Pharaohs to Pharmacies: the timeless healing power of licorice root

Licorice in Medieval Scotland

During the course of his adventures in medieval Scotland, Shawn Kleiner, modern trombonist, meets the mysterious Sorcha who lives alone in a cave and seems to be a seer of sorts and a healer. She may well have used licorice root. While the plant isn't native to Scotland, it was likely brought to Britain from warmer climates to be cultivated in monks' gardens around the 11th century, when it is known to have been in Pontefract, Yorkshire, brought by the Benedictines.

Healing Properties

Licorice root is a great addition to both meals and desserts, more for its flavor than for any nutritional benefits, but in addition to its great taste, it also has healing properties, being an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiviral, on top of its soothing properties. 

Research and tradition suggest it can help with:

• Digestive relief: can help with acid reflux, indigestion, peptic ulcers and general discomfort by increasing mucus production to protect the stomach lining and reducing inflammation.
• Respiratory and throat relief: acts as both soothing relief and expectorant and has traditionally been used for coughs, sore throats, bronchitis, and respiratory issues.
• Anti-inflammatory and skin: may help with eczema and healing wounds
• Oral health: may help prevent tooth decay, reduce plaque, fight bacteria and help canker sores
• Antiviral and antimicrobial to fight infections and viruses
• And possible benefit for liver and mind; protection against cancer, diabetes, obesity

How to Use Licorice

Apart from tablets or lozenges, which are perhaps not so easily made at home without skill and knowledge, licorice root (the root itself, other parts of the plant are generally not used) can be:

• Prepared as a tea, alone, or with blends of peppermint, fennel or ginger to taste
• Tincture
• Powdered and added to smoothies, yogurt or other recipes

Growing Your Own Licorice

This is a long-term project. Seeds often do best with pre-treatment:

• Soak in water for 2-24 hours.
• Put in the refrigerator for 2-4 weeks (stratifying)

Seeds germinate in 14-20 days. However, growth is slow in the first 1-2 years. Roots will be thin. It will typically take 2-3 years for even a small, usable harvest. Waiting 3-4 years is much better to get thicker roots. Don't let the plant go beyond 4-5 years, as the roots can become tough.

Licorice can be grown in pots but progress may be slower.

Harvest is best done in the fall. 

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