Licorice

Profile

Family

Fabaceae

Habit

perennial

Height

1.4 m

Spread

2.5 m

Growth

slow

Lifespan

10 years

First yield

after 3 years

Hardiness

zone 7–11

Shade tolerance

partial shade

Soil

Sand, Silt

Soil moisture

semi-dry – very wet

pH

6 – 8.5

Synonyms

Süßholz

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Wurzel – roh oder als Aromastoff verwendet. Sie ist die Quelle von Lakritzpulver, das verwendet und in Süßigkeiten, Backwaren, Eiscreme, Erfrischungsgetränken usw. verwendet wird. Verwendet wird . Sie wird auch medizinisch genutzt. Sie hat einen süßen und köstlichen Geschmack, aber die Wurzel ist sehr faserig. Die Wurzel enthält Glycyrrhizin, eine Substanz, die 50-mal süßer ist als Saccharose. Die getrocknete Wurzel wird oft zum Kauen verwendet, eignet sich hervorragend für zahnende Kinder und auch als Zahnreiniger. Ein Tee aus den Wurzeln ist ein ausgezeichneter Durstlöscher. Die pulverisierte Wurzel wird auch als Süßungsmittel in anderen Kräutertees verwendet. Die Blätter werden in der Mongolei als Tee-Ersatz verwendet.

Medicinal: Licorice is one of the most commonly used herbs in Western herbal medicine, serving both medicinal and flavoring purposes to mask the unpleasant taste of other medications. It is a very sweet, moist, soothing herb that detoxifies and protects the liver, while also exhibiting strong anti-inflammatory properties used for various conditions such as arthritis and canker sores. The root acts as an alterative, antispasmodic, expectorant, diuretic, emollient, laxative, mildly pectoral, and tonic. Additionally, studies have shown that the root has a hormonal effect similar to ovarian hormone. Licorice root is frequently found in cough remedies and used to treat catarrhal infections of the urinary tract. Internally, it is taken for Addison's disease, asthma, bronchitis, cough, gastric ulcers, arthritis, allergies, and post-steroid therapy. Caution is advised, especially avoiding use by pregnant women or individuals with high blood pressure, kidney disease, or those taking Digoxin-based medications. Prolonged use can elevate blood pressure and lead to water retention. Externally, the root is applied to treat herpes, eczema, and shingles. Harvested in the fall at 3-4 years of age, the root is dried for later use. The German Commission E "Monographs," a therapeutic guide for herbal medicine, approves Glycyrrhiza glabra for treating cough/bronchitis and gastritis.

Other uses: The plant provides a substance used for etching steel profiles in microphotography. Root extracts serve as foaming agents in beer and fire extinguishers. Fibers extracted from the roots are utilized for insulation, wall panels, cardboard, etc. These fibers can be used after removing the medicinal and flavoring components of the root. It acts as a dynamic accumulator, collecting minerals and nutrients from the soil and storing them in a more bioavailable form for use as fertilizer or to enhance mulch.

Growing

Requires a deep, well-cultivated, fertile, moisture-retentive soil for good root formation. Prefers sandy soil with abundant moisture and does not thrive in clay. Slightly alkaline conditions produce the best plants. Thrives in maritime climates. Hardy to about -15°C. Licorice is often grown for its edible root widely used in medicine and as a spice. Some named varieties exist. The ssp. glandulifera grows in Russia, forming adventitious roots up to 10 cm thick. Yields of 10 - 12 tons per hectare were considered good in the early 20th century but were only achieved in the fourth year of growth. Unless seeding is required, the plant is usually prevented from flowering to divert more energy into producing high-quality roots. The crushed root has a characteristic sweet, pungent smell. Plants acclimate slowly and do not grow vigorously in the first two years after transplanting. Young shoots are highly susceptible to damage by slugs, requiring some protection in the initial years. The plant roots quite deeply, with roots reaching up to 120 cm long. Once established, it is challenging to eradicate. This species lives in symbiosis with specific soil bacteria, forming nodules on the roots and fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant itself, while another part can be used by nearby plants. Heat-resistant in zones 12 to 10. For designing polycultures and above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub, etc., and size as indicated above), information on growth and root patterns is also useful and provided here if available. The plant spreads indefinitely through rhizomes or runners. The root pattern consists of stoloniferous roots from creeping stems above the ground.

Propagation

Soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours and sow them in the greenhouse in spring or autumn. Transplant the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough and continue growing them in the greenhouse through the first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer when actively growing. Seed-grown plants tend to grow rather slowly. Divide the root in spring or autumn, ensuring each division has at least one growth bud. Autumn divisions can be either replanted immediately or stored over winter and then planted out in spring. It is advisable to lift and grow the smaller divisions in a cold frame until established before planting them out in spring or summer.

Origin & habitat

Europe - Mediterranean.

Dry coastal areas, wasteland.

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