Licorice (scientific name: Glycyrrhiza glabra), which is called Mahk in Persian, is a plant of the genus Glycyrrhiza, native to southern Europe, northern Africa and temperate regions of Asia. In most parts of Iran, especially in the city of Khatam Marvast and the eastern and northeastern regions, as well as Azerbaijan, the Bakhtiari mountain range and the city of Eghlid are abundant. Its leaves are compound that are sticky due to the secretion of sap. Its flowers are bluish and its fruit contains 5 to 6 brownish seeds. Its roots and stems are used medicinally. The height of this plant reaches up to one meter and in temperate areas up to two meters. Its slender leaves are 7 to 15 cm long and contain 9 to 17 leaflets. The leaflets are oval and the sides are smooth. The flowers of this plant are yellow or purple or bluish-white. Flowering time is early summer. The fruit of this plant is pods and rectangles 2 to 3 cm long and usually each fruit has 3 to 6 bean-shaped seeds.
The licorice plant needs warm air and enough sun during its growth. The root of this plant is widely spread in sandy soils with high thickness and its yield is also increased. Licorice grows at a temperature of 6 to 25 degrees Celsius. It is a light-loving plant. This plant needs enough water, nutrients and nutrients. Sufficient water must be supplied to the plant during the flowering stage. Sandy soils with thick soil layers and rich in calcium should be used for planting.
Early spring (April-May) is a good time to planting seeds in open air (Indirect cultivation). Plants start growing in mid-spring. Licorice growth is slow in the first year. The best time to harvest roots is in the fall after the upper parts have dried due to cold weather
Licorice root extract contains amounts of glucose, sucrose, asparagine, albumin, resin and essential oil and has many uses in medicine, pharmacy and food and health industries.
The most important healing properties of the roots of this plant are: laxative, expectorant, diuretic, treating gastric and duodenal ulcers, effective in treating respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and Inflammation of the trachea, Slimming and weight loss, Treat acne and pimples, etc. In pharmacy, root extracts are widely used to sweeten the taste of medicines.
Instruction:
Heat 10 grams of licorice in 250 cc of cold water until it boils, after boiling for 5 minutes, leave for 12 hours, then liquidize it and drink it several times overnight for a week.
In Europe, licorice candies are made with a strong taste, which is also very popular. Of course, it should be said that the taste of most of these snacks is provided with anise seed oil (Roman anise) and the actual amount of licorice in them is very low.
Licorice extract is used in the preparation of non-alcoholic beverages.
Italians like to use licorice naturally, chewing the roots of this plant as a mouthwash after rinsing.
In Chinese cuisine, licorice, like other condiments, is used in cooking and is often used to flavor soups.
Licorice is also very popular in Syria and is marketed as a beverage.