Natural licorice sticks can be used to calm teething babies by helping to cool and numb the baby's gums. The herb has a pleasantly sweet taste which children/babies quite enjoy as they chew on the sticks. Licorice chew sticks have also been found as a safe and effective way to help quit smoking. A doctor, inspired by the natives of the West Indies who like to chew on licorice sticks or sugar cane stalks, recommended that his patients chew licorice sticks to break their smoking habit with apparent great success. Ex-smokers like having something to chew on or hold in their mouths. Research has shown the licorice stick is a safe substitute for a cigarette.