Glycyrrhiza glabra
What's the taxonomical classification of Glycyrrhiza glabra?
Glycyrrhiza glabra belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, it is placed in the order Fabales. This plant is a member of the family Fabaceae and falls under the genus Glycyrrhiza, with its specific designation being the species glabra.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Fabales |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Genus | Glycyrrhiza |
| Species | glabra |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Glycyrrhiza glabra has a perennial growth habit characterized by a thick, woody rhizome that spreads horizontally underground. This plant produces erect, branched stems that can reach heights of up to one meter and are covered in fine, spreading hairs. The leaves are pinnately compound, typically consisting of seven to seventeen small, oval-shaped leaflets arranged along a central axis. Small, papilionaceous flowers appear in clusters, displaying colors that range from pale violet to bluish-white. The resulting legume pods are elongated and contain numerous small, brownish seeds.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the Mediterranean region, Central Asia, and parts of the Middle East, extending from Southern Europe through Iran and into Northern China. It thrives in diverse environments ranging from arid steppes to fertile river valleys where the soil is well-drained. Many species have been naturalized in other parts of the world, including North America and Australia, through intentional cultivation. The plant's ability to tolerate various climates has allowed it to spread beyond its original historical range. Its distribution is closely tied to specific soil compositions and sunlight requirements found in these semi-arid zones.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant Glycyrrhiza glabra requires well-drained, sandy loam soil with a pH between 5.5 and 8.0 and full sun exposure to thrive.
It is a perennial legume that benefits from deep planting to accommodate its extensive taproot system. Farmers typically sow the seeds in early spring once the soil temperature has stabilized. Regular irrigation is necessary during the growing season, though the crop is relatively drought-tolerant once established.
Harvesting usually occurs in the autumn when the roots have reached maximum potency and size.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant, Glycyrrhiza glabra, is utilized medicinally through its roots, rhizomes, aerial parts, leaves, and seeds. The dried roots and rhizomes are commonly referred to as Glycyrrhizae Radix and contain high concentrations of glycyrrhizin for treating inflammation and digestive issues. Beyond the underground structures, the aerial parts of the plant are also harvested for various therapeutic applications. Both the leaf and the seed contribute unique chemical compounds that support different medicinal purposes. Together, these diverse components provide a comprehensive range of bioactive substances used in traditional and modern pharmacology.
According to a study published by "Journal of veterinary medicine. B, Infectious diseases and veterinary public health", the medicinal part of Glycyrrhiza glabra used in the herbal complex was the radix. This radix was included in a complex consisting of 1 specific part from this plant alongside 7 other herbal components. The study evaluated a liquid and a powder made from this complex against Eimeria tenella infection in chickens. While the study focused on the effectiveness of the whole complex, the Glycyrrhizae Radix was a key constituent among the 8 total parts used.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- Glycyrrhizae Radix
- Rhizoime
- aerial parts
- leaf
- seed
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Glycyrrhiza glabra, has been utilized for millennia across diverse medical traditions including Ayurveda, Jamu, Kampo, Persian ethnomedicine, and Unani to treat respiratory, digestive, and inflammatory conditions. In the Ayurvedic system of India, it is valued as a cooling agent to balance bodily humors. Practitioners of Jamu in Indonesia and Kampo in Japan incorporate its roots into complex herbal formulas for systemic healing. Persian ethnomedicine and the Unani system also rely heavily on its properties to soothe mucous membranes and reduce internal heat. These varied historical applications demonstrate a global consensus on the plant's potent therapeutic capabilities.
According to a study published by "Phytotherapy research : PTR", the rhizome of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. is used very widely in Indian and Chinese traditional medicine. This plant serves as a popular flavor ingredient for various drinks, sweets and candies. Its medicinal uses involve treating conditions such as bronchitis, dry cough, respiratory infections, liver disorders and diabetes. In terms of enzyme interaction, the pooled microsomes showed a percentage inhibition of 23.23 ± 1.84% in the CYP450-CO assay. The study also noted that G. glabra extracts showed higher IC50 values than the positive inhibitors ketoconazole and quinidine for CYP3A4 and CYP2D6. Overall, the plant and its principle bioactive compound, glycyrrhizin, showed only a weak interaction potential with drug metabolizing enzymes.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Ayurveda
- Jamu
- Kampo
- Persian ethnomedicine
- Unani
What are the pharmacological activities of Glycyrrhiza glabra?
This plant has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-ulcer, anti-viral, and hepatoprotective pharmacological activities driven primarily by its bioactive compounds like glycyrrhizin. Its potent anti-inflammatory properties help reduce swelling and pain by inhibiting specific inflammatory mediators in the body. The antioxidant effects protect cells from oxidative stress, while its anti-ulcer capabilities assist in healing gastric mucosal linings. Furthermore, the plant demonstrates anti-viral potential against various pathogens and provides hepatoprotective benefits by shielding the liver from chemical or toxic damage.
