Moldy- while you CAN use dried turmeric root powder, and it will be effective for some things, for potent NSAID action, you really need to take a commercial curcumin extract, plus piperine (A black pepper extract which I have made at home, just to say I did... lol)
It's one of the few herbs that I recommend in an extract form. (Gingko biloba and milk thistle are the other two I remember offhand)
Even so, I always take a preparation that is 95% curcumin, and 5% whole turmeric root, to make sure I'm getting all the phytochemicals God designed in the plant.
When I make the recipe with fresh herbs, I just stuff a gallon jar full of fresh leaves and tops, about half and half peppermint and lemon balm, and then fill the jar with 100 proof vodka until everything is fully covered.
For dry leaves, I'd try the 1:5 ratio by volume: 1 cup of dry leaves, 5 cups of 80 proof vodka (the lower proof means more water content. The fresh leaves, of course, are about 80% water, so I use the higher proof vodka to be sure it will keep well. But 80 proof is fine for dry leaves)
Summerthyme
On licorice root, just be aware that it can be a *potent* medicinal, and that folks with high blood pressure or kidney issues need to be very careful with it. Taking 2-4 capsules of whole root daily (or 1/4 tsp tincture, 2x daily) is likely to be fine for anyone not in actual renal failure or having uncontrolled HBP issues. But if taking it for gastritis or stomach pain, take it for a max of two weeks, then reassess. If your pain is improving, but not completely gone, continue for another week, but monitor your blood pressure, and watch for any signs of water retention. If either one starts causing problems, discontinue the licorice.
The pain starts at night and is still there in the morning. Here's to hoping it works!