Glycyrrhiza glabra
Liquorice
Glycyrrhiza glabra, commonly known as licorice, is a perennial legume celebrated in traditional medicine for centuries. Renowned for its sweet, distinctive root, it possesses powerful anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and soothing properties. Widely used to treat digestive issues and respiratory ailments, this versatile botanical remains a cornerstone of herbal pharmacology.
- Scientific name: Glycyrrhiza glabra
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Glycyrrhiza glabra, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is situated within the genus Glycyrrhiza.
| 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 glabra, is recognized by various local names across different regions and languages. In German-speaking areas, it is referred to as Bärndreck, while in Arabic and its related dialects, such as Egyptian Arabic, it is commonly called عرقسوس or عرقسوس. In Azerbaijani, the plant is known as Şirinbiyan, and in Bashkir, it is identified as Татлы тамыр.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| bar | Bärndreck | Wikidata |
| ar | عرقسوس | Wikidata |
| arz | عرقسوس | Wikidata |
| az | Şirinbiyan | Wikidata |
| ba | Татлы тамыр | Wikidata |
| bg | женско биле | Wikidata |
| ca | regalèssia | Wikidata |
| cs | lékořice lysá | Wikidata |
| da | Glat Lakrids | Wikidata |
| de | Echtes Süßholz | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across various regions of Middle Europe. Within this part of the continent, it can be found growing in the landscapes of Austria. Its presence extends further into the territories of Czechia and Slovakia. Additionally, the species is documented within the borders of Germany. Finally, its distribution includes the mountainous and lowland areas of Switzerland.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Switzerland | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Sardegna | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Albania | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Glycyrrhiza glabra, is a perennial herb primarily valued for its medicinal properties found within its underground parts. The most significant component is the root, which is harvested and processed to become the well-known licorice root used in various remedies. While the roots contain the highest concentration of glycyrrhizin, the plant also features distinctive green leaves that characterize its visible growth above the soil.- Total parts
- 25
- Scientific sources
- 51
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 19 | ★★★★★ |
| root | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| licorice root | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| underground parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stolon | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| shoots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhizomes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Glycyrrhiza glabra has 270 reported phytochemicals identified across 641 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include glycyrrhizin, glabridin, glycyrrhizic acid, glycyrrhetinic acid, flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 270
- Scientific sources
- 641
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| glycyrrhizin | 58 | ★★★★★ |
| glabridin | 37 | ★★★★★ |
| glycyrrhizic acid | 33 | ★★★★★ |
| glycyrrhetinic acid | 28 | ★★★★★ |
| flavonoids | 22 | ★★★★★ |
| Glycyrrhizin | 20 | ★★★★★ |
| isoliquiritigenin | 18 | ★★★★★ |
| liquiritin | 17 | ★★★★★ |
| liquiritigenin | 16 | ★★★★★ |
| Glycyrrhizic acid | 15 | ★★★★★ |
Activities
Glycyrrhiza glabra has 48 reported activities identified across 144 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiviral, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Hepatoprotective.
- Total activities
- 48
- Scientific sources
- 144
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 25 | ★★★★★ |
| Antiviral | 12 | ★★★★★ |
| Antibacterial | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| Anticancer | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antiallergic | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticarcinogenic | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Glycyrrhiza glabra has 260 reported medicinal uses identified across 442 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include COVID-19, inflammation, hypertension, SARS-CoV-2, cancer.
- Total uses
- 260
- Scientific sources
- 442
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| COVID-19 | 15 | ★★★★★ |
| inflammation | 13 | ★★★★★ |
| hypertension | 12 | ★★★★★ |
| SARS-CoV-2 | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| cancer | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| gastric ulcer | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| oxidative stress | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| liver diseases | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| hypokalemia | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| fibrosis | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |