Licorice – The Benefits of Licorice by Rev. Carol A. Ingle

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Licorice – The Benefits of Licorice

What Is Licorice Root?

The root of the licorice plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra or Glycyrrhiza uralensis) has a long history of use in Eastern and Western systems of medicine. In traditional Chinese medicine, licorice root is referred to as "gan zao."

Uses of Licorice

In herbal medicine, licorice root is often combined with other botanicals to treat a range of health problems, including:

bronchitis
constipation
gastrointestinal disorders
menopausal symptoms
heartburn
stomach ulcers
eczema

Benefits of Licorice

Although research on licorice's health effects is limited, studies suggest that the herb may be helpful in the treatment of prevention the following conditions:

1) Canker Sores

In a 2008 study, scientists found that an adhesive patch medicated with licorice root extract helped heal canker sores (also known as "recurrent aphthous ulcers"). After seven days of treatment with licorice, study members had a significant decrease in ulcer size. Volunteers who received no treatment, on the other hand, saw their ulcer size increase by 13 percent.

2) Functional Dyspepsia

When used in combination with other herbs, licorice root may ease the pain of functional dyspepsia (a chronic condition marked by upper abdominal discomfort). In a 2004 study of 120 people with functional dyspepsia, 43.3 percent of participants treated with an herbal formula (containing bitter candy tuft, matricaria flower, peppermint, caraway, and lemon balm in addition to licorice root) had complete relief of symptoms after eight weeks (compared to just 3.3. percent in the placebo group).

3) Colorectal Cancer

In preliminary research published in 2009, researchers discovered that treatment with glycyrrhizic acid (a compound found in licorice) helped prevent colorectal cancer progression in mice predisposed to the disease.

What Is Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice?

In large amounts, licorice containing glycyrrhizic acid or glycyrrhizin has been shown to cause high blood pressure and other adverse effects linked to heart problems (such as low potassium levels). Therefore, it's important to use only deglycyrrhizinated licorice (or DGL) extract, from which glycyrrhizic acid has been removed.

Despite the findings that glycyrrhizic acid may help prevent colorectal cancer progression, deglycyrrhizinated licorice has demonstrated effectiveness in the treatment of a number of conditions (including canker sores and functional dyspepsia).

Is Licorice Safe?

Glycyrrhizin-containing licorice may interact with a number of drugs, including diuretics, insulin, laxatives, and blood-thinning medications.

Licorice should be avoided by people with renal of liver dysfunction, as well as by women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.

How to Use Licorice

Licorice products (including chewable tablets, capsules, tea, and powder) are available in most health-food stores.

Sources:

Madisch A, Holtmann G, Mayr G, Vinson B, Hotz J. "Treatment of functional dyspepsia with a herbal preparation. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial." Digestion 2004;69(1):45-52.

Martin MD, Sherman J, van der Ven P, Burgess J. "A controlled trial of a dissolving oral patch concerning glycyrrhiza (licorice) herbal extract for the treatment of aphthous ulcers." General Dentistry 2008 56(2):206-10.

Zhang MZ, Xu J, Yao B, Yin H, Cai Q, Shrubsole MJ, Chen X, Kon V, Zheng W, Pozzi A, Harris RC. "Inhibition of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II selectively blocks the tumor COX-2 pathway and suppresses colon carcinogenesis in mice and humans." The Journal of Clinical Investigation 2009 119(4):876-85. doi: 10.1172/JCI37398.

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Licorice

Parts Used

Root, dried

Licorice is a perennial erect branching plant 3-7 feet tall; the woody rootstock is wrinkled and brown on the outside, yellow on the inside, and tastes sweet. The stem, which is round on the lower part and angular higher up, bears alternate, odd-pinnate leaves with 3-7 pairs of ovate, dark green leaflets. Axillary racemes of yellowish or purplish 3-foot-long spikes of flowers appear from June to August, depending on location.

Full sun to partial shade. The roots are dug when sweetest, in autumn of the 4th year, preferably from plants that have not borne fruit, a process that exhausts the sweetness of the sap.

Another variety of licorice is Wild Licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota). It can be used like G. glabra. Wild licorice can raise blood pressure like G. glabra.

