Licorice was used in ancient Greece, China, and Egypt, primarily for gastritis and ailments of the upper respiratory tract.
It has been used s an expectorant and carminative (antiflatulence agent).
The use of licorice is ancient; the earliest written reference to the use of licorice is the codex Hammurabi, dating from 2100 BC.
Its use dates back thousands of years to ancient Egypt rituals that enabled the spirits of pharaoh to prepare sweet drinks known as mai sus in the afterlife.
Its use became widespread in Europe and Asia for numerous indications.
Licorice was known as Scythian root to the Greek naturalist, Theophrastus (371-287), and he referred in his writing to the ability of licorice to treat asthma and heal wounds.
In his writing in 1st century, licorice was purported to abate hunger and thirst, clear voice, heal sore of the mouth and genitals, and treat kidney and bladder ailments.
It was a legend maintained that Scythian warriors could go for twelve days without drink when supplied with licorice and mare’s milk cheese.
During World War II, the Dutch physician F.E. Revers observed improvements in patients' peptic ulcer disease from a licorice preparation.
He also noted facial and peripheral edema, sparking scientific investigation into licorice's properties and adverse effects.
In the 1950s, there were reports of patients with Addison's disease 'craving' licorice candy, viewed by some as early evidence of steroid modulating properties.
In Chinese medicine, licorice root has ranked as one of the most important and versatile medicines for several thousand years.
While American Indians sued the roots as a cooking spice and often chewed them as a trail snack.
History of Licorice
