Tea - Licorice Root
You might be hard pressed to believe that this tangled mess is edible - but indeed it is. These are dried Licorice (or Liquorice) roots and are used to make tea.
The health properties associated with Licorice are well documented - it contains a natural expectorant so it can help soothe coughs and colds; it offers digestive relief by decreasing the amount of stomach acid and can help reduce stress and anxiety.
However, there are concerns with taking licorice in large doses or on a frequent basis as it can cause blood pressure to rise - if you have high blood pressure or are pregnant you should probably give it a miss but always check with your doctor to make sure.
If you are feeling a bit queasy or perhaps a cold is coming on, then a soothing cup of licorice root tea should make you feel better.
One or Two sticks depending on size is all you need - let them brew for a few minutes before drinking.
You shouldn't expect the commercial licorice flavour that we associate with modern day sweets as they are flavoured using aniseed rather than a product of the licorice plant.
The tea has a more woody, resinous flavouring to begin with which then finishes with a pleasant and distinctive sweetness.
Tea
6 musings:
I only discovered liquorice tea (in a bag) last year and drank lots of it for a while - I took some to work and my office drawer still smells of it - but it is a lovely sweet smell!
May I add that it is also a natural laxative? I found this out by, uh, accident :(
This sounds so soothing---and perfect for me, I have asthma and frequently get brochitis, as well as chronic stomach problems AND low-blood pressure (that's the first time in my life I've ever said those things with such excitement)! Thanks for the info!
Hi Johanna - I wonder if it tastes very different, might check that out!
Hi Anon - from what I've read that is more of an issue if you have too much of it - it can also happen if you have too much licorice sweets.
Hi Robin - hopefully it will help ease those problems.
I do like licorice tea but i find that if you put too much in it can be really quite sickly, especially if you buy a ready-blended mix. I prefer to make it the way you have here - very soothing.
That is good advice Helen!
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