Liquorice

Licorice grows wild in some parts of Europe and Asia. A perennial that grows 1 to 2 meters high, licorice has an extensive branching root system. Licorice root and underground stem have brown skin and yellow core. Licorice is used in various industries such as health, food, textile and medical industries. It has been used in food and as medicine for thousands of years. Also known as “sweet root,” licorice root contains a compound that is about 50 times sweeter than sugar. Licorice is an herb that people have used for thousands of years to treat a variety of ailments. It has medicinal effects; scientific research only supports some of its uses. Due to its sweet flavor, licorice is also popular as a sweetener in candies, and manufacturers sometimes use it to mask the flavor of medications Licorice is available in many forms, including herbal teas, candies, capsules of dried herb, and liquid extract.