Licorice is a common herbal supplement that is used to treat a variety of conditions, but it is also a widely used ingredient in Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine. Regardless of whether it is taken topically or by mouth, it offers various health benefits (some clinically proven, others are part of popular tradition), as long as it is taken in small doses and for short periods. When used in cooking, it gives the preparations a flavor similar to anise and fennel that goes well with drinks, desserts and savory dishes.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Take Licorice Orally to Treat Health Problems
Step 1. Eat licorice to cure various ailments
This plant is traditionally consumed for arthritis, stomach problems and an excess of sebum in the hair. In addition, it has been clinically proven that several positive results are obtained for:
- Stomach ache;
- Skin problems such as eczema
- Hypotension;
- Addison's disease (chronic adrenal insufficiency);
- Maintain blood potassium levels in people undergoing dialysis;
- Increase fertility in women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome;
- Sore throat and mouth ulcers;
- Reduce body fat;
- Prostate, breast, colon, liver and lung cancer
- Ulcers;
- Disorders of the immune system.
Step 2. Gargle a licorice solution to treat sores and bad breath
Combine one teaspoon (5 g) of powdered licorice in 250 ml of warm water and stir until the substance has completely dissolved.
- Use the gargle mixture four to five times a day to soothe and heal mouth ulcers. When you use it for this purpose, you don't have to swallow the solution.
- Similarly, make a mixture of 60ml warm water and half a teaspoon of licorice extract to reduce or eliminate bad breath.
Step 3. Drink licorice tea for cough, sore throat, stomach pain or menstrual cramps
Add one tablespoon (15 ml) of chopped licorice root to 500 ml of water in a small saucepan. Simmer the mixture on the stove over low heat for 15-20 minutes. Filter it before drinking it.
- Drink the tea while it is still warm to relieve colds, coughs, or upper respiratory infections.
- Sip it once a day for a month to treat acid reflux and peptic ulcers.
- To maximize the benefits of this plant during menstruation, drink the herbal tea once a day starting three days before the start of your menstrual cycle.
Step 4. Combine the properties of licorice with those of other herbs to increase their benefits
This plant is believed to increase the effectiveness of many other herbs when taken in combination. You can mix it with other herbal products generally used for herbal teas; the final blend will be more effective against some pathologies or ailments.
- Combine 60ml of licorice root with 2.5cm of ginger and 2 liters of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Filter and drink the herbal tea while it is still hot. This solution is suitable for treating colds, sore throats and indigestion.
- Combine licorice, chamomile, and mint in equal parts. Pour the ingredients into the water, respecting a 1: 5 ratio. Then leave them to infuse over low heat for 10 minutes. Filter the mixture and drink it as needed to treat indigestion and heartburn.
Step 5. Chew a small piece of licorice to soothe a sore throat or fight bad breath
Cut a small piece of the root and chew it for 5-15 minutes.
- Licorice numbs the throat while acting as an emollient, covering the throat with a thin layer of mucus that soothes pain.
- This root contains bactericidal compounds that can kill the bacteria responsible for bad breath and tooth decay.
Step 6. Take supplements for various ailments
Although herbal teas and rinses are more suitable for sore throats, mouth disorders and indigestion due to their soothing effects, supplements in tablet or extract form are more effective in the case of other diseases. These licorice supplements have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiviral properties, which make treatments for low blood pressure, Addison's disease, infertility due to polycystic ovary syndrome, ulcers, indigestion, cancer (such as supplement) and immune system disorders.
- Take DGL (deglycyrrine licorice) if possible. This version lacks the chemical glycyrrhizin, which raises blood pressure and causes muscle weakness.
- The correct dosage is 2 mg / kg per day.
- Attention: If the licorice you are taking is not deglycyrinized, do not take more than 100 mg per day, equivalent to about 1 ml of extract. An overdose of this substance, in fact, causes an excess of the hormone aldosterone, which in turn generates muscle weakness, headache and hypertension.
Step 7. Make sure the products you buy contain real licorice
It is not uncommon for anise oil to be used in place of this root in many products sold as "licorice".
Method 2 of 3: Apply Licorice Topically against Skin Disorders
Step 1. Topical treatments can help with certain diseases
For this purpose, licorice is usually used to treat various skin ailments, such as eczema, but it is also useful to combat some internal pathologies that manifest external symptoms (such as cold sores), to increase the general energy levels of the organism, treat melasma and lighten the skin, as well as reduce the thickness of subcutaneous fat.
