Licorice – Medicinal Uses, Interactions, Side Effects, Dosage

Licorice

There are several flowering plants whose roots provide the well-known product known as licorice or liquorice. Glycyrrhiza means sweet root, a tribute to the plant’s intense sweetness. The best and sweetest product comes from warmer countries in Europe, such as Italy and Spain. The main commercial plant is Glycyrrhiza g/abra (also called Liquiritiae officinalis or L. radix). Less sweet products come from G. ura/ensis (Chinese licorice), which grows in Asia and Turkey, and G. glandulifera, the source of Russian licorice.Uses and Benefits:

Licorice has been in use for thousands of years in major medical systems as a confection and flavoring, as well as an herbal medicine. In traditional Chinese formulations, licorice (gan cao or kan tsiao) is a frequent component; it is used as a “harmonizer” to integrate and reduce toxicity of the other herbs in prescribed mixtures. It has been used in both Chinese and Western medicine for respiratory problems, including allergies, colds, coughs, sore throat, bronchitis, asthma, and tuberculosis. It has also been a popular agent for treating stomach and bowel disorders, including dyspepsia, bowel spasm, and constipation. Licorice and derivatives, such as carbenoxalone, have been used for many years in Europe and Japan as allopathic drugs for treating peptic ulcer disease. Although use has declined because of the superiority of pharmaceutical drugs, many herbalists still favor licorice products.

other indications include infectious diseases, aphthous ulcers, rheumatic disorders, and skin diseases. Licorice has been employed by many herbalists for inflammatory disorders. In several countries, but particularly Japan, it has a reputation of being able to prevent the adverse effects of hepatotoxic agents; it has been used for treating various forms of poisoning and in the management of viral hepatitis. It is also regarded as an antioxidant and adatogen, and numerous other uses have been described. Pharmacology:

The terpenoids of licorice are thought to control; to many of its healing properties. The main constituent, gly