The sound of a dog constantly scratching or licking can be as irritating as nails on a chalkboard. But donât blame your pooch for these bad habits -- a skin condition is probably the culprit. Possible causes range from parasites to allergies to underlying illness.
Licorice root extract is used in alternative medicine as a laxative, a diuretic and an anti-inflammatory agent. It is also used to treat gastric ulcers, respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis and skin conditions such as eczema and canker sores.
The distinctive flavor and sweetness of licorice comes from the glycyrrhizin that composes up to 25% of the rootâs makeup. The root itself is hard and fibrous, and is thus typically used for food only as a liquid flavor infusion. In fact, many licorice flavored candies include no real licorice, and are instead flavored with similarly flavored spices such as anise and fennel.