According to a study published by "Journal of microbiology (Seoul, Korea)", Glycyrrhiza glabra contains glycyrrhizic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid, which are known for their anti-inflammaroty, anti-oxidant, and hypoglycemic pharmacological activities. Derivatives of these substances were used to demonstrate strong inhibition of NO release at 36.3% for low-dose MG compared to the model. The study also observed transcriptional downregulation of tumor necrosis factor-α at 72.2%, interleukin-6 at 58.3%, and interleukin-1β at 76.4% in low-dose MG versus the model. These activities help alleviate inflammatory responses through the NF-κB pathway in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. The process involved a final molar yield of 88.3% from 5 g/L glycyrrhizic acid.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-inflammatorory
- anti-oxidant
- anti-ulcer
- anti-viral
- hepatoprotective
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains the primary bioactive compound glycyrrhizin, along with glabridin, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, and glycyrrhiziic acid. Glycyrrhizin is responsible for the characteristic intense sweetness of the root and possesses significant anti-inflammatory properties. Glabridin is a potent antioxidant frequently studied for its potential skin-lightening and anti-aging effects. The flavonoids liquiritigenin and isoliquiritigenin contribute to the plant's overall medicinal profile through their various biological activities. Finally, glycyrrhiziic acid plays a crucial role in the complex chemical structure of the plant's saponin components.
According to a study published by "Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan", HPLC profile analysis was performed to determine index compounds of MeOH extracts of aerial parts and EtOAc extracts of subterranean parts of Glycyrrhiza glabra. The study compared glycyrrhizin contents and growth rates of the underground parts of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Glycyrrhiza uralensis to select 4 excellent types as candidates for cultivation. Alkaloidal constituents of Glycyrrhiza glabra were investigated to obtain anabasine and a new tricyclic alkaloid.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Glycyrrhizin
- Glabridin
- Liquiritigenin
- Isoliquiritigenin
- Glycyrrhizic acid
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating asthma, gastric ulcers, inflammation, liver diseases, and wound healing. Its active compounds work to soothe irritated respiratory airways and reduce swelling throughout the body. When applied to the digestive system, it helps protect the stomach lining and promotes the repair of gastric ulcers. The plant also supports hepatic function to manage various liver diseases and stimulates cellular regeneration to assist in wound healing. These diverse medicinal properties make it a versatile component in traditional herbal remedies.
According to a study published by "Heliyon", Glycyrrhiza glabra, specifically its dried roots known as Radix Glycyrrhizae, is used for relieving respiratory problems such as coughs, sore throats, bronchitis, and asthma. The plant contains significant amounts of flavonoids and saponins that contribute to its therapeutic effects. Research involving frequency-dependent dielectric spectroscopic analysis explored the extract across various ranges, including 5 MHz-20 GHz and 4 Hz-5 MHz. These studies utilized an Agilent vector network analyzer and a Hioki impedance analyzer to measure the dielectric constant and loss factor. The antioxidant activity of the Glycyrrhiza glabra decoction showed radical scavenging activity similar to gallic acid in DPPH assays.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- 1. asthma
- 2. gastric ulcers
- 3. inflammation
- 4. liver diseases
- 5. wound healing
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is Glycyrrhiza glabra, a species used to produce various medicinal herbal preparations including Glycyrrhizae Radix, Shaoyao-Gancao-Tang, deglycyrrhizinized succus, compound liquorice tablets, and decoctions. The dried root, known as Glycyrrhizae Radix, serves as a foundational ingredient in traditional formulations to harmonize other herbs. Shaoyao-Gancao-Tang is a specific classical formula that utilizes the plant to relieve spasms and alleviate pain. For patients sensitive to glycyrrhizin, deglycyrrhizinized succus provides a safer alternative by removing the compound responsible for potential side effects. Additionally, the plant is processed into convenient compound liquorice tablets and traditional aqueous decoctions for diverse therapeutic applications.
According to a study published by "Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin", a new fuzzy immunoassay method was studied and applied to ten Glycyrrhizae Radix (GR) preparations of four different botanical origins. Four kinds of antisera were elicited in rabbits immunized with GRs of different botanical origins. The presence of the characteristic GR protein (GRP) was shown using Western blot analyses and selected antibody enzyme immunoassay (SAEIA) methods. A GRP was isolated from one of the GR specimens which was selected using SAEIA methods. This new fuzzy SAEIA method was developed using heat-treated GRP as the solid-phase antigen to allow for the detection and quantitative analysis of the GR component.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Glycyrrhizae Radix
- Shaoyao-Gancao-Tang
- deglycyrrhizinized succus
- compound liquorice tablets
- decoctions
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause serious physiological complications such as hypertension, hypokalemia, edema, muscle weakness, nausea, palpitations, diuresis, dizziness, confusion, and insomnia. Excessive consumption of its active compounds can trigger significant fluid retention and elevated blood pressure. These changes often lead to a dangerous drop in potassium levels, which may manifest as muscle weakness and irregular heart palpitations. Patients may also experience gastrointestinal distress like nausea or neurological symptoms including dizziness, confusion, and insomnia. Such systemic effects are frequently linked to the plant's influence on electrolyte balance and renal function.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- Hypertension
- Hypokalemia
- Edema
- Muscle weakness
- Nausea
- Palpitations
- Diuresis
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Insomnia
What herbs are paired with Glycyrrhiza glabra?
This plant, known as licorice, pairs most effectively with ginger, chamomile, peppermint, and fennel to enhance its natural sweetness and therapeutic properties.
When combined with warming herbs like ginger or cinnamon, it helps soothe digestive discomfort and eases respiratory congestion. Pairing it with calming botanicals such as chamomile or lemon balm can create a restorative tea for stress relief. Its strong flavor profile also serves as an excellent natural sweetener for more bitter herbs like dandelion root or burdock.
These strategic combinations allow herbalists to balance the intense sweetness of the root while maximizing its medicinal benefits.