ENGLISH NAME: Liquorice,
Licorice
LATIN NAME: Glycyrrhiza
glabra
LOCAL NAMES:
Bulgarian: Сладник, Сладък корен, Женско биле
Czech: Lékořice lysá
COUNTRY: Bulgaria
WHERE TO FIND IT:
Region: Along the Danube
River and Danube Plain
Terrain: Moist, grassy
areas
DESCRIPTION:
A perennial herb with a short, thick rhizome and erect stems
reaching 50–200 cm. It has pinnate leaves with 9–17 oval or elliptic
leaflets. Flowers are rose-violet, arranged in loose racemes in
the leaf axils, blooming June–July. The fruit is a flattened bean pod,
either glandular or smooth, straight or slightly curved.
USABLE PARTS:
Roots — used either unpeeled (Radix Liquiritiae naturale) or peeled
(Radix Liquiritiae mundata).
MEDICINAL
PROPERTIES:
General Effects:
Adrenal cortex
and pancreas stimulant
Anti-inflammatory,
anti-ulcer, antispasmodic
Expectorant, antioxidant,
antibacterial, antiviral
Estrogenic,
hypoglycemic, immune-supportive
Liver-protective,
tonic, mild sedative
Promotes
digestion, protects mucous membranes
UNDESIRED
EFFECTS:
Contraindications:
Pregnancy and
breastfeeding
Chronic liver disease, severe
kidney failure, diabetes
Possible side
effects (especially with long-term use or carbenoxolone-based extracts):
Increased blood
pressure
Water retention
and edema
Hormonal
disturbances: reduced libido, gynecomastia, hair loss
PREPARATION &
USAGE:
Preparation
varies by ailment. Consultation with a healthcare professional
is strongly recommended.
Common methods: decoction
or infusion, tailored to the condition and dosage required.
Used in cough
syrups, lozenges, and herbal formulations.
Root extracts are
also used in candies and medicinal syrups.
HARVEST TIME:
March (early spring)
or November (late autumn) — root collection
June–July — flowering period (not for harvesting root)
HARVEST METHOD:
Harvest from plants
at least 3 years old.
Cut 75% of the rhizome,
leaving part to regenerate.
Reharvestable
from the same plant after 6 years.
After washing and
trimming into 30–35 cm sections, dry in the sun or in dryers.
Roots are fully
dry when they snap when bent.
CONSERVATION (STORAGE):
Store dried roots
in well-ventilated, dry, and cool locations.
Properly dried
roots can be stored for up to 10 years.