Licorice Root: The Sweet Power of Harmony

There is a quiet kind of magic that hums beneath the sweetness of Licorice Root—one that soothes, unites, and charms rather than conquers. Its flavor is unmistakable: rich, honeyed, with a subtle bite that lingers like the whisper of a spell. To chew a sliver of its fibrous bark is to taste both power and persuasion, for Licorice has long been the sorcerer’s sweetener—the root that softens words, tempers anger, and binds hearts together with gentle strength.

In the witch’s craft, Licorice is not merely a confection of comfort. It is a symbol of balance and dominion: the magic of persuasion over brute force, of harmony over chaos. It harmonizes the energies within spells, bridging the fierce and the tender, the fiery and the calm. Used in ancient medicine, courtly charms, and modern witchcraft alike, it is a root of sweet power—a reminder that not all strength needs to sting.

Magical Correspondences: Love, Prosperity, and Persuasion

In spellwork, Licorice Root serves as both amplifier and anchor. Its energy binds and balances, weaving disparate intentions into one harmonious current. Because of this, witches often add it to spell jars or herbal blends to ensure cooperation and unity among multiple energies or participants.

In love magic, Licorice is the root of devotion and harmony. It brings sweetness where bitterness has crept in, helping lovers reconcile and renew affection. Added to charm bags or love oils, it strengthens emotional connection and encourages open communication. Some practitioners place a piece beneath the pillow to draw a partner closer or rekindle passion dulled by time.

Licorice also holds sway in prosperity spells, particularly those involving negotiation or persuasion. Its association with eloquence and influence makes it ideal for spells that involve convincing others—whether in business, love, or social endeavors. A few chips of Licorice in a prosperity sachet can help attract cooperative allies, favorable outcomes, and steady flow of income.

But Licorice is not without edge—it is also a commanding root. In certain magical traditions, it appears in domination or control work, granting the practitioner authority in situations that require firm yet fair leadership. It helps one speak with confidence, aligning power with integrity.

In protection work, its harmonizing vibration smooths conflict and eases anxiety, turning volatile energy into calm resolve. Whether used in incense, carried as a talisman, or brewed into a ritual tea, Licorice teaches that true mastery comes from balance, not aggression.

Medicinal Properties: The Healer of Throat and Spirit

In the apothecaries of old, Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) was a medicine of the gods—known to soothe inflamed throats, heal coughs, and cool the fire of fever. Ancient Egyptian physicians mixed it into elixirs for longevity, while Traditional Chinese Medicine revered it as a harmonizer, the herb that balanced and unified the energies of other ingredients in a formula.

As a tea or decoction, Licorice Root calms the respiratory tract, eases sore throats, and reduces inflammation. It is often included in herbal blends for colds, ulcers, and adrenal support, gently sweetening the taste and the effect alike. Its natural glycyrrhizin compounds support digestion, reduce acid reflux, and restore vitality to an overtaxed system.

But beyond its physical benefits, Licorice’s true gift lies in its energetic healing. It restores emotional equilibrium, cooling anger and easing anxiety. For those who speak for a living—teachers, performers, or witches who chant and invoke—Licorice strengthens the voice both literally and spiritually. It is the herb of clear communication, allowing one’s truth to flow without bitterness or fear.

In energetic healing rituals, Licorice tea may be drunk before spellcasting or meditation to align the throat chakra and calm internal discord. Its sweetness reminds the practitioner that healing need not come through pain—it can come through gentleness, through words spoken in balance and grace.

Planetary & Elemental Rulerships: Venus and Water

Ruled by Venus, the planet of love, attraction, and beauty, and aligned with the Element of Water, Licorice Root embodies the divine art of harmony. Venus gives it charm and magnetism—the ability to draw together people and energies through attraction rather than force. Water lends it empathy and adaptability, allowing it to flow easily between opposing currents.

This planetary and elemental pairing makes Licorice an ideal herb for relationship magic, diplomacy, and emotional healing. It teaches softness without submission and influence without manipulation. Its energy resonates with reconciliation, forgiveness, and self-love.

In Venusian rituals, Licorice can be burned or infused into oils to anoint tools, candles, or oneself before performing spells of love, beauty, or confidence. As a Water-aligned root, it connects deeply to intuition, helping the practitioner sense unspoken emotions and subtle energies in others.

Together, Venus and Water weave the essence of persuasion and grace—Licorice’s core energy. To work with it is to wield both sweetness and strength with elegance.

