special subjects
Licorice
Introduction
Natural licorice, which has a very sweet taste, is extracted from the root of a shrub (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and used medicinally as a capsule, tablet, or liquid extract. Most licorice candy made in the US is flavored artificially and does not contain natural licorice. Glycyrrhizin is the active ingredient in natural licorice. For people who are particularly sensitive to the effects of glycyrrhizin, specially treated licorice products that contain a much lower amount of glycyrrhizin (about one tenth) are available. These products are called deglycyrrhizinated licorice. (See also Overview of Dietary Supplements and 