From ancient Greece to Egypt, to China and India, where it’s used today in Ayurvedic practices, the versatile licorice herb is steeped in tradition.
The scientific genus name for licorice root, Glycyrrhiza, comes from “glukos” (sweet) and “riza” (root). Plus, the glycyrrhizin compound contained in licorice can be up to 50 times sweeter than sugar.
So, it's no wonder why when many people hear of licorice, they think of the confectionery by the same name.
However, licorice is actually a perennial herb native to the Mediterranean that’s been prized for its nutritional and potential vitality properties for centuries. In fact, its use has been documented in Assyrian clay tablets and Egyptian papyri.
Due to its low calories, density of vitamins and minerals, and high antioxidant content, consuming unprocessed and organic licorice can powerfully support your health.
Licorice Packs a Punch with Powerful Benefits
Polyphenols (also known as phenolics) are phytochemicals, natural plant chemicals with powerful antioxidant properties. Over 8,000 polyphenols have been identified, and they can be broken down into four general categories (with additional subgroupings):
- Flavonoids
- Stilbenes
- Lignans
- Phenolic acids
As a general rule, plants contain complex mixtures of polyphenols, with higher levels often found in the outer layers of the plants.
One of the most extensively researched and wholesome plants, licorice root contains a wide variety of polyphenols including flavonoids. In their natural state, these polyphenols contain not only antioxidant properties but also other health-supporting and adaptogenic properties that have been shown to potentially:
- Provide congestion support.*
- Promote healthy digestion.*
- Provide hormonal support in women.*
- Help your body manage occasional stress.*
- Support your overall cellular health.*
- Aid in weight management.*
With so many licorice root options available, including organic, in the marketplace today, you need to be aware that not all licorice formulas are created equal.
Biodynamic® Fermented Licorice Takes Organic to the Next Level
While Certified Organic is a high-quality standard that helps you avoid harmful synthetic pesticides, fertilizers and genetically engineered ingredients (GEs), organic licorice may still lack important nutrients if the soil where it was grown lacks those nutrients.
So, why stop with organic if there’s an even higher achievable quality level?
We went beyond organic with our Demeter Certified Biodynamic® Organic Fermented Licorice formula.
The licorice for the Biodynamic® Organic Fermented Licorice Chewable Tablet is grown on Biodynamic farms in the Bahariya Oasis in Egypt, where the aerated soil and warm climate create the ideal environment for hearty, healthy root systems.
The world’s oldest ecological certification, Demeter Certified Biodynamic® is the conscious, creative, holistic way of farming that elevates the organic standards on regenerative agriculture by using a soil-first approach.
It views the farm as a living organism that’s self-contained, self-sustaining and follows the cycles of nature to create a diverse and balanced ecosystem. This promotes the overall health of the crops and animals, from the worms and bees to the livestock, while returning life back to the soil for exceptional ingredients the way nature intended.
So why are Biodynamic standards so important when it comes to a high-quality potent licorice formula? Let’s take a closer look at how Demeter Certified Biodynamic® compares to the National Organic Program’s (NOP’s) Certified Organic standards:
| Allows imported organic fertilizers |
Reduces imported materials by utilizing nutrient-rich humus created within the farming system |
| Allows imported organic pesticides |
Creates a biologically diverse habitat that encourages balanced predator-prey relationships |
| Does not require the use of livestock |
Integrates livestock to improve soils |
| Does not address the rotation of crops |
Promotes crop rotation and intensive use of cover crops (green manure) to add nutrients to the soil |
| Organic feed for livestock can come from anywhere in the world |
50% of livestock feed must be grown on the farm |
| Does not require biodiversity |
10% of total farm acreage must be set aside for biodiversity |
| Focuses on crops and allows for only one section of a farm to be certified |
Focuses on farms as a whole and requires that the entire farm be certified |
| Product certification focuses mainly on ingredients used |
Product certification uses 12 Biodynamic® processing standards so the agricultural ingredients used define the product |
How Fermentation Helps Boost Antioxidant Activity
To enhance bioavailability of the numerous potentially nutritious and healthful polyphenols found in the root, the licorice in Biodynamic® Organic Fermented Licorice Chewable Tablet is fermented.
