Gr. glukurrhiza =” sweet rot”, glukus = “sweet”, rhiza = root, Old French = “Licoresse”
It is usually spelled “liquorice” in Commonwealth usage, but “licorice” in the United States.
Excessive amounts of the active ingredient in black licorice, glycyrrhizic acid, can lead to pseudohyperaldosteronism (HTN, hypoK, met alkalosis). It inhibits 3B-HSD2, which leads to excess cortisol binding to renal mineralocorticoid receptors.