Getting Serious with Sweet Licorice

Retro sweets are staging their most awaited comeback and they won't come complete without licorice. These sweetened herbs have definitely become more than just candies. They're actually part of our culture being our favorite pastimes back in those deliciously unforgettable days. Blackcurrant and Liquorice, Catherine Wheels, Army and Navy, Haribo Liquorice Wheels, Lions Liquorice Gums, Liquorice Toffee, Liquorice Torpedoes, Liquorice Wands, Liquorice Wood, Pascalls Liquorice Comfits and Pascalls Liquorice Cuttings are just some of the brands that became staples of our childhood. Those of us who lived to taste the glory days of candy for the first time are only so glad to see it happen all over again.

Today, these retro sweets can even be more appreciated beyond their sugar. They are still, in fact, herbs that treat a whole range of conditions from the common cough to herpes sores to pre-menstrual syndrome in women. It can come in many different forms as well depending on the ailment. For example, as a tincture, licorice helps heal canker sores. For skin problems, it can come as a cream or ointment. Gastric discomforts may be relieved by licorice in a capsule as well as respiratory problems.

Licorice in old-fashioned sweets may be used for general day-to-day health maintenance, although one still needs to check for genuineness of licorice content. Some products may claim to be licorice-based but don't actually contain the herb at all. In fact, star anise, which is another common herb, is being used as a substitute because of their resemblance in taste.

Of course, if you want licorice for its health-promoting properties, you won't get it as traditional sweets. You will probably go looking for bare and natural licorice root which has been used for centuries by people all over the world, especially in Asian countries, for health reasons. Licorice tablets may also be a good choice if you're always on the go or too busy to be munching on something for long.

If and when you do begin taking licorice as a health supplement, know that there are specific drugs that may cause adverse reactions when taken with it. Some of the most common are heart or blood pressure medicine, spironolactone, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine, cyclosporine, insulin, glipizide, glyburide, metformin, troglitazone, rosiglitazone, pioglitazone and many others. It will, of course, be the safest if you could consult with your doctor before taking licorice, even licorice retro sweets.

However, if you simply want to enjoy that good old licorice taste in your mouth, have it as those old-fashioned sweets you always were crazy about as a kid. Your own children will most likely appreciate it f you get them this whole hamper of licorice treats as well other candies from a wholesale retro sweets shop. Just get online and start adding to your shopping cart.