Liquorice
The healing herb, in the family of peas and beans, is an herbaceous perennial with purple blossoms and elongated fruit and was mostly found in parts of Asia and Mediterranean (Greece and Tunisia); today, it is also cultivated in Russia, Spain, India and Iran. Its name refers to its root, which is 50 times sweeter than sugar.
With its sweet flavour, it is widely used in the food, healing, and tobacco industries as flavour enhancer; in the south of Italy and in Spain its fresh plant is used as a breath freshener with a double function – it also prevents tooth decay (its ingredients prevent the bacteria from growing, and supposedly prevent caries to form). An important element in the world of culinary spices, it also possesses healing abilities that have been explored since ancient Greece, Egypt and China. It was used to heal gastritis and upper respiratory infections. Records show that the Chinese have already been using it as medicine in the late 2800 b. c, the Tibetan healers used it as traditional medication, and records of healing, using its root, have been found in the tomb of the Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun.
To this day its use remains for the healing purposes; in the western as well as eastern medicine it is used as a natural substance to soothe cough and common cold symptoms for it stimulates the secretion of phlegm from the lungs and trachea, eases the pain of infection, reduces gastric acid, and regulates digestion.
Liquorice contains glycyrrhizic acid (which makes it so sweet) with a strong antiviral effect and is used to heal chronic viral hepatitis in Japan, and in therapy against tuberculosis in China. It has an antifungal and antibacterial effect, reduces the development of different viruses (even herpes), helps with joint infections and arthritis.
In Ayurveda, the root of the liquorice is used to soothe cough, ease chest pain, and heal bronchitis, eye diseases, gastric ulcers, and constipation.
In addition to the antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, and refreshing functions, it is helpful in healing bladder and kidney diseases for it affects the adrenal gland and slowly secretes water.
The glycyrrhizic acid is widely used in cosmetic and beauty products for its potent nourishment and antioxidants. Its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties also help heal skin diseases, such as rosacea (reddish, spotted skin, prone to irritation, sensitivity, dryness, burning and stinging), dermatitis and psoriasis. It helps reduce redness, infections, and contributes to a more balanced skin tone. Its molecules regulate the production of skin oil, destroy bacteria, and soothe the skin, prone to acne, rashes, lumps or abscesses.
Studies show soothing effects of its chemical compounds on the skin, damaged by UV-radiation – the skin regenerates faster and fights more efficiently against ageing.
Liquorice is also used as an aromatic addition in cosmetic products, to sweeten products like lip balm, for example. It offers an astringent effect, cleanses the skin, while causing mild and pleasant tingling. It can also be used as an ointment, leaving the skin soft and smooth, or to preserve moisture, protecting the skin against dryness and damage.
