Licorice root, also known as licorice, is an herbal supplement that is useful for treating a number of ailments, as well as a spice that is widely used in Asian and Middle Eastern dishes. Licorice root has various health benefits, both when used orally and topically. Some uses of liquorice are still traditional, but there are also benefits that have been clinically proven, as long as it is only used in low doses for a short period of time. As a condiment, liquorice imparts an anise-like and fennel-like taste that is delicious in drinks, sweets, and snacks.
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Method 1 of 3: Take Oral to Treat Disease
Step 1. Use liquorice to treat various ailments
Licorice or licorice is traditionally used to treat arthritis, stomach disorders, and overly oily hair. In addition, liquorice is also clinically proven to be effective for:
- Overcome the burning sensation in the chest
- Overcoming skin disorders such as eczema
- Overcoming low blood pressure
- Overcoming Addison's disease (disorders of adrenal gland function)
- Maintaining blood potassium levels in dialysis patients
- Increase fertility in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
- Overcoming sore throat and canker sores
- Reduce body fat
- Prostate, breast, colon, liver and lung cancer
- Overcoming ulcers
- Relieves immune system disorders
Step 2. Gargle with a liquorice solution to treat canker sores and bad breath
Mix 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of licorice powder in 250 ml of lukewarm water and stir until dissolved.
- Use the solution to gargle 4-5 times a day to help soothe and heal canker sores. When used to treat thrush, you should not swallow this solution.
- Similarly, gargling with a solution made of 1/4 cup (60 ml) warm water and 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) liquorice extract can help reduce or even treat bad breath.
Step 3. Drink licorice tea to relieve cough, sore throat, stomach pain, or cramps during menstruation
Mix 1 tablespoon (15 ml) finely ground liquorice with 2 cups (500 ml) water in a small saucepan. Simmer the mixture over low heat for 15-20 minutes. Strain before drinking.
- Drink the tea while it's warm to help with colds, coughs, or upper respiratory infections.
- Drink liquorice tea once a day for 1 month to help with acid reflux and peptic ulcers.
- To maximize the benefits of liquorice tea during menstruation, start consuming it 3 days before menstruation.
Step 4. Mix licorice tea with other spices to increase its effectiveness
Licorice is believed to help increase the effectiveness of many other spices when used together. You can mix liquorice with certain herbal teas to increase its effectiveness.
- Mix cup of liquorice with 2.5 cm of ginger and 2 liters of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and enjoy the ginger tea while it is warm. This spice blend can be used to treat colds, sore throats, and indigestion.
- Mix licorice, chamomile and peppermint 1:1:1. Use this mixture in a 1:5 ratio with water, and boil over low heat for 10 minutes. Strain and drink to treat indigestion and a burning sensation in the chest.
Step 5. Chew a piece of licorice root to soothe a sore throat and treat bad breath
Prepare a piece of liquorice and chew it for 5-15 minutes.
- Licorice root is efficacious as an antidote to pain by forming a thin layer of mucus that can soothe the throat.
- Licorice root contains antibacterial compounds that can fight bacteria that cause cavities and bad breath.
Step 6. Take licorice supplements to treat various ailments
Although licorice tea and mouthwash can relieve sore throats, mouth problems, and indigestion due to their calming effects, other ailments are better treated with licorice supplements in pills or extracts. Licorice root supplements have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral effects, making them effective for treating low blood pressure, Addison's disease, infertility due to polycystic ovary syndrome, ulcers, digestive disorders, cancer (as a supplement), and immune system disorders.
- Use DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) whenever possible. DGL does not contain the compound glycerin, which can cause high blood pressure and muscle weakness.
- The dose of non-DGL licorice is 2 mg per kg body weight in a day.
- WARNING: If the licorice you are using is not DGL, do not take more than 100 mg/day (or approx. 1 ml extract). An overdose of licorice can lead to overproduction of the hormone aldosterone, which can lead to weakness, headaches, and high blood pressure.
Step 7. Make sure the licorice supplement you buy actually contains these ingredients
In the US, anise oil is often used instead of liquorice in many licorice supplements.
Method 2 of 3: Using Topically to Treat Skin Problems
Step 1. Find out what skin problems can be treated topically
Topical use of licorice root is generally intended to treat various skin problems such as eczema, but it can also be used to treat internal problems that cause skin symptoms (such as pimples), increase the body's overall energy, treat melasma and brighten the skin, and even to reduce the thickness of the fat under the skin.