Properties

Demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, laxative, emetic, emolient, pectoral, alterative, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, sedative, tonic, stimulant

Contains
Asparagine, biotin, choline, fat, glycyrrhizin, gum, inositol, lecithin, glycosides, volatile oil, coumarins, estrogenic substances, sterols, saponins, manganese, PABA, pantothenic acid, pentacyclic terpenes, phosphorus, protein, sugar, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, and E, and yellow dye.

Substances in this herb seem to produce physiological reactions of desoxycorticosterone, with associated retention of sodium and water and the excretion of potassium.

Licorice was used as a treatment for coughs as long ago as the third century BC. When the 3,000 year old tomb of King Tutankhamen of Egypt was opened, archeologists found quantities of licorice stored with fabulous jewelry and magnificent art works. Did the boy king have a special liking for licorice?

Like the Chinese, the Hindus considered licorice a general tonic, beautifying agent, and elixir of life.

Ancient Chinese divided their drugs into 3 classes, according to their reputed properties. Licorice was of the first class because "They preserve the life of man, and therefore resemble Heaven. They are not poisonous. No matter how much you take, and how often you use them, they are not harmful. If you wish to make the body supple, improve the breath, become old in years without aging in body, then make use of drugs of this class."

In World War I, the French provided their troops with a beverage made with licorice root.

The Chinese claim to have used the herb root for more than 5,000 years. Chinese healers prescribed licorice for flare-ups of arthritis, but back then they didn't know that licorice contained saponins, anti-inflammatory compounds similar to natural steroid hormones. Licorice stimulates the production of 2 steroids, cortisone and aldosterone.

Licorice root, considered of great importance in Chinese medicine, is sold in long, dry, wrinkled pieces. It is used in a large number of prescriptions as a corrective and harmonizing ingredient. The extract is used in the composition of cough lozenges, syrups, and pastilles.

In the United States, the National Cancer Institute is investigating triterpenoids, compounds found in licorice root, for the capability to inhibit the growth of cancerous cells and prevent tooth decay.

The Japanese are investigating glycyrrhetic acid as a possible cancer treatment.

Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza lepidota) was known to the Blackfeet tribe as "Pa ki to ki" and was a remedy for sore throat and stomach trouble. They steeped the gray leaves.

Beneficial for hypoglycemia, bronchitis, consumption, colitis, cystitis, general debility, stomach ulcers, diverticulosis, indigestion, gastritis, bladder, kidney ailments, stress, colds, coughs, laryngitis or hoarseness, sore throats, relieves thirst, fevers, nausea, and inflammation. Cleanses the colon, lowers blood cholesterol, promotes adrenal gland function, decreases muscle or skeletal spasms, and increases fluidity of mucus from the lungs, coughs, hoarseness, mucous congestion, and bronchial tubes. Has estrogen-like hormone effects; changes the voice.

A strong decoction makes a good laxative for children and may also help to reduce fever. Add licorice to other medicines to make them more palatable.

Externally, used as an ointment for eczema, psoriasis, burns, boils, sores, ulcers, and redness of the skin. Made by adding 2% of licorice juice to an antibiotic formula.

Studies show licorice root stimulates the production of interferon.

Deglycerrhizinated licorice may stimulate the body's defense mechanisms that prevent the occurrence of ulcers by increasing the amount of mucous-secreting cells in the digestive tract. This improves the quality of mucous, lengthens intestinal cell life and enhances microcirculation in the gastrointestinal lining. Licorice derivatives have been recommended as a standard nutritional support for peptic ulcer sufferers in Europe.

Decoction: use 1 tsp. rootstock with 1 cup water. Take 1 cup a day.

Licorice mixed with wild cherry, and flaxseed makes a wonderful cough syrup.

Warning

Avoid in cases of osteoporosis, hypertension, and swelling around the heart. Licorice is contraindicated in cases where there is a tendency towards fluid retention, edema with high blood pressure. It should be used moderately for women, who tend to retain water more than men. Application should not continue for more than 4-6 weeks.

Women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) should not use licorice during PMS, due to its ability to cause water retention or bloating.

Licorice-flavored candy does not offer the same benefits as preparations from the root, but can cause an increase in blood pressure.