Licorice Root
Glycyrrhiza glabra

This sweet and powerful thirst-quencher has been used in many cultures for a very long time. In the 3rd century B.C., Hippocrates recommended licorice root for coughs and other respiratory complaints. He called it "glukos riza" or "sweet root." Licorice is fifty times sweeter than sugar, making it a popular flavoring in candy and medicine. Chinese licorice, or "gan cao," has been popular for 5,000 years in China, where it is sometimes called "the grandfather of herbs." Tea or lozenges made from licorice root can soothe your sore throat and quiet an annoying cough. Licorice should not be used by people with high blood pressure, though, since it can cause sodium retention and potassium loss when taken in large quantities.

Commonly called: licorce root