Seedman's Licorice Seeds

Licorice Seeds

Licorice is a wonderful plant that has many uses.
It is in flower from Jun to July. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.
A good plant to grow around the perimeter of the garden as it can fix nitrogen into the soil and it attracts bees.

Uses: Root can be chewed raw or used as a flavouring. The source of liquorice powder that is extracted and used in sweets, baked goods, ice cream, soft drinks etc, it is also used medicinally.
It has a sweet and delicious flavor, but the root is very fibrous. The root contains glycyrrhizin, a substance that is 50 times sweeter than sucrose.
The dried root is often used for chewing, it is excellent for teething children and also as a tooth cleaner.
A tea made from the roots is an excellent thirst quencher.
The powdered root is also used as a sweetener in other herb teas. The leaves are used as a tea substitute in Mongolia.

Useful gardening information

Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Links to useful information on the web:

SF099 Licorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra )

A tender perennial, hardy for zones 7-10, zone 6 if mulched heavily. The source of most commercial licorice used in the making of candy, liquor, and as a sweetner for herb tea. Root is up to 24% glycyrrhizin, which is 50 times sweeter than sugar. Harvest roots in the third or fourth year.
Extracts flavour tobacco, beer, soft drinks and pharmaceutical products. Powerful anti-inflammatory properties effective for arthritis, gastritis, canker sores. Also a mild laxative. 3 year old roots are harvested in the autumn.
Used for flavoring and medicine.
Medicinal: For throat, stomach, urinary, and intestinal irritations. Energy and hormonal balancing.

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