Liquorice extracts have been used inherbalism andtraditional medicine.[8] Excessive consumption of liquorice (more than 2 mg/kg [0.91 mg/lb] per day of pureglycyrrhizinic acid, a key component of liquorice) can lead to undesirable consequences. Clinically, it is suspected that overindulgence in liquorice may manifest as unexplainedhypertension, low blood potassium levels (hypokalemia), and muscle weakness in individuals.[8][9][10] Consuming liquorice should be avoided during pregnancy.[9]
The wordliquorice (UK, CAN), orlicorice (US), is derived via theAnglo-Frenchlycorys, fromLate Latinliquiritia,[11] itself ultimately derived from Greekγλυκύρριζα,glykyrrhiza (theModern Greek spelling of the genus isγλυκόριζα,glykoriza)[12] literally meaning 'sweet root' and referring toGlycyrrhiza glabra.[13]
The latter gives the plantbinomial name withglabra meaningsmooth[14] and referring to the plant's smooth husks; the former came to being via the influence ofliquere, 'to become fluid', reflecting the method of extracting the sweet component from the roots.[15]
As of 2021[update], its English common name is spelled 'liquorice' in most of theCommonwealth, but 'licorice' is also used in some countries.[8][16][17]
Liquorice is aherbaceousperennial, growing to 1 metre (40 in) in height, withpinnateleaves about 7–15 cm (3–6 in) long, with 9–17 leaflets. Theflowers are 8–12 mm (5⁄16–1⁄2 in) long, purple to pale whitish blue, produced in a looseinflorescence. Thefruit is an oblongpod,20–30 mm (3⁄4–1+1⁄8 in) long, containing severalseeds.[18] The roots arestoloniferous.[19]
The scent of liquorice root comes from a complex and variable combination of compounds, of whichanethole is some 3% of total volatiles.[citation needed] Much of thesweetness in liquorice comes from glycyrrhizin, which has 30–50 times the sweetness ofsugar.[citation needed] The sweetness is different from sugar, being less instant, tart, and lasting longer.
Liquorice grows best in well-drained soils in deep valleys with full sun. It is harvested in the autumn two to three years after planting.[18] Countries producing liquorice include Turkey, Greece, Iran, and Iraq.[9]
Liquorice is used as a flavouring agent fortobacco, for flavour-enhancing and moistening agents in the manufacture of American blendcigarettes, moistsnuff,chewing tobacco, andpipe tobacco.[8][9][22] Liquorice provides tobacco products with a natural sweetness and a distinctive flavour that blends readily with the natural and imitation flavouring components employed in the tobacco industry.[9] Liquorice can also be added to cigaretterolling papers. As of 2009[update], the USFood and Drug Administration banned the use of any "characterizing flavors" other than menthol from cigarettes, but not other manufactured tobacco products.[23]
Liquorice flavour is found in a wide variety ofcandies or sweets. In most of these candies, the taste is reinforced byaniseed oil so the actual content of liquorice is low.
In the Netherlands, liquorice confectionery (drop) is a common sweet sold in many forms. Mixing it withmint,menthol,aniseed, orlaurel is common. It is also mixed withammonium chloride (salmiak); salmiak liquorice in the Netherlands is known aszoute drop ('salty liquorice'). Strong,salty sweets are also consumed inNordic countries where liquorice flavoured alcohols are sold, particularly in Denmark and Finland.[citation needed]
Dried sticks of the liquorice root are a traditional confectionery in the Netherlands as were they once in Britain. They were sold simply as sticks ofzoethout ('sweet wood') to chew on as a candy.
