in fennel and aniseed. It’s sweetness comes from glycyrrhizin which is a sweetness many times stronger than that of sugar.
For many years the tobacco industry were big users of licorice to add flavour and moisture to tobacco. This was banned in America in 2009.
Licorice is popular as a candy or sweet. However, though the name is often used, and licorice is in these products, the primary taste is more often supplied by adding aniseed oil – so it’s a bit of a cheat!