History of many ayurvedic roots and herbs span across the worlds, not just India, but many middle eastern countries and east Asian countries also have been using them for a very long time. Many of these ayurvedic natural remedies have been available to use in our homes. One of these herbs is known as licorice root according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health the use of this root has been traced back to ancient Assyrian, Egyptian, Greek, Arab, Chinese, Tibetan, and Indian cultures. Its traditional medicinal used included practices like coughing, asthma and wound healing as well as other diseases that affect the lungs liver and arteries. While there are dietary supplements of licorice roots that help our digestion, respiration as well as energy, there are also topical versions that can be applied to the skin for certain conditions. What Are Its Benefits? Using a licorice mouthwash or gargle might help make canker sores smaller and less painful for people who get them often. Putting licorice directly on the sore might only help it shrink. One study showed that using licorice with regular canker sore medicine worked better than just the medicine. Gargling with licorice or using licorice candies before surgery might help stop or make a sore throat after surgery less bad.Some early signs suggest that gels with licorice root might help with eczema or healing burns on the skin. But we need more research to know for sure if they work and if they are safe to use. One early study found that mouthwash with licorice might make bad breath better and get rid of some of the germs that cause it. We don't really know if using just licorice (not mixed with other herbs) helps with tummy problems. Are Licorice Roots Safe For Consumption? Licorice root is usually okay to eat as part of food. However, licorice has something in it called glycyrrhizin. If you eat a lot of it or use it for a long time, it can cause serious problems like your heart beating wrong or even stopping. Even a little bit of glycyrrhizin in licorice stuff has been linked to bad problems for people who eat a lot of salt, have high blood pressure, or have heart or kidney issues. Putting licorice root on your skin might be safe for a short time, but it could make some people's skin irritated. It could also mess with some medicines called corticosteroids. Some Things To Keep In Consideration Eating a lot of licorice extract (like 250 grams a week) when you're pregnant is not safe and can make you give birth too early. We don't know much about whether it's safe to use licorice when you're breastfeeding. Unlike drugs, dietary supplements don't need to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they are sold. However, if there are health worries about a supplement or an herb in it, the government can step in to protect people. The companies that make and sell supplements are responsible for making sure their products are safe and labeled correctly.