Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a leguminous herb whose roots contain glycyrrhizin and flavonoids with expectorant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ulcer effects. It’s used in traditional medicine for coughs, pain relief, and gastric issues, and also as a sweetener.

Compounds Table

Compound	Approximate Percentage	Brief Description
Glycyrrhizin	4%	Anti-inflammatory, antiviral, skin protection, anti-allergic, improves gastric ulcers and intestinal inflammation
Glycyrrhetinic acid	--	Anti-inflammatory, prevents the hepatic clearance of hydrocortisone, reduces inflammation in inflammatory diseases
Flavonoids	--	Antispasmodic, wound protection, antioxidant effects, reduces damage from histamine and other inflammatory agents
Sesquiterpenes	--	Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects

Submit your request for pricing, consultation, or a sample of our Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra).

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a plant from the legume family (Leguminosae) that contains at least 4% glycyrrhizin in its dried roots.

Plant Characteristics
Glycyrrhiza glabra is a herbaceous plant that grows to a height of 50 to 100 cm or more. It has a simple or branched stem originating from the base, which is glabrous or slightly pubescent, and along the entire length of the stem, there are glistening glands without a base. The plant produces reddish-brown flowers with membranous structures approximately 2 mm in size.

Medicinal Part
The medicinal part of this plant is its roots, which have a variable surface ranging from grayish-brown to reddish-brown. Longitudinal grooves and the points of stem branching can be observed on the roots. The cross-section of the roots is yellow, with the central cylinder being more intensely colored.

Uses
Licorice is used as an expectorant, anti-inflammatory, and for the treatment of stomach ulcers. It is also used as a flavoring agent and sweetener. In traditional medicine, it has been used to heal wounds, relieve coughs, reduce pain, and alleviate gastric inflammation.

Pharmacological Effects

Flavonoids
The extract of licorice exhibits anti-spasm effects and neutralizes the effects of histamine, barium chloride, and acetylcholine. Most of these effects, as well as the protective effects on ulcers, are attributed to the flavonoids present in the extract.
Glycyrrhizin
Glycyrrhizin has saponin-like properties and is readily absorbed when taken orally. The expectorant properties of licorice extract are attributed to this compound. In the long-term treatment of stomach ulcers, edema (fluid retention) may appear, which is due to the retention of sodium and chloride ions, excessive excretion of potassium ions, and reduced urine output. This effect is similar to that of cortisol. It has recently been reported that glycyrrhizin is used as a carrier for topical medications, enhancing their transdermal absorption.

Additionally, glycyrrhetic acid, a derivative of glycyrrhizin, has anti-inflammatory effects. It indirectly prevents the complete hepatic clearance of hydrocortisone, meaning it inhibits the removal of 17-carbon side-chain hormones from the adrenal glands.