Licorice, scientifically known as Glycyrrhiza glabra, is one of the most popular medicinal plants belonging to the Fabaceae family. It is a perennial herb grown in temperate zones. The plant parts used are runners and roots, which are collected in the fall season. The medicinal use of licorice in western and eastern cultures dates back thousands of years, it is also one of the most common ingredients in Chinese medicine. The name Glycyrrhiza is derived from the Greek terms ‘glykos’, meaning sweet, and ‘rhiza’, meaning root. It is native to the Mediterranean region and grown in India, China, Spain, Iran, Russia and Italy. Licorice is also known as, Jothi-madh and Mulaithi (Hindi), Licorice, Liqourices, and Sweet wood (English), and Licorice, Liqourices, and Sweet wood
Licorice is the source of polysaccharides, simple sugars, proteins, amino acids, and mineral salts like calcium, sodium, potassium, iron, zinc, copper, phosphorous, magnesium, manganese, silicon, and selenium. It also contains vitamins like B1, B2, B3, B5, E and C. Pectins, starches, resins, and gums.
It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and can help to reduce the inflammatory cells
