What Is Licorice Extract Used For?

Licorice is a popular candy as well as a popular flavoring for various types of liquors and even cough drops.  The licorice flavoring comes from a type of shrub that can often grow to about five or six feet tall and that is found mainly in areas of the Middle East and southern Europe, as well as in China and other tropical areas.  What most people do not know, however, is that licorice extract has a number of different uses and it has been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes.

So, what is licorice extract used for?  Some of the uses for licorice extract include:

• The treatment of various ailments. Historically, licorice extract was used for treating colds and respiratory ailments and even for use in healing injuries.  Licorice extract is still used to some extent, even in modern medicine.
• Cooking, both in candies and cookies as well as in a variety of other foods.

Let's look in more detail at some of these answers to what licorice extract is used for.

Licorice Extract and Cooking

One use of licorice extract is, and has always been, in cooking. 

• Any time that you wish to add an anise or licorice flavor to something, whether it might be candies, cookies, or other meals, you can accomplish this goal by using licorice extract. 
• Many candies in various countries, such as salmiakki in Finland and Denmark, and licorice whips and licorice pipes in Europe and America, are flavored with licorice extract, as are different types of cookies and cakes. 
• There are even licorice flavored alcoholic beverages, such as Pernod, Ouzo, and anisette. 

Licorice Extract and Medicine

While we know now what licorice extract is used for in cooking, there are also other uses for licorice extract that extend beyond simply pleasing the palette:

• Licorice extract has been used throughout history to prevent and treat a number of different disorders. 
• It was believed for many years that licorice and the licorice plant could help with respiratory problems such as asthma or emphysema. 
• In addition, licorice extract can be used as a topical antibacterial for open cuts and sores, or to treat wounds that are not healing properly. 
• Licorice has also long been known for its ability to help speed recovery from colds and flu symptoms. 

In addition to these benefits, some believe that licorice root and licorice extract may also be able to do a great deal more:

• Licorice extract may have anti-viral properties, and can potentially be used to help fight HIV, cancer, SARS, and encephalitis.  These are some of the worst viruses and medical conditions known to man in the present day. 
• In addition to showing promising laboratory results in combating these disorders, licorice extract has shown the ability to shrink tumors in laboratory animals, as well as the ability to help with intestinal and other parasite infections. 

All of these effects are still being tested; so, while it is important to understand that these are some of the things that are listed as potential uses for licorice extract and/or licorice root, you should not decide to take licorice or any other medicine or supplement for a medical problem without first speaking to your doctor.