Glycyrrhiza glabra

Glycyrrhiza glabra L., liquorice root, Fabaceae (Papilionaceae), is one of the very important medicinal plants in Ayurveda.

Glycyrrhiza glabra naturally occurs in southern Europe and northern Asia. In India it is grown to a limited extent in northern Uttar Pradesh, but the bulk of a huge requirement has to be imported from Afghanistan, Middle East, Russia and Spain.

The roots (Glycyrrhiza glabra1) contain glycyrrhizin (liquorice), which is a saponin that is 60 times sweeter than cane sugar. It tastes very sweet, but a little sticky and thick in the mouth. It is a popular alternate sweetener, used by those who cannot use cane sugar.

Glyrrhizin is used as an demulcent, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, anti-trussive, mild laxative and antibiotic. The most common use of liquorice is in cough lozenges and syrups and in confectionery.

Excessive use liquorice may cause oedema due to retention of sodium and calcium ions and increased elimination of potassium ions. Its general effects are similar to cartisone. It can also depress smooth muscle action.

Liquorice is used in the tobacco industry as a moisture retainer, flavouring and sweetening agent and in beer as a head stabiliser and sparkling enhancer and sweetener. It is also used in fire fighting fluids as a foam stabiliser. It is a wetting agent in insecticides.

Several other species in the Fabaceae contain glycyrrhizin. The most important Indian source could be Abrus precatorius, the Indian liquorice, whose leaves contain a lot more of the compound than liquorice root (see Abrus precatorius1 & Abrus precatorius2). . The leaflets are also added to paan, the masticatory package containing principally areca nut wrapped in betel leaves. Abrus precatorius should seriously considered as an alternative source of liquorice.

Liquorice is synthesised in tissue cultured from glycyrrhiza plants, but the yields are not encouraging. It will be of a great help if the cultivation of the species is seriously experimented, particularly in south India. .