Herb of the Week: Licorice

Scientific Name: Glycyrrhiza glabra

Also known as: Sweet Root, Liquorice Root, or Gan Cao

Licorice is a beloved and powerful herb known for its naturally sweet flavor and deeply restorative properties. Also called Sweet Root, Liquorice Root, or Gan Cao in Traditional Chinese Medicine, licorice has been used for thousands of years across Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Ayurvedic, and Chinese traditions. Beyond candy and confections, licorice root is a profound ally for the lungs, digestion, adrenal system, and spiritual harmony.

Folklore & Magic of

In ancient Egypt, licorice was brewed into sacred drinks for the pharaohs and placed in tombs to sustain the soul in the afterlife. Greek physicians praised it for soothing the throat and increasing endurance, while in Chinese folklore, licorice was seen as the great harmonizer, capable of balancing and enhancing the effects of other herbs.

Magickally, licorice has long been associated with sweetening situations, strengthening personal power, and restoring balance. It was often carried to attract favor, enhance persuasion, and protect one’s energy during times of stress or depletion.

Magickal Uses:

• Sweetening spells and rituals to improve relationships or outcomes

• Enhancing personal power, confidence, and influence

• Supporting spellwork for healing, vitality, and resilience

• Promoting harmony and balance in group or family dynamics

• Protecting energy during emotional or spiritual exhaustion

Symbolism

• Sweetness: Represents attraction, kindness, and the ability to draw favorable outcomes

• Harmony: Symbolizes balance between opposing forces and unity within complexity

• Endurance: Reflects resilience, stamina, and long-term strength

• Protection: Associated with guarding one’s energy and restoring inner reserves

  
  

Licorice in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Known as Gan Cao, licorice is one of the most commonly used herbs in TCM and appears in the majority of herbal formulas.

Energetics:

• Taste: Sweet

• Temperature: Neutral (raw) to warm (dry-fried)

• Meridians Entered: Heart, Lung, Spleen, Stomach

Medicinal Benefits of Licorice

Licorice root is rich in glycyrrhizin, flavonoids, and saponins, contributing to its wide-ranging benefits.

Common Uses Include:

• Soothing sore throats, coughs, and bronchial irritation

• Supporting digestive health and easing ulcers or acid imbalance

• Nourishing and supporting adrenal function during stress

• Reducing inflammation and supporting immune health

• Assisting with hormonal balance and liver support

  
  

Nutritionally, licorice provides antioxidant compounds that help protect cells from oxidative stress.

Lesson:

Licorice teaches us that true power does not always come from force. Sometimes it is sweetness, balance, and adaptability that create the most lasting change. Like licorice, we are reminded that harmonizing our inner systems allows us to endure, heal, and thrive, even during long seasons of challenge.

Licorice invites us to soften where we’ve hardened, restore where we’ve depleted, and trust that balance is a form of strength. Whether used medicinally, magickally, or spiritually, this ancient root reminds us that sweetness can be deeply powerful.

⚠️ Disclaimer & Safety

This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Potential Allergies & Medical Considerations:

• Avoid long-term or high-dose use if you have high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart conditions, or low potassium levels

• Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding unless guided by a qualified practitioner

• May interact with diuretics, corticosteroids, blood pressure medications, and heart medications

• Discontinue use if headaches, swelling, or increased blood pressure occur

  
  

Always consult a qualified healthcare provider or clinical herbalist before beginning any new herbal regimen.

✨ Want to dive deeper into the healing power of herbs? Explore more in our Herb of the Week series, featuring wisdom from the Healing Plants Oracle Deck, illustrated by pioneering herbalist Elizabeth Blackwell.