Licorice - Various natural actives in Licorice

Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) or licorice is also Known as Madhuka or Yashti-madhu in Ayurveda. The root of Glycyrrhiza glabra is known for its ability to impart sweet taste to various formulations. Licorice extract is useful in digestive and oral care applications. It has been traditionally used for it cough suppressant activity, anti inflammatory (tooth paste, mouth washes), digestive candies and arterial pressure pending on the type of extracts.
Licorice leads to many products extracted from the root: sweetener (glycyrrhizin salt, especially mono ammonium), anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer (GLA-18 beta, enoxolone, carbenoxolone), whiteners / glow (glabridin), aid in digestion and against ulcers, anti-asthma, treatment of fevers and colds.
Glycyrrhizic acid (= glycyrrhizinic acid, = glycyrrhizin) is an active substance (saponin) in licorice. It is a heteroside, poorly soluble in water, mainly known for its sweet taste, hence its use as a sweetener. Glycyrrhizin can cause high blood pressure by inhibiting an enzyme, reason why some products are guaranteed to be low in glycyrrhizic acid.