Licorice

Licorice, licorice root

Certain ingredients from licorice roots have numerous effects in the body - among other things, they are said to help against coughs, stomach ulcers and inflammation.

As the name suggests, the plant tastes sweet. The roots taste 50 times sweeter than cane sugar. The substance glycyrrhizin is responsible for this. Liquorice is made from the thickened root juice - the black sweet that is processed into lozenges, candies and snails. The sweet brew has also been used as a remedy since ancient times, including against coughs.

Licorice Tea

We prepare 1 tablespoon of licorice root for each glass of water. If you want to make licorice tea for a sore throat and cough, add 1 stick of cinnamon and a few slices of ginger.
Pour the licorice into the water and boil it. After the water boils, reduce the heat and stew the licorice for 10 minutes. Allow the mixture to infuse for 5 minutes, then pour it through a strainer and enjoy the tea.

It is recommended that children, nursing and pregnant women not use licorice in any form. Children over 23 kg can drink 1/3 cup of licorice tea for sore throats and coughs up to 3 times a day. There are also no specific instructions for adults to drink licorice tea. It is advised not to overdose on licorice as it can cause headaches and increase blood pressure.

Licorice for gastric and duodenal ulcers

Licorice regenerates the irritated gastric mucosa and accelerates the healing of gastric and duodenal ulcers, which is why the decoction of this herb's root is used as an auxiliary in the treatment of these diseases.

To prepare the decoction, it is enough to pour half a tablespoon of licorice roots (about 3.5 g) with a glass of cold water, and then simmer slowly, covered, for 5-7 minutes. Then the decoction should be allowed to cool for 10-15 minutes and then strained. It is recommended to drink fresh and warm decoction twice a day.

The decoction can also be used after gastrointestinal surgery. It can also be used by people suffering from hypersensitivity of the colon and gastritis (of course after prior consultation with a doctor).

Licorice protects the liver

The active compounds contained in licorice protect the liver. They prevent, among others fatty liver disease, as well as protect against the toxic effects of hydrocarbons and heavy metals.

Modern phytotherapy recommends the use of licorice as an aid in the treatment of viral and toxic hepatitis.

Licorice and melanoma

Scientists from the University of Minnesota (USA), who published the results of their research in "Cancer Prevention Research", argue that licorice root can prevent the development of melanoma - a malignant skin cancer.

In the course of research on the plant, they found compounds in its root that inhibit the development of cancer cells. One of them is the above-mentioned glycyrrhizin. Unfortunately, its excess in the body can cause side effects such as heart rhythm disturbances, sudden pressure surges and even brain swelling.

Fortunately, scientists were able to isolate another anti-cancer substance from licorice root - isoangustone A - which, unlike glycyrrhizin, is safe to use. Studies in mice showed that malignant melanoma cells treated with isoangustone A grew more slowly.

Licorice slows the development of caries

Licorice, thanks to its bactericidal properties, reduces the number of Streptococcus mutans - green streptococcus, which is part of the natural bacterial flora of the oral cavity and which is the main factor in the development of caries and other dental diseases.

This is confirmed by the results of research by scientists from the University of Minnesota, published by the European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

They show that eating sugar-free sweets with an extract obtained from licorice root significantly reduces the development of tooth decay in children. This is confirmed by statistics - in the Netherlands and Scandinavia, where licorice-based candies are very popular, the caries index ranges from 2 to 10 percent.

In turn, scientists from Mansoura University in Egypt say that the bactericidal properties of licorice root are also useful for root canal treatment. In addition, they argue that licorice also prevents the deposition of tartar and the formation of permanent tooth discoloration.

Licorice for respiratory infections

Licorice is used as an expectorant to soothe hoarseness and cough - especially a dry cough. Modern phytotherapy also recommends its use in diseases such as:

• bronchitis
• asthma
• tonsilitis

because it has diastolic and anti-inflammatory properties.

What does licorice look like and where is the medicinal plant found?

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a perennial that can reach a height of up to two meters. The plant has a yellow, woody root that forms extensive underground runners. On the upright stem there are unpaired pinnate leaves, which consist of nine to 17 oval to heart-shaped leaflets. The leaves are covered with sticky glandular hairs. In the leaf axils there are numerous blue-lilac to blue-violet colored flowers. Licorice belongs to the butterfly family (Fabaceae), flowers from June to July and is native to the Mediterranean region and western Asia.

Which plant parts and ingredients are used?

Licorice root is medicinally effective. It contains two to 15 percent of so-called triterpene saponins. Mainly glycyrrhizin occurs - a mixture of salts of glycyrrhizic acid. If the sugar building block is split off during this process, glycyrrhetinic acid is formed. In addition, flavonoids and coumarins occur, among other things. In total, researchers have discovered around 400 different ingredients so far.

What do the ingredients do? What does licorice root help against?

Scientists attribute numerous effects to the licorice root: Certain ingredients stimulate the bronchial mucosa to form more thin-bodied secretions. This makes it easier to cough up tough mucus, which is helpful if you have a cold. Other active ingredients have anti-inflammatory effects, reduce gastric acid production and can even fight the stomach germ Helicobacter pylori in laboratory tests. However, the effect is not so strong that liquorice root could be recommended against this stomach germ. But the anti-inflammatory effect could have a positive effect on gastritis. There are also initial indications that preparations made from liquorice tackle herpes viruses.

So far researchers have only been able to determine most of the effects in laboratory tests. The effects of the medicinal plant in the human body still have to be researched. Only use licorice root in consultation with a doctor, because excessive consumption can also cause side effects (see below).

Important instructions:

• Licorice cannot be used in liver disease with cholestasis, liver cirrhosis, hypertension, water and electrolyte imbalance (e.g. hypokalemia), kidney failure.
• Licorice should not be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Products based on this herb should not be given to children under 4 years of age.
• People struggling with chronic diseases and taking medications regularly should consult a doctor before consuming the herb. It is worth knowing that licorice should not be combined with diuretics, antiarrhythmic drugs and steroid drugs.
• Products containing licorice should not be consumed for more than 4 weeks. Eating them too long or too often can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, fluid retention, or high blood pressure. Additionally, licorice can interact with some medications to significantly lower potassium levels (this can lead to hypokalemia).