Glycyrrhiza aspera
Glycyrrhiza aspera, commonly known as wild licorice, is a resilient perennial herb valued for its potent medicinal properties. Native to various arid regions, its roots contain bioactive compounds used to soothe digestive issues, reduce inflammation, and alleviate respiratory discomfort. This versatile plant remains a cornerstone in traditional herbal medicine.
- Scientific name: Glycyrrhiza aspera
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae and is identified by the genus Glycyrrhiza. Specifically, it is known as the species Glycyrrhiza aspera.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Glycyrrhiza | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Glycyrrhiza aspera, is referred to by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Chinese, it is identified as 粗毛甘草 (including the simplified forms 粗毛甘草 and 粗毛甘草), while in Arabic, it is called عرقسوس خشن السويق. Additionally, in Kazakh, the species is known as Бұдыр мия.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 粗毛甘草 | Wikidata |
| ar | عرقسوس خشن السويق | Wikidata |
| kk | Бұдыр мия | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 粗毛甘草 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 粗毛甘草 | Wikidata |
| zh | 山小橘 | Wikidata |
| zh | 大叶甘草 | Wikidata |
| zh | 紫花甘草 | Wikidata |
| zh | 垂花甘草 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across the diverse landscapes of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In the European region, its presence is specifically noted within South European Russia. Moving into Central Asia, the species has a significant range that includes Kazakhstan. It is also widely found throughout the mountainous and arid terrains of Kirgizstan and Turkmenistan. Finally, the geographical reach of this medicinal plant extends into the territory of Tadzhikistan.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Europe | South European Russia | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Kazakhstan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Kirgizstan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Turkmenistan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Tadzhikistan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Uzbekistan | WCVP |
| Caucasus | North Caucasus | WCVP |
| Caucasus | Transcaucasus | WCVP |
| Western Asia | Afghanistan | WCVP |
| Western Asia | Iran | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Glycyrrhiza aspera, is valued primarily for its medicinal properties which are concentrated within its roots. These underground structures serve as the main source of bioactive compounds, providing the characteristic sweetness and therapeutic benefits associated with the species. In traditional herbal practices, the roots are harvested, dried, and processed to be used in various formulations to address various ailments.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Glycyrrhiza aspera has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antitumor, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Glycyrrhiza aspera has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Helicobacter pylori.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Helicobacter pylori | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |