Licorice is the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra from which a sweet flavour can be extracted. The liquorice plant is a legume (related to beans and peas) that is native to southern Europe and parts of Asia. Licorice is not related to Anise, Star Anise, or Fennel, which are the sources of similar flavouring compounds. Other names of Licorice include Gan cao, sweet root, glycyrrhiza, liquorice. The medicinally used part of licorice is the root and dried rhizome of the low-growing shrub Glycyrrhiza glabra. Currently, most licorice is produced in Greece, Turkey, and Asia.
Licorice Historical Medicinal Usage
In traditional Chinese medicine, liquorice is commonly used in herbal formulae to “harmonize” the other ingredients in the formula and to carry the formula to the twelve “regular meridians” and to relieve a spasmodic cough.
This herb is also an important component of traditional Chinese medicine used to detoxify and to enhance or balance the effects of other components in herbal formulas; and as a tonic, expectorant and a demulcent in Ayurveda. A number of compounds including glycyrrhizin are thought to account for its biologic activity.
The traditional uses of licorice includes supplements the spleen, replenishes qi or chi (energy), clears heat, removes toxin, nourishes lungs, controls cough, harmonizes stomach and spleen, inhibits gastric secretion, has anti-inflammatory effect, anti-ulcer effect and antispasmodic effect. Licorice was alsoused to in application for sore throat, carbuncle, toxic swelling, toxicosis in fetuses and children, palpitation, diarrhea due to impaired spleen, thirst due to weak stomach, cough due to dry lungs. Licorice is used in the treatment of stomach cancer in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Licorice Health Benefits
- Licorice is used in Europe as medicinal support for people suffering from ulcers. Scientific studies have also shown that licorice is very effective as a pharmaceutical drug when it comes to treating peptic ulcers. A special form of licorice known as DGL is the preferred treatment for ulcers; this form removes the glycyrrhizin from the licorice as this can cause high blood pressure. DGL has no side effects and is the inexpensive option when compared with drugs such as Tagomet and Zantac.
- Glycerhizin, the compound that gives licorice its sweet flavour, is a potent anti-viral agent. It is both active against HIV and protects the immune systems of those infected with the virus.
- Research has shown that the benefits of licorice can also be used in HIV related diseases. Licorice helps to slow the progression of HIV to AIDS and clinical studies carried out showed that licorice was able to slow HIV reproduction in test tubes. As you know the HIV virus targets the body’s immune system and destroys white blood cells. Licorice helps to trigger the chemical compound interferon which is the body’s virus fighting agent.
- Licorice is used in Europe as medicinal support for people suffering from ulcers. Scientific studies have also shown that licorice is very effective as a pharmaceutical drug when it comes to treating peptic ulcers. A special form of licorice known as DGL is the preferred treatment for ulcers; this form removes the glycyrrhizin from the licorice as this can cause high blood pressure. DGL has no side effects and is the inexpensive option when compared with drugs such as Tagomet and Zantac.
- Licorice has similar effects tohydrocortisone when applied topically and can be used to help fight dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis . Licorice can also be used to help speed up the healing process of cold sores and has also been known to reduce the pain associated with cold sores.
- Research indicates that the use of Licorice can be effective in treating both chronic and acute hepatitis. The compound glycyrrhizin in licorice is used clinically in Japan was found to be an efficient treatment in both hepatitis B and hepatitis C patients. Licorice was as effective as alpha-interferon and it did not cause the side effects associated with alpha-interferon.
- Licorice has a mild estrogenic effect. A high estrogen level can cause many menstrual problems; licorice may help to balance the estrogen levels in the body by reducing estrogen.
- Research indicates that the use of Licorice can be effective in treating both chronic and acute hepatitis. The compound glycyrrhizin in licorice is used clinically in Japan was found to be an efficient treatment in both hepatitis B and hepatitis C patients. Licorice was as effective as alpha-interferon and it did not cause the side effects associated with alpha-interferon.
- It has always been common practice to use licorice in the treatment of severe respiratory problems such as coughing, asthma, sore throats, and bronchitis and modern research confirms these health benefits of licorice.
- It is not possible to combat the effects of stress without having healthy functioning adrenal glands. Licorice supports the adrenal glands and its compound glycyrrhizic helps to block the breakdown of cortisol which in turn raises cortisol levels helping the body to fight against stress and chronic fatigue syndrome.
