Description
Glycyrrhiza glabra. 3.7L coir pot.
This is a small herbaceous perennial belonging to the pea and bean family. It is generally cultivated for its stems which are used for confectionary flavouring. It also has medicinal qualities too.
The stems will grow upright to a maximum height of around 1m tall and 1m wide. It enjoys a full sun / part shade position in well drained soil.
The plant itself will produce small pale blue / purple flowers which will grow on conical spires as long as the leaves themselves. The ‘fruit’ will grow as reddish-brown pods with around two to five brown / black seeds inside.
Liquorice can be used to sweeten fruit such as rhubarb and plums when cooking, as a herbal tea flavour enhancer or sweetener, or to add flavour to beer and colour to stout.
The plant is used in the production of drinks, plug chewing tobacco, shoe polish and soap. It is also used to make the taste of modern medicines more palatable. The underground stems are one of the ingredients used in fire-extinguishers and in mushroom compost.
It is believed to assist with healing ulcers, aiding irritation in the digestive tract, lowering cholesterol levels and helping the liver. It is also believed to help lower stomach acid levels, relieve heartburn / indigestion and act as a mild laxative. It may help to reduce the symptoms of colds, lower fevers, soothe headache pains, reduce hay fever symptoms, conjunctivitis and asthma.
