Licorice is a plant originally grown in central Europe, but now found all across Europe and Asia. Aside from its medicinal properties, it has been used to flavor foods for centuries.
Licorice root is used medicinally.
The two most important components of licorice are glychrrhizin and flavonoids. Glycyrrhizin works as an anti-inflammatory and antiviral and inhibits the breakdown of cortisol. Test tube studies have found that licorice flavonoids kill heliobacter pylori, the bacteria responsible for most ulcers and stomach inflammation. Today, licorice remains one of the most important herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. Other clinical studies have used licorice extracts to treat eczema and herpes.