Liquorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Licorice root grows primarily in the Mediterranean countries, the Balkan, Russia, Caucasus, Turkey, the Middle East, China and Mongolia. Licorice root  has been used for ulcers of the stomach and the duodenum, bad breath and inflammations in the throat and bronchi. It is expectorant, anti-spasmodic, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and has a protective effect on the liver. The active substances glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid from the root have shown promising results. Their anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic effect can alleviate arthritis, hypersensitivity, chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, and glycyrrhizin is one of the most documented anti-viral plant substances.