Licorice or liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Leguminosae) is a perennial plant naturally occurring or cultivated in Europe (the Mediterranean) and Asia (especially the central and South-Western parts). It was used in ancient Assyrian, Egyptian, Chinese and Indian cultures and appreciated by ancient Greeks and Romans.

It was appreciated by many ancient cultures and was employed within Arabic medicine and (beginning in the Middle Ages) in Europe folk medicine as a remedy for many diseases.

Currently, the sweet-flavored root of this plant – Radix Glycyrrhizae (Liquirtiae), is widely taken for the treating of various upper respiratory tract diseases, as well as for gastric ulcer disease.

Ulcer Disease

In summary, glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives appear to have promise as active pharmaceutical ingredients that contain a wide range of biological and pharmacological properties.

Studies have shown that glycyrrhetinic acid has many properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-peptic ulcer, and antiviral activities. The anti-inflammatory effect is particularly well known and has been applied to clinical therapy which has been reported that the structure of glycyrrhetinic acid is similar to that of cortisone, a steroid hormone that exerts a strong anti-inflammatory effect.