It seems like everyone I know had a sore throat last week. So I made a big pot of my favorite healing brew, Ginger Licorice Tea.
As I often do, I went on twitter, this time to chat about my fave tea for colds and sore throats. While everyone was familiar with ginger, several folks told me they hadn’t ever heard of licorice root. So here we go, I’ll tell you all about licorice root and why it’s absolutely indispensable in my home this time of year.
In the world of herbs, licorice root is primarily known as a demulcent (that is a soothing substance taken internally to protect damaged or inflamed tissue) and an expectorant (a substance that assists in expelling mucus from lungs and throat). Licorice root is commonly used in alternative medicine to treat colds and sore throats. However, licorice does not only act upon the respiratory system. It can also be soothing to the gut and work as an effective liver cleanser and blood detoxifier when combined with other herbs.
- soothes a sore throat
- loosens bronchial congestion
- reduces inflammation
- soothes digestive and gastro-intestinal issues
- helpful with stomach ulcers
Licorice is also used for chronic conditions such as adrenal insufficiency. However, used in large doses, over long term, licorice can exacerbate hypertension, so it is best to see a doctor or herbalist if you are going to use this substance for chronic conditions.
Although my background is in Ayurvedic herbology, I do have some knowledge of Chinese herbs, and licorice is used often in Chinese medicine, considered one of the most important herbs in that system. Licorice is also commonly used in Ayurveda as well, as it is very soothing for the vata dosha (constitution).
Licorice basically helps people that are experiencing ailments of “dryness” in the body become more moist. I tell my children that when you have a cold, taking licorice is like putting a humidifier in your body –that’s how it works. For this reason, licorice is not the best herb of choice for those that tend to retain water in their body –those that we refer to in Ayruveda as having the kapha dosha.
With licorice and other roots, I was taught that it is best that they boil in water for 2-3 minutes minimum to release all of their healing properties. While licorice tea is available (in tea bags) in many health food stores, to get the full benefit of the licorice root, I would recommend purchasing in bulk
I kept a pot of Ginger Licorice Tea steeping on the stove every day last week as we had severe, harsh weather here in Colorado. Every humidifier in my house was on. Some days the temperature didn’t even make it above 5 degrees. Drinking this simple herbal remedy was very moistening for myself and my family given this cold, dry tundra we’re living in this winter.
So, finally, just to be clear, when I’m talking about licorice root, I am not referring to licorice candy. This is a totally different thing made of molasses, flour and other ingredients. Let’s not confuse the pure healing licorice root with licorice candy.
Have you ever used licorice root? If so, what ailments do you use it for? Leave a comment and let us all know!
Noel says
My kids enjoy any herbal tea that contains licorice root b/c it adds a very nice sweetness.
Nice to learn a few new things about it.
And I just made some immune system boosting tea recently that contains licorice root — a recipe from a local ND — the tea contains echinacea root, licorice root, ginger root, astragalus root, burdock root,, elder berries, fennel seed, orange peel and rosehips.
Mia says
Thank you for your informative post!
I take Zagarese 100% licorice as my “breath mint”. I also use licorice root in my herbal tea.
Melissa says
My naturopath suggested DGL for stomach aches and to help heal my intestines. It works really good on stomach pains. I love it.
Oh how I miss black licorice candy.
Melissa
Karalee says
Hi Elana!
I drink one cup of licorice root tea every day for my hot flashes. It is amazing the difference it has made! While I can still have a hot flash here and there throughout a day, I use to have them many times a day all day long. I have never made my own though, I buy tea bags at my health food store.
Kate Costin says
Thanks for this great information. I love licorice root. I used to chew on long skinny ones as a child. I was blessed with lots of allergies, so I grew up eating really good quality food. In the last two years, I’ve been through some horrible circumstances and I found “Traditional Medicinals” licorice tea which tasted like my childhood licorice root. I like the pure taste. I didn’t realize that it was good for adrenals. I’m happy to know that. When we listen, our bodies seem to tell us what we need. At this time of year I want spring to hurry up and no amount of imported brocolli will give me what I crave. I make a salad of a huge amount of parsley, half that amount of cilantro, and half that amount of mint. I chop a little white onion into it and a diced english cucumber then the juice of a lemon. It is so refreshing. I like it with a tin of kippered herring and a soft boiled egg on top.
Lupe says
Hi! I’m excited to see a blog post about licorice root. I have Lupus and it is accompanied with Sjorgren Syndrome. Not sure if you’ve heard of Sjorgren Syndrome but it’s where your body fights against your own moisture glands. So, needless to say, I have very little saliva and tears.
Although I was told to use licorice root for my Lupus as it helps with pain from the flare ups, I heard it’s suppose to work as a natural steroid?? I had no idea about it helping moisturize the body! I am overjoyed to hear this.
I have yet to try it but I am SUPER excited to go out and get it now!
Thank you so much for such an in-depth blog about it.
Katie says
I’ve been taking licorice all winter! It’s been awesome for sore throats, coughs, and coughs. I also use it in different blends, specifically for adrenal deficiency. Yogi Tea makes a really good Egyptian Licorice Mint that’s great for digestion as well!
delirium says
Licorice is one of those wonderful herbs that can be used so many ways! My jar of dried root and my bottle of tincture get pulled out for lots of reasons, many of which have already been mentioned here. BUt I wanted to mention 3 points I didn’t see so far:
– One of my dancer friends used to brew licorice root, sweeten, and drink daily for the inflammation caused my her vigorous training.
– When taking Licorice for the belly, many people need the “DGL” (deglycyrrhizinated) version. The glycyrrhizine naturally found in licorice is often irritating to sensitive stomachs, though helpful in other conditions. DGL licorice supplements, Slippery Elm, Horseradish supplements, and L-Glutamine were the only supplements that were helpful in healing my celiac gut (to get to the stage of pre- and pro-biotics helping) from extensive trying of *everything* (I’m lucky to have grown up in a “traditional medicine” house).
– Modern, U.S. licorice, besides usally being not GF- friendly, is flavored with Anise (if it’s not flavored artificially- blech!) But the salty licorice and or the hard licorice bits enjoyed in other countries are sometimes GF and often flavored with real licorice: the salty licorice of the Scandinavian countries come to mind, as well as the Italian sweet-salty licorice TABU.
Karen Schudson says
I appreciate your explanation about licorice root and especially the distinction between it and licorice candy. I often get fever blisters when I eat licorice candy. I’m wondering if anyone else has had this reaction. It’s seems counter intuitive to expect licorice root to do this also, since it builds resistance against viruses. Did anyone watch Dr. Oz’s show on natural hormones? Licorice root, I believe, was the top recommendation. Thank you to all who submitted their favorite uses of l.r.!
Melissa says
It’s probably the sugar in the licorice candy. Sugars (in all forms) lower your immune system’s function. I always get sick when I eat too much sugar!
Tonya says
Where can you find Licorice root? I’ve never seen it at the store.
Becca says
I have the exact same question! :)
dominica says
she links to a place you can purchase bulk licorice root online in her post…
Noel says
I buy bulk herbs/spices from mountainroseherbs.com