Licorice

You have undoubtedly consumed it on more than one occasion in one of its many presentations, but ... have you ever stopped to think what exactly is licorice? Also known as palodul, it is a plant grown almost all over the world that is widely used in confectionery due to its bittersweet taste. However, the properties of licorice go far beyond its use as a condiment, because this plant also has interesting health benefits that we will tell you about below.

Licorice properties

Licorice's scientific name is Glycyrrhiza glabra, which means "sweet root." Precisely the root is the part of this plant that is used and concentrates the benefits of licorice for medicinal purposes. Its sweetness is due to the glycyrrhizinic acid it contains, which in addition to being 50 times sweeter than sugar, is effective in fighting viruses and herpes. For this reason, taking licorice helps to treat respiratory diseases such as colds or flu, since it is also an expectorant and relieves coughing.

The properties of licorice do not end here, since it is a natural anti-inflammatory used to treat rheumatic and arthritic pain. In addition, licorice is good for preventing digestive disorders and purifying the body. Applied to the skin, licorice helps heal wounds, sores, mouth sores, and eye inflammations. Finally, taking licorice can help control hormonal changes during menopause.

How to take licorice

To enjoy the medicinal properties of licorice, you can buy crushed licorice root with which to prepare various infusions and herbal teas. Another possibility is licorice extract, which contains a high concentration of active ingredients, as well as licorice capsules and tablets that are marketed as a nutritional supplement.