Jane writes: >>Should I have gotten the Chinese variety for medicinal use?<<
Jane, I can't tell you too much about when to plant this guy, there are better experts here than I, but I can give my two cents about the plant medicinally. Generally, I favour using the herbs from where you are, so American Licorice (glabra) if you are over here. But, in this case, one point to consider is that in some people, Licorice can aggravate hypertension by causing sodium retention, and the Chinese Licorice (uralensis) has less of a tendency to do this than the American you have. I am not of the mindset that there are any inherently dangerous plants, and I don't want to be seen as being on the anti-Licorice (or Comfrey, or Chaparral, or whatever else suddenly becomes "dangerous" according to FDA) bandwagon. Unless your hypertension is severe, most of American Licorice's effects can be balanced out by extra water, potassium (i.e. take it with Dandelion), and moderation of use. But, just so you know, the Chinese does seem to act in a more balanced way at least regarding this issue. I do know that both are really easy to grow, and lovely in their rambling pea-vetchy way, I am quite fond of their "wood candy" roots. Both types contain amazing healing properties wrapped up in beautifully complex chemistries, I hope you get to know them well! Strength & Wisdom, Micah ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Al-Qemi- Alchemical & Spagyric products for healing body, spirit & soul. Visit us on the web at: www.al-qemi.com <http://www.al-qemi.com>
