When you hear the word ‘licorice,’ you probably think of the black or red candy in long sticks or bite-sized pieces. The candy by that name actually contains little or no licorice. Instead, the real value of the plant is in the licorice root itself. The name licorice comes from a Greek word meaning ‘sweet root.’ The scientific name is Glycyrrhiza glabra, Liquiritia officinalis. It is also called Chinese Licorice, Gan Cao, Kan-ts’ao, Kuo-lao, Sweet Licorice, Sweet Wood, and Yasti Madhu, to name a few. Used in proper doses in moderation, licorice is one of the most powerful members of the herbal family.
The licorice plant is obtained mainly from the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. The dried plants can grow to over four feet. The plant has bluish purple and white flowers that resemble the blooms of the sweet pea. The licorice roots are cleaned, ground, and then boiled. The curdled, very strong tasting extract is dried again. This is again, along with natural flavors, dissolved in water and formed in molds.
Licorice has well documented history. Licorice has been discovered in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs, including that of Tutankhamen. The ancient Hindus believed it increased sexual vigor when prepared as a beverage with milk and sugar. In Greece and Rome, licorice was employed as a tonic and also as a remedy for coughs, colds, and sore throats. Three thousand year ago the Chinese affirmed that eating the root would give them strength and endurance. They prepared a special tea of it for use as a medicine. In North American folk medicine, licorice was used as a cough suppressant, expectorant, laxative, and treatment for various cancers. Native Americans used licorice to alleviate pain for women experiencing a difficult childbirth. Early pharmacists used it as a sweetening agent and flavoring in many of their syrups and lozenges. Today, licorice extracts are used in sweeteners for diabetics and those suffering from hypoglycemia. Licorice stays potent for a long time too. A sample of licorice from 756 A.D. was found to retain its active ingredients. Licorice is so important in Pontefract, Great Britain, that they still celebrate a licorice harvest festival there.
Generally, licorice is an immune system stimulant that is antibacterial. It not only has value in itself, but it causes other herbs to reach their full potential as well. Licorice contains glycyrrhizin, a substance that is 50 times sweeter than sugar. Glycyrrhizinic acid is more than just a sweetener though. It also seems to stop the growth of many bacteria and of viruses such as influenza A. It is especially useful for any mucous membrane infection, cancer, radiation treatment, general fatigue, or immune suppression.
Licorice extracts are used extensively as ingredients in cough drops, cough syrups, antismoking lozenges, tonics, laxatives, and other preparations. They are also used as flavoring agents to mask bad tastes in certain medicines. For this reason alone it is good to have around when children are sick.
Licorice is best known to some for its estrogenic effects, which make is a useful herb for menopause. Its antiulcer activity make it an herb of choice for both stomach and duodenal ulcer problems. Because it stimulates expectoration and heals mucous membrane systems, it has a long history of use for upper respiratory infections. Licorice is used in treating many ailments, including (in alphabetical order) arthritis, asthma, athlete’s foot, baldness, body odor, bursitis, canker sores, chronic fatigue, depression, colds and flu, coughs, dandruff, emphysema, fungal infections, gingivitis and tooth decay, gout, heartburn, HIV, liver problems, Lyme disease, menopause, prostate enlargement, psoriasis, shingles, sore throat, tendonitis, tuberculosis, ulcers, viral infections, and yeast infections.
Glycyrrhizin is not the only potent medication in licorice. Hundreds of other healing substances have been identified in licorice. Some are flavonoids and various plant estrogens (phytoestrogens). They stimulate and regulate the adrenal glands and the pancreas. This helps control insulin. Licorice acts as a natural cortisone or as a cortisone substitute. Licorice helps injured voice muscles and improves the voice when hoarseness or throat damage occur. Licorice works for the good of the intestinal tract. It acts as a mild laxative. It also strengthens the heart and circulatory system.
Licorice makes an excellent tea and can be used as a tincture as well. Of course, it can be used in many other forms. For instance, it can easily be ground up, and used in capsules. It can also make other treatments more palatable. You can also add it to dishes in small amounts so as to add nutritional value to the dish without changing the flavor.
Licorice is a powerful bulk dried herb. Therefore, it should be taken with caution. Licorice interacts with many prescription drugs. Therefore, if you are on other medication, consult your doctor before taking licorice. The best way to take licorice is combined with other herbs. Licorice could cause water retention and, especially with prolonged use, could raise the blood pressure. It also can cause adrenal stimulation when you don’t want it. Finally, avoid using larger amounts of licorice internally during pregnancy or nursing.
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I have bee taking cortisone for about a year for a respiratory problem
Sinuscitis and got a loungs infection if i don’t take my cortisone. this is causing me side effectas like weigth gain and almost i can’t walk, also in crisis I almost can’t breath
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