Understanding the True Licorice Plant
The plant most commonly known as licorice is Glycyrrhiza glabra, a perennial herb in the pea family (Fabaceae) native to parts of Europe and Asia. For thousands of years, this plant has been used for its medicinal properties and as a natural sweetener, owing its characteristic taste to the compound glycyrrhizin. The edible part of Glycyrrhiza glabra is exclusively its subterranean root and rhizomes, not the above-ground leaves, stems, or flowers. These roots can be harvested after a few years of growth and must be properly processed before consumption.
Is the Entire Glycyrrhiza glabra Plant Edible?
No, only the root and rhizome of Glycyrrhiza glabra are used for culinary and medicinal purposes. While the leaves and stems are not toxic in the same way as some ornamental plants, they do not contain the sweet compounds found in the roots and are generally not consumed. Attempting to consume parts other than the root is not recommended and provides no benefit. The concentration of glycyrrhizin is highest and most potent in the root system.
How to Safely Consume Licorice Root
Before consuming true licorice root, it is crucial to process it safely and be mindful of the dosage. Excessive intake of glycyrrhizin can lead to serious health issues, such as elevated blood pressure, low potassium levels, and irregular heartbeat.
Common methods for consuming licorice root include:
- Herbal Tea: Steeping pieces of dried licorice root in hot water is a popular way to enjoy its flavor and medicinal properties. This is a milder form of consumption than concentrated extracts.
- Powder: The dried root can be ground into a powder and used in baking or as a flavoring. This allows for more precise measurement of intake.
- Extracts and Supplements: Available in capsules, tinctures, and lozenges, these products can have very high concentrations of glycyrrhizin. The deglycyrrhizinated (DGL) form is also available, which removes the compound responsible for most side effects.
- Chewing: Historically, the fresh root was chewed directly as a mouth freshener or sweet treat. However, this uncontrolled method can make it easy to consume too much glycyrrhizin.
Distinguishing True Licorice from Ornamental Lookalikes
The biggest risk in consuming "licorice plants" comes from mistaken identity. The ornamental plant often sold in garden centers as "licorice plant" is Helichrysum petiolare, which is inedible despite its licorice-like aroma.
The Inedible Helichrysum petiolare
Helichrysum petiolare is a decorative trailing plant known for its velvety, silvery-gray leaves. It is used in hanging baskets and garden beds for its texture and appearance. It produces small, insignificant flowers. The key differentiator is that it is grown for its foliage, not its root, and it is not safe to eat. Its scent is where the resemblance ends, and its ingestion could lead to discomfort or illness.
Other Plants with a Licorice Aroma
Several other plants have a licorice-like flavor or aroma but are not related to Glycyrrhiza glabra:
- Anise (Pimpinella anisum): Often used to flavor black licorice candy, this plant is entirely different from the true licorice plant.
- Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): Both the bulb and fronds of this plant are edible and share a similar anise flavor.
- Licorice Mint (Agastache foeniculum): An edible herb, but care should be taken with its consumption and it is not a substitute for true licorice root.
Potential Health Benefits of Licorice Root
Used traditionally across many cultures, the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra is associated with several health benefits. These are typically achieved through controlled consumption of processed root or extracts.
- Digestive Health: Licorice has been used to soothe stomach ulcers, acid reflux, and heartburn.
- Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties: The active compounds, including glycyrrhizin, have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
- Respiratory Support: Used as an expectorant to help clear mucus and relieve coughs.
Critical Risks and Who Should Avoid Licorice
Despite its benefits, the glycyrrhizin in licorice root can cause serious health complications if consumed in large amounts or over prolonged periods. Chronic toxicity is a greater risk than acute poisoning for most.
High-risk individuals who should avoid or severely limit licorice intake include:
- Pregnant Women: High intake of licorice is unsafe and can increase the risk of early delivery.
- Individuals with Heart Conditions: Licorice can cause the body to retain water, leading to elevated blood pressure and irregular heartbeat, which can worsen heart failure.
- People with High Blood Pressure: Because licorice can raise blood pressure, it can counteract the effects of medication and pose a serious risk.
- People with Low Potassium Levels (Hypokalemia): Licorice lowers potassium levels, which is dangerous for those already deficient.
- Individuals with Kidney or Liver Disease: Excessive licorice consumption can make kidney disease worse.
- Those on Certain Medications: Licorice can interact with medications like diuretics, blood thinners (warfarin), and certain corticosteroids.
Identifying Different Licorice-Flavored Plants
To prevent confusion and potential health risks, this table highlights the key differences between the true licorice plant and other plants that share its name or flavor profile.
| Feature | True Licorice Plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra) | Ornamental "Licorice Plant" (Helichrysum petiolare) | Anise (Pimpinella anisum) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edible Parts | Root and rhizome only | None | Seeds and leaves |
| Appearance | Herbaceous perennial, purple-to-whitish-blue flowers, pinnate leaves | Trailing perennial, silvery-gray, velvety leaves, inconspicuous flowers | Annual herb, fine feathery leaves, white flowers |
| Flavor Source | Glycyrrhizin in the root | None (aroma only) | Anethole in the seeds |
| Safety | Edible in moderation, high doses of glycyrrhizin are toxic | Inedible, grown for ornamental foliage | Edible, generally safe when used for flavoring |
Conclusion
While the root of the true licorice plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is indeed edible and has a long history of culinary and medicinal use, the answer to "Can you eat licorice plants?" is complex. It is crucial to correctly identify the plant, as the commonly named ornamental "licorice plant" (Helichrysum petiolare) is inedible. The entire true licorice plant is not edible; only the root and rhizome are used. Furthermore, due to the potency of the compound glycyrrhizin, consumption should always be done in moderation and is not safe for high-risk groups, including pregnant individuals and those with certain health conditions. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using licorice root for medicinal purposes. For more information on the safety of licorice root, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health offers valuable resources.