Step 2. Make a liquorice ointment
Add 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of liquorice to 6 cups (1,500 ml) of water. Let it simmer over medium heat for 40 minutes. Strain and leave to cool. You can apply the finished ointment directly to the surface of the skin using a cotton swab.
- Apply licorice ointment directly to irritated skin such as a rash or eczema.
- Apply the ointment on the dark spots on the surface of the skin once a day before going to bed to treat melasma.
- Rub the ointment on the thighs, arms, and cellulite areas of the body to reduce the thickness of fat under the skin.
Step 3. Soak in a diluted liquorice solution to relieve fatigue and treat low blood pressure
Mix 3/4 cup (180 ml) finely ground liquorice and 4 cups (1 liter) warm water. Let the solution sit for 2-3 hours, then simmer for 5 minutes. Pour the mixture into the bath, add water, and soak in it for 20-30 minutes.
Step 4. Make a paste of licorice powder to treat acne, hair loss, or thickening of the skin
Purchase ground licorice, or grind dried liquorice to obtain 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of licorice powder. Mix licorice powder with 1/2 to 1 cup (125-250 ml) cold milk, then stir until it forms a runny paste.
- Add 1 teaspoon of honey to help treat acne. Honey has been clinically proven to be effective as an antimicrobial and can speed up recovery.
- Add 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) of saffron to a licorice paste and apply to the scalp to help combat hair loss.
- Add 1 tablespoon (5 ml) of olive oil instead of milk to the liquorice paste to help soften bumps and thickenings on the skin.
Step 5. Use licorice root extract to treat skin rashes or genital herpes
Use the amount of liquorice extract used in a paste or ointment. Licorice extract is more suitable for use on narrower skin areas such as nodules. So, if you plan on using it over a larger area, consider diluting the liquorice extract first.
The content of glycerin in licorice root extract is known to stop the reproduction of the virus that causes nodules on the skin and genital herpes. Apply liquorice extract twice a day directly to problem areas of the skin
Method 3 of 3: Cooking with Liquorice
Step 1. Use liquorice to add flavor to a variety of dishes
In both root and powder form, licorice can add an fennel-like or anise-like flavor to any dish. You can use licorice to flavor sweets, snacks, sauces, and many other dishes.
Step 2. Make licorice syrup
A syrup made by boiling licorice root, it can be poured over ice cream, pastries, or any other dessert for added flavor. To make licorice syrup:
- Peel and chop the liquorice.
- Place in a saucepan, soak in water, and simmer for at least 1 hour.
- Add cup of sugar for every 4 cups of liquid. Bring everything to a boil until the sugar is dissolved.
- Put the syrup in the jar while it's hot.
Step 3. Boil licorice to give flavor to teas, syrups, sauces and vla
Add the liquorice to your tea, syrup, sauce, or vla as you make and heat it. Boil for at least 10 minutes. The longer it is boiled, the stronger the liquorice taste will be. Remove the liquorice before serving.
Step 4. Use to flavor the sugar or salt
Licorice root can be used like vanilla stems, which is to add flavor to dry foodstuffs. Put a few sticks of liquorice in a sugar or salt storage container, and use the sugar and salt in pastries and pudding recipes, or as a topping on seafood, carrots or baked sweet potatoes.
Step 5. Use liquorice on coffee
You can use a licorice root to stir the coffee (or soak it in the coffee for a bit for a stronger flavor). Or even if you want it to be even stronger, add a pinch of licorice powder to your cup of coffee.
Step 6. Add a pinch of licorice powder to the recipe
You can add licorice powder directly into the recipe. Licorice powder is perfect for seasoning beef, pigeon, duck, goose, pork and lamb.
Step 7. Use liquorice as the main flavoring in candied
Licorice has a very strong flavor, so you can use it as your main flavoring. Try adding licorice to the vla batter, or make a liquorice-flavoured dish, such as ice cream or liquorice pudding.
To find out which sweets are best made with liquorice, check out
Warning
- Licorice can interact with many medications. Always consult your doctor before using licorice root in medicine.
- Licorice consumption should not be carried out for more than 4 weeks, unless recommended by a doctor. Consuming 100 mg of liquorice or more for a long time can increase blood pressure and lower potassium levels in the body, which should be healthy. If you suffer from heart disease, kidney disease, or high blood pressure, even small amounts of liquorice can cause health problems.
- Avoid consumption of liquorice during pregnancy. Consumption of liquorice in large quantities can cause miscarriage or premature birth. The effects of liquorice during breastfeeding are not well known, so you should also avoid taking it while breastfeeding.
- Stop consuming liquorice at least 2 weeks before undergoing surgery because it can affect your blood pressure.