- A study on 20 students showed that licorice makes LDL cholesterol more resistant to oxidation.
- Helps in weight control treatments since licorice helps to maintain stomach acid levels.
- Helps for Respiratory Illnesses – licorice contain anti-allergic properties that is essential for the treatment of respiratory disorder.
- Anti-inflammatory – licorice acts on the tissue much the same way as cortisone but without the negative side effects.
- Tonic to help combat fever
Licorice Cancer Cure
One of the principal pathological processes underlying cancer is inflammation; and it is the presence of too much 11?HSD2 in the colon that aggravates the inflammatory component of colorectal cancer. The anti-inflammatory drugs mentioned previously work by blocking the inflammatory process generated by the 11?HSD2 enzyme.
Glycyrrhizic acid however works by blocking the 11?HSD2 enzyme itself; thereby preventing the formation of the inflammatory compounds themselves. Due to its active ingredient glycyrrhiza, licorice may decrease the amount of testosterone, one accusating factor to prostate cancer. Attention is called in electrolytes balance, since licorice increases the levels of potassium in blood.
In this case we speak of cancer, specifically colon cancer, as a group of researchers from the School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University in Nashville have associated the use of licorice with the prevention of cancer.
Licorice inhibits the activity of the enzyme 11-beta-HSD2, which in turn blocks the activity of COX-2 protein, which is achieved by preventing the development of tumors and in turn inhibit their growth and metastasis, the least in experimental models of colorectal cancer with those who worked the researchers.
In fact, researchers have shown that the use of this medicinal plant has no side effects in the arteries or any part of the circulatory system, which it can occur with the implementation of conventional anti-inflammatory drugs commonly used for the prevention of this cancer.
As explained Paul Stewart and Stephen Prescott, researchers discussed the research, it is a very important research by providing a very effective alternative treatment for colorectal cancer treatment.
Writing in the Journal of Clinical Investigation the Vanderbilt researchers describe how glycyrrhizic acid, found in licorice, helps to prevent the formation of colon tumours by inhibiting the enzyme 11?-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2.
Licorice Precautions
Licorice with glycyrrhizin may cause serious side effects. Too much glycyrrhizin causes a condition called pseudoaldosteronism, which can cause a person to become overly sensitive to a hormone in the adrenal cortex. This condition can lead to headaches, fatigue, high blood pressure, and even heart attacks. It may also cause water retention, which can lead to leg swelling and other problems.
Although the most dangerous effects generally only occur with high doses of licorice or glycyrrhizin, side effects may occur even with average amounts of licorice. Some people experience muscle pain or numbness in the arms and legs. To be safe, ask your health care provider to monitor your use of licorice.
People with the following conditions should not take licorice:
- Heart failure
- Heart disease
- Fluid retention
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take licorice.
Use of any licorice product is not recommended for longer than 4 – 6 weeks.
Licorice Dosage
Adults (18 years and older)
- Carbenoxolone gel or cream: A 2% cream or gel has been applied five times a day for 7-14 days for herpes simplex virus skin lesions.
- Commercial preparation : 3.5 grams a day of a commercial preparation of licorice has been studied for body fat mass reduction.
- DGL extract tablets: Doses of 380-1,140 milligrams three times daily taken by mouth 20 minutes before meals have been used.
- Licorice fluid extract (10 percent to 20 percent glycyrrhizin): Doses of 2-4 milliliters per day have been taken by mouth.
- Licorice powdered root (4 percent to 9 percent glycyrrhizin): Doses of 1-4 grams taken by mouth daily, divided into three or four doses, have been used.
Children (younger than 18 years)
There is not enough scientific evidence to recommend licorice for use in children, and licorice is not recommended due to potential side effects.
Licorice Products
Licorice products are made from peeled and unpeeled dried root. There are powdered and finely cut root preparations made for teas, tablets, and capsules, as well as liquid extracts. Some licorice extracts do not contain glycyrrhizin. These extracts are known as deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL), and do not seem to have the undesired side effects of other forms of licorice. Some studies suggest DGL may be better for stomach or duodenal ulcers. DGL may offer protection against ulcer formation when taken with aspirin. Search licorice products in
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