Step 2. Make licorice root ointment
Add 2 teaspoons (30ml) of licorice root to 1.5L of water. Cook slowly over medium-low heat for 40 minutes; then filter and let the mixture cool. You can apply the resulting conditioner directly to the skin with a cotton pad.
- Smear licorice ointment on skin that is irritated from rashes or eczema.
- To treat melasma, dab the substance on dark spots on your skin once a day before going to bed.
- Rub the balm on the thighs, arms and other areas of the body where cellulite is present to reduce the thickness of the fat under the skin.
Step 3. Soak in a low-concentrated licorice solution to reduce tiredness and treat low blood pressure
Incorporate 180ml of chopped root in 1 liter of hot water. Let the solution sit for two to three hours, then boil it for 5 minutes. Add this boiling mixture to the tub water and soak for 20-30 minutes.
Step 4. Make a licorice powder paste to fight acne, hair loss or calluses
Purchase licorice powder or mince enough root to make 15 g. Combine it with 120-250ml of cold milk, mixing well until you get a rather fluid paste.
- Incorporate a spoonful of honey to treat acne; honey has antimicrobial and healing properties.
- Add a pinch of saffron and apply the paste to your scalp if you want to combat hair loss.
- Replace the milk with 5ml of olive oil to create a paste that will help soften corns and calluses.
Step 5. Use licorice extract for cold sores and genital herpes
You can use it more or less like paste or ointment. However, this method is more suitable for targeted applications, such as cold sores. If you plan to apply it to a large area of skin, you should dilute it first.
It was found that the glycyrrhizin present in the licorice extract is able to block the reproduction of the virus responsible for cold sores and genital herpes. Apply it directly to the bladder twice a day
Method 3 of 3: Cooking with Licorice
Step 1. This plant is great for adding flavor to many dishes
You can add it to any dish you want to add an aniseed or fennel flavor to, either as a root or as a powder. It goes well with desserts, sauces and many other preparations.
Step 2. Make a syrup
Pour a syrup - made by boiling the roots - over ice cream, cookies and any other dessert to add a sweet licorice flavor. Here's how to proceed:
- Peel and chop the root;
- Put it in a pot, cover it with water and let it simmer for at least an hour;
- Add 60 g of sugar for each liter of liquid. Slowly bring it to a boil until the sugar dissolves;
- Pour it into a jar while it is still very hot.
Step 3. Infuse the root to enrich the flavor of teas, syrups, sauces and creams
Leave it in the liquid for at least 10 minutes - the longer the time, the more intense the flavor. Remove the root before serving.
Step 4. Season the sugar or preserving salt
The root of this plant can be used a bit like vanilla pods to enrich the flavor of dried products. Put some in the sugar bowl or add the root to the salt and use these ingredients to make cookies and puddings, to flavor fish dishes, baked carrots or sweet potatoes.
Step 5. Flavor the coffee with licorice
You can use a licorice stick to mix your coffee (the more you leave it to infuse, the stronger the flavor will be). If you prefer a stronger flavor, add a pinch of powdered licorice to your morning espresso.
Step 6. Incorporate a pinch of powdered licorice into savory dishes
Just add it while preparing each recipe. It goes perfectly with all the other spices you use to flavor meat, especially when preparing pigeon, duck, quail, pork and lamb.
Step 7. Let the licorice taste appreciate in your desserts
This plant has a strong flavor, so it's worth making it the predominant ingredient in your sweet recipes. Try mixing it in batter, creams or prepare recipes where it is the "queen", such as ice cream or panna cotta.
You can do a simple search online by typing "licorice sweets" to find a wide variety of different recipes
Warnings
- Licorice interacts with many medications. Always consult your doctor before taking it for therapeutic purposes.
- Do not take it for more than four weeks, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Taking 100 mg or more for an extended period could dangerously raise blood pressure and lower potassium levels even in healthy people. If you have any heart disease, kidney disease or high blood pressure, even small amounts could create complications.
- Do not take licorice during pregnancy. In excessive doses it can cause a miscarriage or premature birth. There is also not enough information about its effects during breastfeeding, so it is not recommended to take it even during this period.
- Stop drinking at least two weeks before surgery as it can affect blood pressure control.
