Used as a health aide for thousands of years black licorice is made from a root. This is a fact that many people are unaware of. Licorice is a food product that many people don't recognize as being anything more than simply a sweet treat. Besides its use as a sweet treat, today we often find licorice used as a flavouring in food products. You have likely heard of licorice cough drops or tea as these are a common item on grocery shelves.
The Licorice plant or Glycyrrhiza glabra is a low bush perennial that grows wild in select areas of Europe and Asia. It was originally considered a weed rather than a sweet. Fortunately its benefits were not to be overlooked. An ingredient known as Glycyrrhiza found within the roots and underground stems of the licorice plant is what accounts for its taste and sweetness.
Glycyrrhizic acid is the compound within Licorice that is responsible for most of the negative attributes. Which is why a means has been devised to remove this ingredient from the root itself. This safer product is labelled as DGL or deglycyrrhizinated licorice.
The anise plant which has a similar flavor to licorice is now quite often used in its place within food products as another means of avoiding the harmful effects of Glycrrhizic acid.
Still the medicinal attributes and side effects of this root remain highly misunderstood by the vast majority of individuals who consume it. It is nice to know that the medical and scientific communities today know considerably more about Licorice's health benefits and detriments then when it was first introduced for medicinal purposes hundreds of years ago. Those who know its folklore often still purchase or grow this root strictly for its health benefits.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Translates From Greek to Mean Sweet Root
This name originates in Ancient Greece and appropriately translates to mean Sweet Root. Glycrrhiza is about fifty times sweeter than sugar. Most commercially grown product is exported from Greece, Turkey, China, and Asia.
Ingredients within the roots of the plant are used to make a popular black candy that we refer to as licorice. The root is also commonly used as a sweetening or flavouring agent in a variety of today's commercial food products. It is often added to herb teas, soothing cough lozenges, cough syrups, as well as being found in a wide assortment of candy products. Licorice root is also used as a filler within drug capsules and even as a mask to offset a drugs unpleasant taste. In the United Kingdom it is used as an emulsifier to create the foam in drink products and alcoholic beverages. Yet among the people who consume it many are unaware of its health benefits and detriments.
The Health Benefits of Licorice
Licorice root or Glycrrhiza is primarily used as a treatment for inflammation of the stomach or for ailments of the upper respiratory tract.It is used as an aide for constipation, gastritis, stomach ulcers, canker sores or mouth ulcers, and also for relief of menstrual cramping. As well it is frequently used to relieve symptoms of bronchitis or the common cold, and can be found in many over the counter cough syrups, and lozenges.
Studies are currently being conducted to see if Glycrrhiza could prove beneficial in the treatment of HIV and Genital Herpes. So far the results are showing positive results. It is always best when looking into alternative health therapies to consult with your local doctor to insure that participating in that treatment will be of benefit to you. Always research and be aware of the medications, herbs and alternative therapies that you are considering undertaking. Many herbal and alternative treatments are not federally regulated and as such can prove harmful or even fatal if used incorrectly or in excess.
Red licorice is very different from black. It turns out that the red variety of this treat isn't a licorice product at all. It really is candy. It does not contain the potentially harmful effects that black licorice may contain because it is made from artificial flavorings of cherry, strawberry, or raspberry, rather than from the root of the glyrrhiza glabra plant. It is a true sweet candy treat made from sugars or syrups.
Potential Side Effects Associated With Over Consumption
Licorice is not without its negative health affects. Ill effects can occur from consuming this sweet treat on a regular basis. People should be very aware of the amount that they consume and the length of time that they consume it. Eating as little as fifty grams of black licorice candy per day for a two week period can raise a person's blood pressure dramatically. It can also cause potassium depletion, electrolyte disturbance, sodium or fluid retention, or affect PH levels within the blood.
Also if you were wondering if the correct spelling is Licorice or Liquorice? Well both are correct. Licorice is generally used in the United States and Canada whereas Liquorice is used in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. No matter how you spell it this candy whether black or red, makes for a wonderful Halloween treat.