Licorice

Also known as: sweet root, sweet grass, glycyrrhiza glabra, glycyrrhizic acid, deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL)

The roots and underground stems of the licorice plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra) have been used to treat a variety of disease and ailments in both Easter and Western medicine.

Licorice has a number of active ingredients, including glycyrrhizic acid, which is thought to be anywhere between 50-150 times sweeter than table sugar and is packed-full of important health benefits.

Home Remedies using Licorice:

Benefits of Licorice:

There are many benefits associated with the intake of licorice root. Licorice can prevent stomach ulcers, acid reflux and excessive gastrointestinal gas.

Studies indicate that licorice can even reduce the stomach irritation and risk of stomach ulcers associated with aspirin use. Also, licorice root extract can lower blood levels of total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides.

One of the most studied compound of licorice is glycyrrhizin, which has been shown to reduce inflammation, promote the secretion of mucus, sooth throat, lung, and bronchial membranes, and stimulate the adrenal glands.

Taken at high doses, glycyrrhizin causes water retention, high blood pressure and loss of potassium. DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) is often preferred, and recommended, to whole licorice because it has fewer side effects and does not contain glycyrrhizin.

Note: Licorice candy is made with artificial flavorings and has no benefits or healing properties.

Uses of Licorice:

Licorice has been used as an effective home remedy for centuries; from the common cold and respiratory ailments to stomach problems, inflammatory disorders, skin diseases and liver problems.

Glycyrrhizic acid, a compound of licorice, has been found to inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria that causes dental caries.

Bronchitis:

Licorice is widely accepted as an effective home remedy for bronchitis, sore throats and coughs.

Licorice soothes inflamed mucous membranes in the nose and throat.

It is recommended to take 200mg of a licorice root extract standardized to contain 50mg of glycyrrhiznic acid daily, for no longer than a month.

Canker Sores:

Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL), a product of licorice, may help heal canker sores. Also, using a licorice-containing mouthwash might help against canker sores because of its anti-inflammatory properties.

Take 1 or 2 chewable DGL tablets 20 minutes before meals, making sure the tablets mix well with your saliva.

To make a licorice mouthwash, combine one-half teaspoonful of liquid extract with one-fourth cup of water, use up to four times daily.

Ulcers:

Licorice truly is an herb with healing properties; classified as a demulcent, licorice is a soothing, coating agent for the digestive tract.

Deglycyrrhizinated licorice extract is available in chewable wafers that bring about pain relief and may even accelerate the healing of ulcers. Studies indicate that Deglycyrrhizinated licorice can be as effective as most over-the-counter medications.

For chewable wafers, follow the individual product labels for dosage information.

For capsules, it is recommended to take two to four 380mg of Deglycyrrhizinated licorice three times a day.

No matter which way you look at it, there are a variety of uses of licorice, some of which include:

  • Bronchitis (capsule)
  • Canker sores (tablet, mouth wash)
  • Cough (tea, capsule, lozenges)
  • Eczema (oral-capsule, topical-gel)
  • Excessive gas (chewable tablet)
  • Gout (capsule)
  • Heartburn (capsule)
  • Hepatitis (capsule)
  • Herpes (topical-tincture)
  • Herpes zoster/Shingles (topical-gel)
  • Ulcers (chewable, capsule)

Side Effects of Licorice:

People who regularly consume large amounts of licorice (20+ grams per day) may risk raising the level of the hormone aldosterone in their blood; this can lead to headaches, high blood pressure and heart problems.

People with high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, or kidney, heart, or liver conditions, and men with decreased libido or other sexual dysfunctions, should not take this supplement.