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Liquorice
Liquorice (UK) or '''licorice''' (U.S.) (see American and British English spelling differences|spelling differences; , or ) is the root of '''''Glycyrrhiza glabra''''', from which a sweet flavour can be extracted. The liquorice plant is a legume (related to beans and peas) and native to southern Europe and parts of Asia. It is an herbaceous perennial plant|perennial, growing to 1 m in height, with pinnate leaf|leaves about 7–15 centimetres (3–6 inches) long, with 9–17 leaflets. The flowers are 0.8–1.2 cm (1/3 to 1/2 inch) long, purple to pale whitish blue, produced in a loose inflorescence. The fruit is an oblong legume|pod, 2–3 centimetres (about 1 inch) long, containing several seeds.[Huxley, A., ed. (1992). ''New RHS Dictionary of Gardening''. ISBN 0-333-47494-5]
Cultivation and uses
Liquorice grows best in deep, fertile, well-drained soils, with full sun, and is harvested in the autumn two to three years after planting.[
Liquorice extract is produced by boiling liquorice root and subsequently evaporating most of the water. In fact, the name 'liquorice'/'licorice' is derived (via the Old French ''licoresse''), from the Ancient Greek ''glukurrhiza'', meaning 'sweet root'.][http://www.food-info.net/uk/products/sweets/liquorice.htm Dutch website of Wageningen University with English information about "Drop"]
Pontefract in Yorkshire was the first place where liquorice mixed with sugar began to be used as a sweet in the same way it is in the modern day.[http://www.ikdrinkdropshot.nl/main.php semi-official "drop-shot" site (In Dutch)]
Liquorice is popular in Italy (particularly in the South) and Spain in its natural form. The root of the plant is simply dug up, washed and chewed as mouth-freshener. Throughout Italy unsweetened liquorice is consumed in the form of small black pieces made only from 100% pure liquorice extract; the taste is bitter and intense, also popular in the UK too 'L. Imps'. In Calabria a popular liqueur is made from pure liquorice extract. Liquorice is also very popular in Syria where it is sold as a drink. Dried liquorice root can be chewed as a sweet. Black liquorice contains approximately 100 calories per ounce (28 g).[Licorice Calories]
Chinese cuisine uses liquorice as a culinary spice for savoury foods. It is often employed to flavour broths and foods simmered in soy sauce.
Other herbs and spices of similar flavour include anise, star anise, tarragon, and fennel.
It is also the main ingredient of a very well known soft drink in Egypt, called عرقسوس ('erk-soos).
[عرقسوس (Liquorice)]
Medicinal use
Powdered liquorice root is an effective expectorant, and has been used for this purpose since ancient times, especially in Ayurvedic medicine where it is also used in tooth powders and is known as '''Jastimadhu'''. Modern cough syrups often include liquorice extract as an ingredient. Additionally, liquorice may be useful in conventional and naturopathic medicine for both mouth ulcers[''Materia Medica'', retrieved 24 May 2007] but whether it affects the amount of free testosterone is unclear. Consuming licorice can prevent hyperkalemia. Large doses of Glycyrrhizin|glycyrrhizinic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid in liquorice extract can lead to hypokalemia and serious increases in blood pressure, a syndrome known as apparent mineralocorticoid excess. These side effects stem from the inhibition of the enzyme 11Beta Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase|11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (type 2) and subsequent increase in activity of cortisol on the kidney. 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase normally inactivates cortisol in the kidney; thus, liquorice's inhibition of this enzyme makes the concentration of cortisol appear to increase. Cortisol acts at the same receptor as the hormone aldosterone in the kidney and the effects mimic aldosterone excess, although aldosterone remains low or normal during liquorice overdose. To decrease the chances of these serious side effects, Deglycyrrhizinated licorice|deglycyrrhizinated liquorice preparations are available. The disabling of similar enzymes in the gut by glycyrrhizinic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid also causes increased mucus and decreased acid secretion. It inhibits ''Helicobacter pylori'', is used as an aid for healing stomach and duodenal ulcers, and in moderate amounts may soothe an upset stomach. Liquorice can be used to treat ileitis, leaky gut syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease as it is antispasmodic in the bowels.[http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/news/20040329/licorice-root-may-keep-mental-skills-sharp]
Uses with tobacco
A significant amount of liquorice production goes toward flavouring, sweetening and conditioning tobacco|tobacco products. http://tobaccodocuments.org/profiles/licorice.html Liquorice adds a mellow, sweet woody flavour, and it enhances the taste of tobacco. The burning liquorice also generates some toxins found in the smoke, http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=17030731 and the glycyrrhizin expands the airways, which allows users to inhale more smoke. http://www.bupa.co.uk/health_information/asp/healthy_living/lifestyle/smoking/relationship/ingredients.asp
Toxicity
Excessive consumption of liquorice or liquorice candy is known to be Toxicity|toxic to the liver[''The Nurse's Guide To Herbal Remedies'' from Salisbury University] and Circulatory system|cardiovascular system, and may produce hypertension [''Liquorice and hypertension'' Editorial in The Netherlands Journal of Medicine, 2005] and oedema.[''A Guide to Medicinal and Aromatic Plants'' from Purdue University] There have been occasional cases where blood pressure has increased with excessive consumption of liquorice tea, but such occasions are rare and reversible when the herb is withdrawn.[Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D., ''Safety Issues Affecting Herbs: Herbs that May Increase Blood Pressue'', retrieved 24 May 2007] Most cases of hypertension from liquorice were caused by eating too much concentrated liquorice candy.[''Woman 'overdoses' on liquorice'', BBC News online, published Friday, 21 May, 2004] Doses as low as 50g daily for two weeks can cause a significant rise in blood pressure.[Sigurjónsdóttir, H.A., et al. Liquorice-induced rise in blood pressure: a linear dose-response relationship. ''Journal of Human Hypertension'' (2001) 15, 549-552.]
The European Commission 2008 report suggested that “people should not consume any more than 100mg of glycyrrhizic acid a day, for it can raise blood pressure or cause muscle weakness, chronic fatigue, headaches or swelling, and lower testosterone levels in men.” Haribo, manufacturer of Pontefract cakes, stated: “Haribo advises, as with any other food, liquorice products should be eaten in moderation.” A 56-year-old Yorkshire woman was hospitalized after liquorice overdose ( 200 grams a day)," which caused muscle failure. The hospital restored her potassium levels, by intravenous drip and tablets, allowing her to recover after 4 days.[BBC Woman 'overdoses' on liquorice 21 May 2004]
Gallery
Image:Glycyrrhiza glabra (chip of Spanish wood).jpg|Sliver of liquorice root
Image:Glycyrrhiza glabra (Pile of Spanish wood chips).jpg|Various liquorice root slivers
Image:Réglisse(racine).JPG|Liquorice root with bark
Image:Illustration Glycyrrhiza glabra.jpg|Liquorice schnapps
Notes
External links
- National Institute of Health - Medline
- PDRhealth.com - Profile of Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL)
- Chemical & Engineering News article on Licorice
Category:Faboideae
Category:Spices
Category:Sweeteners
Category:Medicinal plants
Related Images- Liquorice root
- ''Glycyrrhiza glabra'' from Koehler's ''Medicinal-Plants''
Sources: StartLearningNow, Wikipedia | Usage license: GNU FDL
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