Licorice is a pretty blue-flowered perennial, grown mainly in Europe. The roots are crushed, ground, and boiled to extract the juice, which is then thickened to produce hard black sticks of paste known as black sugar. The bittersweet flavoring is used in candy and tobacco, as a soothing ingredient in cough drops and syrups, as a laxative, and in the manufacture of shoe polish. Licorice is also an excellent source of iron.
USES
• Licorice syrup can be used to treat persistent coughs, and to reduce the incidence of asthma attacks.
• A strong infusion can protect against and heal ulcers. Drink it three times each day.
• Steep licorice root with a blend of other soothing herb teas to treat gastric disorders, and to stimulate kidneys and bowel.
• Used with other strengthening herbs such as ginseng for exhaustion.
• Licorice is used in creams or pastes for the relief of inflamed psoriasis and hot and weepy skin conditions.
PROPERTIES
• Expectorant and anti-infl ammatory, making it excellent for stubborn coughs and lung infections
• Mild laxative
• Adrenal tonic
• Detoxifies the body. In the Far East, licorice is used to rid the body of poisons such as salmonella or as an antidote to overuse of drugs
• Raises blood pressure. Can be used in the treatment of low blood pressure
CAUTION
Large doses of licorice can cause water retention and exacerbate high blood pressure. Avoid in pregnancy.
Thursday, 9 January 2014
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