Throughout history two main varieties of the licorice root have been used by cultures all around the world. These include Glycyrrhiza glabra and Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Davis et al, 1991). Glycyrrhiza glabra is the licorice commonly used by the Western world today and is found in Greece, Turkey, Russia, Spain, Iraq and Northern China (Davis et al, 1991). The usage of this herb dates back to the time of Ancient Egypt where it was found in the 3000 year old tomb of King Tut (Davis et al, 1991). The Ancient Egyptians placed licorice next to the pharaoh as ritual believing that once he reaches the afterlife he may use this root to create the sweet drink mai sus, which is still consumed today (Davis et al, 1991). The Ancient Greeks in the first millennium B.C. were also avid fans of licorice as they believed that it ingesting can treat asthma and when combined with honey it could be used as a topical medicine to heal wounds (Davis et al, 1991). It was also believed at the time that when used as lozenge it could clear the throat and delay feelings of hunger and thirst (Davis et al, 1991).
Glycyrrhiza uralensis is indigenious to Northern China, Mongolia, and Siberia (Davis et al, 1991) and its medicinal purposes were believed to be documented several thousand years ago by Shen Nong , the father of traditional Chinese medicine (Steven Foster Group INC., 2008). It has been historically used as a tonic for many disorders such as an antidote for mushroom poisoning, as a painkiller to sooth sore throats and coughs, and to cure toxic abscesses and acute abdominal pains (Davis et al, 1991). Also it can be added to food to treat acne, heat stroke and psychological disorders such as manic depression, hysteria and violent temper (Davis et al, 1991).
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| King Tut and Alexander the Great, both licorice lovers-http://www.americanlicorice.com/aboutUs/historyOfLicorice.aspx |
Glycyrrhiza uralensis is indigenious to Northern China, Mongolia, and Siberia (Davis et al, 1991) and its medicinal purposes were believed to be documented several thousand years ago by Shen Nong , the father of traditional Chinese medicine (Steven Foster Group INC., 2008). It has been historically used as a tonic for many disorders such as an antidote for mushroom poisoning, as a painkiller to sooth sore throats and coughs, and to cure toxic abscesses and acute abdominal pains (Davis et al, 1991). Also it can be added to food to treat acne, heat stroke and psychological disorders such as manic depression, hysteria and violent temper (Davis et al, 1991).
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