Description
The root has a sweet and delicious flavour that is used in making sweets, baked goods, ice cream, soft drinks, etc.
Roots contain glycyrrhizin which is 30-50 times sweeter than sugar. The dried root is often used for chewing. A popular tea is made from the root and is a good thirst quencher.
It is a very common medicinal herb in Western medicine and has a long history of use.
It is detoxificant, protecticve, anti-inflammatory and alterative. It has antispasmodic and expectorant actions and is a mild laxative. Commonly taken as a tonic and in cough medicines. When used therapeutically, use caution, and do so under the supervision of a medical herbalist as it may interfere with other medicines.
Externally, the root is used in the treatment of herpes, eczema and shingles
It can be grown as a nitrogen fixing plant, and for producing fibres.
