Licorice Tea
A Unique Treat
Commonly thought of as a flavoring in cooking, or even as a sweet to be enjoyed after meals, licorice is a root that grows throughout the Mediterranean and Asia. It has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal properties as well as for its unique taste, and is currently becoming more fashionable in the Western world. Licorice tea is one way to enjoy both sides of the plant, getting a dose of the unique flavor as well as the health benefits. Licorice is sweet on its own, and is one of the most popular flavors of herbal tea among young children, who can also benefit from its consumption.
Some of the documented benefits of licorice tea included a faster healing of ulcers in the stomach, improved digestion, and headache reduction. It can also be useful in fighting boils and diarrhea or other intestinal problems, soothing a sore throat, and fighting dehydration. Some evidence now suggests that it may help the body fight off fevers and infections by increasing the production of interferon, a key component of the immune system that is necessary for speedy treatment and dispatch of viruses and bacteria that have taken hold in the body.
The plant grows naturally throughout the world, most frequently seen in Greece, Italy, Spain, China, Iraq, and Syria. You can use the root as well as the herb that grows from it when you are preparing licorice tea, although the root is more highly prized due to its high concentration of sweet compounds that are ideal for cooking purposes. The tea can be enjoyed hot or iced, with a variety of different flavor components added to it. You can drink it on its own, or sweeten it further for a more intense licorice flavor.
Many people choose to mix their licorice tea with green or white tea, as this can increase the health benefits by adding antioxidants to the regular mix. However, for the pure flavor of plain licorice, you could look for teabags that don't have anything else added to them, and then try each cup with a different flavoring or sweetener just to see what your own personal preferences are. You can also prepare the tea with the dried root on your own, which is sold in bulk in various health food shops. To help aid digestion and boost the immune system, it's recommended to drink at least two cups of the tea per day.