Liquorice (glycyrrhiza glabra) herb as a poultry feed additive- A review

Medicinal plants have grown in popularity as a result of their numerous health benefits in animals, birds, and humans. Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a prominent traditional medicinal plant belonging to the Fabaceae family of legumes. The principal constituent of liquorice root is glycyrrhizin. Liquorice extract have been noted to have a significant antimicrobial (antifungal, antibacterial, antibiotic, antiviral, antiseptic, and antiprotozoal) effects. Improved feed conversion ratio, average body weight, and feed intake have been observed in quails supplemented with dietary 200 ppm of liquorice root extract and 1% probiotic in their diet. The liquorice extract has been found to have immunogenic and antioxidant properties, which could help poultry improve their growth performance, feed efficiency, carcass characteristics, and serum biochemistry, and can potentially act as a viable alternative to antibiotics in the treatment and prevention of various respiratory, digestive, and immune disorders.