Licorice is highly beneficial to the entire gastrointestinal tract. It fights nausea, helps sweeten a sour stomach, cleanses the colon, supports the liver, and is the herbalist’s treatment of choice for colitis, diverticulosis, and gastritis. Licorice is a noted expectorant and anti-inflammatory that helps liquify mucus, making it valuable against colds, sore throats, bronchitis, sinus and lung congestion. It is considered helpful in cases of PMS, allergies, hypoglycemia, stress, and muscular and skeletal spasms. Licorice has even proven effective against herpes simplex when used topically.

DESCRIPTION AND PARTS USED

Licorice is a perennial shrub that grows from three to seven feet high. It prefers a temperate climate and puts forth long, cylindrical, branched, flexible roots that send forth runners every which way. The valuable properties of licorice are found in both the runners and roots, which are harvested in the fall. Licorice root is not used fresh; it is dried to lock in its medicinal properties.

Herbal BeautyHISTORICAL NOTES

Licorice is one of the most ancient medicinals in the Chinese pharmacopoeia. The medical use of licorice in Eastern culture dates back at least 4,000 years. The 2,000-year-old Shennong Herbal, which includes more than 365 plant drugs, lists licorice as a “superior” drug.

SCIENTIFIC FINDINGS

Licorice is one of the most extensively investigated of all botanical medicines. Because of its pharmacological activity, it is useful in a wide range of health conditions. It has been established that licorice is: anti-inflammatory; antiallergic; antibacterial; antiviral, antifungal; antimicrobial; antihepatotoxic; anticonvulsive; and immunostimulatory. In short, licorice helps minimize injury, while boosting the immune system at the same time. Licorice also exertsa unique normalizing action on estrogen metabolism, inhibiting estrogen action when levels are too high and stimulating estrogen action when levels are too low.

Licorice has a long history of successful use in the treatment of peptic, gastric, and duodenal ulcers. In the treatment of ulcers, licorice does not slow down the production of gastric acid. Instead, it steps up the defenses that prevent an ulcer from forming in the first place. This action includes increasing the number of protective mucus-secreting cells, improving the quality of the mucus produced, increasing the life span of the intestinal cells, and enhancing the strength of the gastrointestinal tract lining. However, researchers have unearthed a harmful side effect that occurs with overuse of this herb.

There are several components of licorice. One, carbenoxolone, has antiulcer action. Another, glycyrrhetic acid, has the potential to cause high blood pressure. This acid fosters the buildup of sodium and simultaneously reduces the amount of potassium circulating in the bloodstream. It also causes the body to retain water. Scientists solved the problem by creating deglycyrrhizinated licorice or DGL. If you are considering the use of licorice for the treatment of ulcers, please talk to your doctor about DGL. It has racked up some impressive results in double-blind studies.

TRADITIONAL USE

Internal. If you are using the powdered form of whole licorice root to brew a healing tea, limit yourself to 3 cups of tea daily, using 1/4 teaspoon (.035 ounces or 1 gram) of powder per 8 ounces of freshly boiled water.

External. Clinical studies have shown that glycyrrhizin, when used as a soothing wash, can be helpful in reducing the healing time and pain associated with oral and genital herpes lesions. Glycyrrhizin inactivates the herpes simplex virus and stimulates the synthesis and release of interferon, one of the defensive elements of the immune system. If you are using licorice root (and not the powdered form), a decoction is called for.

CONSIDERATIONS

Although studies show not everyone reacts the same way, the ingestion of large doses of licorice can cause high sodium and low potassium levels in blood. Licorice should not be used by anyone with high blood pressure, with the potential to develop high blood pressure, or with kidney problems. Do not use licorice if you are taking heart medication.

You should know that studies have shown individuals who normally consume a healthy diet of foods rich in potassium (fruits and vegetables) and restrict their salt intake, which we all should be doing anyway, remain free of the side effects associated with the acidic component of glycyrrhizin.

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Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)