Glycyrrhiza glabra (Liquorice or Licorice)

  • Rowan McOnegal
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Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

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Glycyrrhiza glabra (Liquorice or Licorice). Rowan McOnegal. Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0). Source: Wellcome Collection.

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Large clump of firm stems with large pinnate leaves. The root yields glycyrrhetinic acid and its derivatives, carbenoxolone for example. Carbenoxolone is used for the treatment of digestive tract ulcers, especially in the stomach. Antidiuretic side effects are frequent, but otherwise the drug is low in toxicity. Licorice toxicity is manifested as hypokalemia, low blood potassium. Prolonged use may raise the blood pressure. Licorice is used as flavoring and aromatic in pharmaceuticals, tobacco curing, and in confectionary. It has been used to relieve menopausal symptoms related to oestrogen withdrawal.

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