Licorice Root
Licorice root is one of the world’s oldest types of medicinal herbs. It is the root of the licorice plant, which is native to Western Asia and Southern Europe. Licorice has been traditionally used to add flavor to drinks and candies, as well as to add taste to medicines when used to treat different kinds of ailments. These ailments include stomachaches, inflammation, heartburn, acid reflux, hot flashes, and upper respiratory problems.
The important component of licorice root is glycyrrhizin, the compound responsible for the sweet taste of licorice root. This also gives licorice root its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. As such, consuming licorice root can help alleviate the pain due to sore throat.
Licorice root can be taken as a tea, capsule, or other herbal infusions and can even be used as a topical gel. Licorice tea can be prepared at home by mixing ground licorice root with hot water. Steep it for at least five minutes, strain, then drink. The tea bag form can also be bought instead. However, extreme caution is advised since consuming licorice root remedies may not be safe and ideal for pregnant or nursing women.