Liquorice root chips
Pontefract inYorkshire, England, is where liquorice mixed with sugar began to be used as a sweet in the contemporary way.[24]Pontefract cakes were originally made there.[25] In Cumbria, County Durham, Yorkshire and Lancashire, it is colloquially known as 'Spanish', supposedly because Spanish monks grew liquorice root atRievaulx Abbey nearThirsk.[26]
In Italy, Spain, and France, liquorice is used in its natural form. The root of the plant is simply harvested, washed, dried, and chewed as a mouth freshener. Throughout Italy, unsweetened liquorice is consumed in the form of small black pieces made only from 100% pure liquorice extract. InCalabria, aliqueur is made from pure liquorice extract and inReggio Emilia asoft drink called acqua d'orcio is made. In some parts of theArab world, includingEgypt and theLevant, the root of the licorice plant is used to make a cold drink with a sweet and mildly bitter taste, called Erk al-sous. This beverage is especially popular duringRamadan.[27]
In southeastern Turkey, such as inDiyarbakır, licorice root is traditionally made into a chilled beverage that is most commonly consumed in summer.[28]
Properties of glycyrrhizin are under preliminary research, such as forhepatitis C ortopical treatment ofpsoriasis, but the low quality of studies as of 2017[update] prevents conclusions about efficacy and safety.[8][9][29]
The United StatesFood and Drug Administration regards that foods containing liquorice and its derivatives (including glycyrrhizin) aregenerally recognized as safe for use as afood ingredient, if not consumed excessively.[8][9][10] Other jurisdictions have suggested no more than 100–200 mg (1.5–3.1 grains) of glycyrrhizin per day, the equivalent of about70–150 g (2+1⁄2–5+1⁄4 oz) of liquorice confectionery.[10] Although liquorice is considered safe as a food ingredient, glycyrrhizin can cause serious side effects if consumed in large amounts (above 0.2 mg per kg per day).[8][9][10] One estimate is that a normal healthy person can consume 10 mg (0.15 grains) of glycyrrhizic acid per day.[33]
Because the composition of liquorice extracts in various products may exist in a broad range, there is not enough scientific information to determine that a specific level of intake is safe or unsafe.[8][9]
The effects of excessive liquorice consumption onlowering potassium levels in the blood and increasingblood pressure are a particular concern for people with hypertension (high blood pressure) or heart or kidney disease.[8]
Some adverse effects of liquorice consumed in amounts of 50 to 200 g per day over four weeks appear to be caused byglycyrrhizic acid (75 to 540 mg per day glycyrrhetinic acid) causing increases in blood pressure.[9] Consuming large amounts of liquorice during pregnancy has been associated withpremature birth and health problems in the child.[9]
^abcdefghijk"Licorice root". National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, US National Institutes of Health. August 2020. Retrieved11 June 2023.
^Bradley H, ed. (1908)."Liquorice, licorice".ANew English Dictionary On Historical Principles (NED). Vol. VI. L to N. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press. p. 332. Retrieved2021-04-07.
^Brown, D., ed. (1995). "The RHS encyclopedia of herbs and their uses".ISBN1-4053-0059-0
^Somjen D, Katzburg S, Vaya J, Kaye AM, Hendel D, Posner GH, Tamir S (2004). "Estrogenic activity of glabridin and glabrene from licorice roots on human osteoblasts and prepubertal rat skeletal tissues".The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.91 (4–5):241–246.doi:10.1016/j.jsbmb.2004.04.008.PMID15336701.S2CID16238533.
^Tamir S, Eizenberg M, Somjen D, Izrael S, Vaya J (2001). "Estrogen-like activity of glabrene and other constituents isolated from licorice root".The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.78 (3):291–298.doi:10.1016/S0960-0760(01)00093-0.PMID11595510.S2CID40171833.
^Yu JJ, Zhang CS, Coyle ME, Du Y, Zhang AL, Guo X, Xue CC, Lu C (2017). "Compound glycyrrhizin plus conventional therapy for psoriasis vulgaris: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials".Current Medical Research and Opinion.33 (2):279–287.doi:10.1080/03007995.2016.1254605.PMID27786567.S2CID4394282.
^Bensky D, et al. (2004).Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Third Edition. Eastland Press.ISBN978-0-939616-42-8.
^Armanini D, Fiore C, Mattarello MJ, Bielenberg J, Palermo M (September 2002). "History of the endocrine effects of licorice".Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes.110 (6):257–61.doi:10.1055/s-2002-34587.PMID12373628.
.JPG)
