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Product Update from Dr. Yarnell: Glycyrrhiza glabra 

Licorice is arguably the most important herb in the entire global materia medica. Everywhere it is native it is one of the most used herbs, and everywhere it has been brought it quickly became viewed as a critical, powerful herb. Besides all its supportive health benfits, it is also widely used as an effective formula synergizer.

Though Heron Botanicals has long stocked a fluid extract of licorice made by repercolation in England, the regulatory framework for herbs changed drastically in 2011 in England, making access to this product limited if not impossible. Even before this occurred, we had already determined that the intensity of resources and processing to create and ship this product were not necessarily in line with Heron Botanicals’ strong commitment to sustainable herbal supplements.

We have also long carried a glycerite of licorice, which I have found effective in my practice. We then made a tincture which I began to use, as well as some Heron Botanicals’ employees, and we have all found it just as effective as the fluid extract. While the fluid extract is quite sweet and pleasant (for those who like the taste of licorice), it was a fairly unidimensional taste. The tincture has a much broader profile with bitter undertones. This has led us to conclude the tincture, processed with minimal heat, actually contains a broader diversity of compounds from the whole root. The grinding of roots to powder required to create a fluid extract likely destroys many constituents (and this is the main reason we generally avoid fluid extracts at Heron Botanicals).

Based on all this, we have made the decision to phase out the fluid extract in 2012. We feel very strongly that our new tincture and existing glycerite products are just as effective, perhaps even more so, than the fluid extract. Therefore they can be substituted at the same doses as the fluid extract. Additionally, the new product will use less resources to make and represents less of a strain on local environments.

 If you have any questions about these products and this decision do not hesitate to contact us.

Greetings from Heron Botanicals!   

With great care, our products are manufactured in the Pacific Northwest and sold wholesale to health care professionals throughout the country. We carry more than 500 products made from over 320 species of plants, including many viable, local alternatives to standard herbs of commerce. Throughout 25 years of dedicated work our core values remain unchanged and we maintain an extensive and exclusive materia medica. By handcrafting our extractions in small batches from the freshest, highest quality raw materials available, our clients have come to rely on us to provide them with a wide array of products that retain an uncompromising quality and vitality. Please peruse our website for more information, and contact us here if you have any questions.