Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) comes from the Greek word "glukos"meaning sweet and "riza" meaning root.It is a spice made from the dried root of a shrub from the legume family.Licorice's roots are brown on the outside and yellow on the inside.
Licorice contains numerous bioctive subtances or compounds including flavonoid, polyphenol, saponins, glycyrrhizin, liquiritin, liquiritigenin, and glabridin.There are two types of licorice root remedies namely glycyrrhizinic acid and deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL).DGL has also been proved to be an exellent remedy to inhibit the secretion of gastric juices and help to protect the stomach lining from the effects of aspirin damage.
Licorice root contains carbohydrate, mineral, fibers (insoluble and soluble).Licorice extract only contains soluble fibers.Licorice root contains glycyrrhizin that is about 50 times sweeter than sugar.The use of smaller amounts of licorice may cause muscle pain or numbness in the arms and legs for some people.It's roots are used for treatment of health problems.Licorice is used as a flavoring in sweets, chewing gum, chewing tobacco, toothpaste, cough mixtures, and beverages (soft dink and beer).It is also as herbal teas.
The Benefits of Licorice
- Relieves symptoms of indigestion or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Reduces body fat or weight
- Controls respiratory problems
- Soothes the soreness in the throat
- Relaxes bronchial spasms
- Reduces the symptons of chronic fatigue
- Heals shingles
- Reduces fibromylagia
- Combats hepatitis
- Prevents tooth decay
- Protects liver
- Treats premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menstrual problems
- Prevents heart disease
- Prevents gastric or stomach ulcers (peptic ulcers)
- Elevates blood pressure
- Helps Crohn's disease
- Cures tendinitis
- Helps gut syndrome
- Treats tuberculosis
- Helps celiac disease
- Treats emphysema
- Heals bacterial infections
- Treats fungal infections
- Cures gingivitis
- Heals bronchitis
- Treats coughs
- Relieves heartburn
- Heals colic
- Treats hives
- Enhances immunity by boosting interferon levels
- Treats asthma
- Heals colds and flu
- Stops the growth of many bacteria and of viruses such as influenza A
- Prevents the breakdown of adrenal hormones like cortisol (the body primary's stress-fighting adrenal hormone)
- Prevents baldness
- Relieves dandruff
- Heals canker sores
- Reduces depression
- Treats viral infections
- Relieves lyme disease
- Treats HIV
- Treats prostate enlargement
- Treats yeast infections
- Cures arthritis
- Treats psoriasis
- Relieves symptoms of itching, swelling, and redness (Eczema)
- Lowers cholesterol levels
- Increases bile flow
- Treats herpes
- Cures genital warts
- Relieves stress
Preliminary Studies suggest that a specific herbal formula containing licorice, called Iberogast or STW5, may help to relieve symptoms of indigestion or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
According to a few observational Studies consumption of licorice is strongly linked with premature birth.
A Study found that people who took 900 mg of licorice flavonoid oils for eight weeks regularly experienced reductions in body fat, body weight, body mass index, and LDL cholesterol levels.
A Study in 30 healthy men and women showed that eating 100 grams of licorice every day for four weeks resulted in a significant increase in blood pressure.
The Use of Licorice dosage
- Licorice 1:5 tincture : 2 to 5 ml, for three times a day daily.
- Dried root of licorice : 1 to 5 grams as an infusion or decoction (boiled) for thrice a day daily.
- Standardized extract of licorice (contains 20 % glycyrrhizinic acid) : 250 to 500 mg for thrice a day daily.
- Peptic ulcer : DGL extract 4:1 : chew 300 to 400 mg for thrice a day daily.
- Canker sores : mouthwash by mixing 1/2 teaspoon of licorice extract with 1/4 cup of water then swish, gargle and expel for four times a day daily
Caution
- Licorice tea should never be given to infants or toddlers.
- Women in pregnancy should not take licorice because it can increase the stillbirth risk.
- Breastfeeding women are not recommended to consume licorice.
- People with conditions such as heart disease, heart failure, liver disease, diabetes, kidney disease, erectile dysfunction, hypokalemia, high blood pressure, fluid retention, hormone-sensitive cancers like prostate cancer, breast cancer and ovarian cancer should not consume licorice.
- The consumption of licorice products should not use for longer than four weeks to six weeks.
- Licorice may not be consumed with digoxin because it can dangerously increase the toxic effect from digoxin.
- Licorice may not be used with warfarin (coumadin) because it can decrease the levels of the blood thinner in the body or it can not work as well.
The Side Effects Of Licorice
The consumption of licorice in high dosage may cause headache, fatigue, heart attack, high blood pressure, leg swelling, and pseudoaldosteronism.
People who consume licorice excessively may lead to reduce potassium levels in the blood, causing the weakness of muscle and muscle cramps.
Consumption of licorice candy, that is very high in added sugar regularly or excessively can cause health problems including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
People take more than 20 grams of licorice or in large dose regularly may rise blood levels of the hormone aldosterone.
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