Other Names: Sweet Root, Gan Cao, Liquorice, Mulethi, Russian Licorice
✨ Energetic & Astrological Profile
Element: Water + Earth
Phase of the Moon: Full Moon
Zodiac Signs: Deeply aligned with Pisces, Cancer, and Taurus. Acts as a softener and stabiliser for Aries, Virgo, and Capricorn.
Planets: Jupiter, Venus
Tarot Cards:
🌾 Strength – inner resilience, soft power
🩷 2 of Cups – harmony, sweetness in connection
🌙 Temperance – balance, gentleness
🌬 Page of Cups – emotional intuition and healing
🌍 Habitat & Sensory Nature
Licorice Root is native to southern Europe and western Asia, thriving in deep, well-drained soils under the sun. It’s the underground stem that holds all the goodness, storing a complex, sticky-sweet essence.
Flavour: Very sweet, slightly earthy, cooling
Temperature: Neutral to slightly warming
Humidity: Moistening
Tissue State Support: Dryness, tension, stagnation
🧬 Phytochemistry & Herbal Actions
Constituents:
- Glycyrrhizin (50x sweeter than sugar)
- Flavonoids (liquiritin, isoliquiritin)
- Saponins
- Coumarins
- Polysaccharides
- Isoflavones
Primary Actions:
Adaptogen • Demulcent • Anti-inflammatory • Expectorant • Adrenal tonic • Hepatoprotective • Antiviral • Antispasmodic • Cortisone-sparing
💊 Medicinal Benefits
Licorice Root is the herbal equivalent of a soothing hug and a stress shield all in one. It offers broad-spectrum support with a particularly strong affinity for adrenals, digestion, and the respiratory system.
🌿 Adrenal & Hormonal Support
- Tonifies the adrenal glands (great for burnout & chronic stress)
- Modulates cortisol, extending its half-life and softening the crash
- Helpful for hormone balancing, especially in PCOS and peri-menopause
🌿 Respiratory Relief
- Moistens dry lungs and soothes sore throats
- Acts as a natural expectorant — think lingering cough, bronchitis, or voice fatigue
- Reduces inflammation in airways
🌿 Digestive Harmony
- Calms heartburn, indigestion, and inflammation in the gut lining
- Traditional go-to for gastritis, ulcers, or "hot stomach"
- Useful for IBS with emotional components
🌿 Immune & Liver Support
- Antiviral (especially useful for cold sores and respiratory viruses)
- Supports gentle liver detox and bile flow
🧘 Emotional & Energetic Benefits
Licorice brings a vibe of emotional softening and integration. It’s the inner peacemaker — helping to hold all your parts together when life gets chaotic.
For those who:
- Burn bright and crash hard
- Are emotionally brittle or in “survival mode”
- Need help sweetening their inner dialogue
It harmonises formulas and people. It reminds you to be as gentle with yourself as you are with others.
🧒 Child-Friendly Use
✅ Yes, with caution and proper dosing
- Used for sore throats, dry coughs, and tummy aches
- Choose deglycyrrhizinated (DGL) licorice for safer long-term use in kids
⚠️ Contraindications
⚠ Licorice Root (with glycyrrhizin) can raise blood pressure if taken in large amounts or over long periods
⚠ Avoid with hypertension, kidney issues, or during pregnancy unless advised
⚠ May interact with corticosteroids, diuretics, and some heart meds
⚠ DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) is a gentler alternative for gut support
🧪 Dosage & Preparation
🌼 Tea/Infusion: 1 tsp dried root per cup, simmer 10–15 min, 1–2x daily
🌼 Tincture: 10–30 drops of 1:5 extract, up to 2x daily
🌼 Powder: 1–3g daily in capsules or mixed into food
🌼 DGL tablets: 380mg 2–3x daily before meals for gut support
🛒 Shop This Herb: Coming soon — Licorice Root blends, throat-soothing teas, and adrenal tonic formulas crafted with care. Sign up to get early access 🍬
🔮 Daz’s Diagnosis
Licorice Root is like that friend who always checks in, knows when you’re spiralling, and shows up with something warm and sweet in hand.
It doesn’t demand change — it just supports you back into balance when you’ve been running on empty. Whether you’re dealing with heartbreak, burnout, or gut irritation, Licorice has your back.
It's your herbal peace treaty — between your body, mind, and spirit.
Disclaimer: The information shared in these plant profiles is intended for educational and inspirational purposes only. The uses and properties described are based on traditional knowledge, folk practices, and historical sources. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner or clinical herbalist before using any herbs, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, on medication, or managing a health condition.