Below is a chart with a sample of some of the key polyphenols found in the formula and how their evaluated levels compare with conventional (non-organic/unfermented) and even Biodynamic unfermented licorices.
For this evaluation, we used samples from the same lot of Biodynamic licorice prior to it being fermented into our end product. This approach shows exactly how the fermentation process enhances the antioxidant content.
Examples of Evaluated Polyphenol Content in Licorices
| Polyphenol |
Found in Conventional? |
Found in Biodynamic Unfermented? |
Found in Biodynamic FERMENTED? |
| Luteolin |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes – Up to 33 times Conventional and 15 times Biodynamic Unfermented |
| Isorhamnetin |
No |
Yes |
Yes – Up to 8.5 times Biodynamic Unfermented |
| Butein |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes – Up to 4 times Conventional and Biodynamic Unfermented |
| Apigenin |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes – Up to 6 times Conventional and 3 times Biodynamic Unfermented |
| Liquiritigenin-1 & -2 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes – Up to 3 times Conventional and 9 times Biodynamic Unfermented |
| Quercetin |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Tyrosol |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Hydro Ferulic Acid |
No |
No |
Yes |
As a result of fermentation, the overall evaluation showed concentration increases of 20 licorice polyphenols and conversions of 12 additional compounds into their parental, usually more active forms.
Both of these actions increased the antioxidant activity potential of the fermented Biodynamic vs. the unfermented Biodynamic licorice.
An example of how this activity occurs is with quercetin. During fermentation, the glycoside form of quercetin in the licorice root is converted to its aglycone form. This form of quercetin has been shown to exhibit enhanced antioxidant activity.*
With the Biodynamic® Organic Fermented Licorice Chewable Tablet, it’s the first time the benefits of Biodynamic practices and fermentation processes have been combined and utilized in the formulation of a licorice tablet.
How We’re Committed to Biodynamic Sustainability and Helping the Local Communities
To ensure we offer the highest quality products possible, we’re very selective when choosing our partners. Our Egyptian partner is steeped in a rich history that goes beyond simply providing high-quality licorice.
This exceptional provider:
- Was founded with the idea of sustainable development and the aim to build a prosperous future for the surrounding communities and Egypt.
- Continually strives to implement sustainability through a holistic approach that includes the four dimensions of economy, ecology, cultural and societal life.
- Using their supply chain management they not only achieve long-term business relationships, but also contribute to the improvement of living conditions and the development of supplying farmers throughout Egypt.
The independent Egyptian Biodynamic Association (EBDA) provides the training and expertise needed to enable participating farmers to have their land inspected and certified as Biodynamic according to Demeter’s Standard.
Holistic Biodynamic agriculture, combined with processing companies in one closed value chain, enables our partner to produce the highest quality products with full transparency and traceability for Egypt and the world.
Promote Optimal Health With Biodynamic Fermented Licorice Tablet
Of course you can find conventional licorice as well as organic licorice just about anywhere today, and even some limited examples of Biodynamic licorice products.
However, we don’t believe you’ll find anything similar in unsurpassed quality, flavor and potential beneficial properties like Biodynamic® Organic Fermented Licorice Chewable Tablet – sourced from Egyptian Biodynamic farms with the added bioavailability bonus of fermentation in tablet form.
We strongly believe Biodynamic is the wave of the future and exactly what’s needed to ensure that our soils can continue to support agriculture and benefit the world.
Why not give Biodynamic farmers your vote of support and treat yourself to a truly rewarding experience by ordering the first ever Biodynamic® Organic Fermented Licorice Chewable Tablet today?