The bark of the rhizomes and roots of this perennial herb has been used since ancient times. Its sweet pungency has been extracted for making beverages, candies, and pastries. Try giving a child a stick of licorice root to chew on instead of the artificially sweetened conglomeration that now bears the name of licorice (yet which rarely contains any real licorice whatsoever). Use a licorice stick to clean your teeth.
As a medicinal, licorice root gives relief from sore throats and coughs. It is often an ingredient in throat lozenges. Add a few chips off a licorice root to some rose hips, and you will have a delicious tea that is extremely good for colds. Licorice has a laxative tendency. Pregnant women should avoid licorice root, as should those with diabetes, high blood pressure, or liver or kidney disorders. To take licorice medicinally for more than four weeks at a time can be risky and lead to water retention, high blood pressure, and impaired kidney function. As with any medicinal herb, moderation is always a safe measure.
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