Cultural and Folk Uses: The Root of Harmony

Licorice Root’s reach extends across continents and centuries. In Ancient Egypt, it was buried with pharaohs as a tonic for the afterlife and brewed into healing infusions for the living. In Ayurveda, it is known as Mulethi, revered for its ability to rejuvenate and balance vata, pitta, and kapha—the body’s three elemental energies.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Licorice is called Gan Cao, or “sweet grass.” It is considered one of the most important herbs, used to harmonize and enhance other ingredients in nearly every formula. It represents unity and moderation, ensuring that powerful herbs do not overwhelm the system.

In European folk magic, Licorice was carried as a charm for attraction and eloquence. Speakers, bards, and advocates would chew on the root before important meetings to ensure that their words would be well received. In Hoodoo and rootwork, Licorice is a commanding herb, used to influence others, gain respect, or draw love and loyalty.

Its dual role—as both harmonizer and commander—reflects its balanced spirit. Licorice reminds practitioners that leadership and persuasion are not acts of domination but of alignment. When used wisely, it unites rather than divides, guiding the flow of energy toward cooperation and peace.

Growing & Harvesting: The Sweet Root Beneath the Earth

Licorice Root is native to southern Europe and Asia, thriving in warm, sunny regions with deep, loamy soil. It is a patient plant—taking three to four years to mature fully—but those who tend it with care are rewarded with roots that are thick, fragrant, and rich in vitality.

Plant Licorice in spring, in soil that drains well yet retains moisture. Its slender stems and small purple flowers belie the strength beneath, for it is the root—the hidden heart of the plant—that holds its power.

Harvest in autumn, when the plant’s energy has descended into the root. Dig carefully, taking only what is needed, and leave part of the root to continue growing. Wash, peel, and dry the roots in shade to preserve their sweetness and potency.

For magical work, gather Licorice Root during the waxing moon to enhance attraction and persuasion, or under the waning moon when the goal is to harmonize and heal. Store in glass jars, infused with intention—a reminder that sweetness, when nurtured, becomes strength.

Safety Concerns: Sweet but Strong

Though gentle in flavor, Licorice Root is potent medicine and must be treated with respect. Its active compound, glycyrrhizin, can raise blood pressure and lower potassium levels if consumed excessively. Those with hypertension, kidney conditions, or who are pregnant should avoid prolonged internal use.

In magical practice, its energy is equally strong—too much Licorice in a spell can make its influence overbearing, skewing intentions toward manipulation rather than harmony. Always pair it with grounding herbs like rose, lavender, or sandalwood to maintain balance.

Licorice teaches the golden rule of all magic: sweetness must never become control. It asks the witch to speak with sincerity, to enchant through truth rather than deceit.

Kitchen Witchery: Sweet Magic of the Hearth

In the kitchen, Licorice Root transforms simple brews and confections into potions of power. Its syrupy sweetness pairs well with spices like cinnamon, ginger, and clove, making it a staple for witches who craft elixirs of vitality, charm, and calm.

Brewed into tea, Licorice nourishes both body and soul. Add rose petals for love, mint for clarity, or honey for harmony, and sip before spells of communication or reconciliation.

For money drawing, simmer Licorice with cinnamon sticks and orange peel; strain, cool, and use to wash candles or altar tools. To invite love, infuse Licorice into sugar or honey and use it to sweeten desserts shared with a partner—or to sweeten your own words before a difficult conversation.

Every act of stirring, blending, or steeping becomes ritual when done with intention. Licorice reminds the kitchen witch that sweetness is sacred—it connects, heals, and harmonizes the energies of those who share it.

The Root of Sweet Power

Licorice Root stands as a quiet paradox: soft yet strong, persuasive yet kind, commanding yet compassionate. It teaches that power does not always roar—it can hum softly, drawing others not through fear, but through the gravity of sincerity.

In a world that prizes dominance, Licorice offers another path—the path of sweet strength, of words that heal rather than wound, of influence born from understanding. It is the song of the balanced heart, a melody of unity between will and grace.

When you taste its sweetness, remember that you are tasting equilibrium itself—the alchemy of harmony turned to magic.

Continue your exploration of sacred roots and herbs—discover Ginger for courage, Dandelion for divination, and Burdock for protection. Share your favorite Licorice Root spells or tea recipes with the Undine Grimoires circle, and let sweetness guide your craft.