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Licorice Root | | Name : | Licorice Root | | Synonyms : | Chineselicorice
Gancao (Chinese name)
Kan-ts'ao
Kuo-lao
Licoriceroot
Ling-t'ung
Liquorice
Lu-ts'ao
Mei-ts'ao
Mi-kan
Mi-ts'ao
Sweetlicorice
Sweetwood
YastiMadhu (Sanskrit name)
| | Parts Used : | Root, dried | | Habitat : | Found wild in southern and central Europe and parts of Asia, andcultivated elsewhere. Grows abundantly in Northern China, Mongolia,especially from the region of Kokonor. | | Description : | Licorice is a perennial erect branching plant 3-7 feet tall; thewoody rootstock is wrinkled and brown on the outside, yellow on theinside, and tastes sweet. The stem, which is round on the lower partand angular higher up, bears alternate, odd-pinnate leaves with 3-7pairs of ovate, dark green leaflets. Axillary racemes of yellowishor 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 autumnof 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 pressurelike G. glabra. | | Constituents : | 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, andyellow dye.
Substances in this herb seem to produce physiological reactions ofdesoxycorticosterone, with associated retention of sodium and waterand the excretion of potassium.
Demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, laxative, emetic, emolient, pectoral,alterative, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, sedative, tonic, stimulant | | Uses : | Beneficial for hypoglycemia, bronchitis,consumption, colitis,cystitis, general debility, stomach ulcers,diverticulosis, indigestion, gastritis,bladder, kidneyailments, 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 muscleor skeletal spasms, and increases fluidity of mucus from the lungs,coughs, hoarseness, mucous congestion, and bronchialtubes. Has estrogen-like hormone effects; changes the voice.
A strong decoction makes a good laxative for children and may alsohelp to reduce fever. Add licorice to other medicines to make themmore 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 anantibiotic formula.
Studies show licorice root stimulates the production of interferon.
Deglycerrhizinated licorice may stimulate the body's defense mechanismsthat prevent the occurrence of ulcers by increasing the amount ofmucous-secreting cells in the digestive tract. This improves the qualityof mucous, lengthens intestinal cell life and enhances microcirculationin the gastrointestinal lining. Licorice derivatives have been recommendedas a standard nutritional support for peptic ulcersufferers in Europe.
Licorice is 50 times sweeter than sugar. | | Dosage : | Decoction: use 1 tsp. rootstock with 1 cup water. Take 1 cupa day.
Licorice mixed with wild cherry, and flaxseed makes a wonderful coughsyrup.
For sore throat, phlegm, hoarseness, coughs, and bronchial irritations,the following Chinese formula should be sipped slowly:
Kan-ts'ao (licorice root) 1/2 oz. Chih-ma (flaxseed) 1 oz.
Boil in 1-1/2 pints of water for 10 minutes, strain. Dose: 1 cupof hot tea, 3 to 4 times a day. Sip slowly. | | Safety : | Do not use licorice root if you have high blood pressure, liver disease,or low levels of potassium. The increased production of aldosteronecan raise blood pressure; believed to cause retention of fluids; inlarge quantities, licorice can sap potassium and calcium from thebody, which is extremely dangerous. Not to be taken by people witha rapid heartbeat or those taking digoxin-based drugs. Avoid in casesof osteoporosis, hypertension, and swelling around the heart. Licoriceis contraindicated in cases where there is a tendency towards fluidretention, edema with high blood pressure. It should be used moderatelyfor women, who tend to retain water more than men. Application shouldnot continue for more than 4-6 weeks.
Women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) should not use licorice duringPMS, due to its ability to cause water retention or bloating.
Licorice-flavored candy does not offer the same benefits as preparationsfrom the root, but can cause an increase in blood pressure. | | Myths : | Licorice was used as a treatment for coughs as long ago as the thirdcentury BC. When the 3,000 year old tomb of King Tutankhamen of Egyptwas opened, archeologists found quantities of licorice stored withfabulous jewelry and magnificent art works. Did the boy king havea 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 totheir reputed properties. Licorice was of the first class because'They preserve the life of man, and therefore resemble Heaven. Theyare not poisonous. No matter how much you take, and how often youuse them, they are not harmful. If you wish to make the body supple,improve the breath, become old in years without aging in body, thenmake use of drugs of this class.'
It has been stated that 'Licorice sugar will not crystallize norferment, even when yeast is added.'
Hippocrates mentioned licorice in 400 BC; Pliny wrote 1900 yearsago about the juice of licorice helping to clear the voice. It ismentioned in practically all botanical records of mankind.
In World War I, the French provided their troops with a beveragemade with licorice root.
The Chinese claim to have used the herb root for more than 5,000years. Chinese healers prescribed licorice for flare-ups of arthritis,but back then they didn't know that licorice contained saponins, anti-inflammatorycompounds similar to natural steroid hormones. Licorice stimulatesthe production of 2 steroids, cortisone and aldosterone.
A list of 365 medicinal herbs were compiled in China about 2,000years ago, called the Shennong Herbal. Licorice was listed as a 'superior'drug, meaning it can be used over a long period of time without toxiceffects. It actually has antiviral, antiallergic and, as stated, anti-inflammatoryproperties.
Licorice root, considered of great importance in Chinese medicine,is sold in long, dry, wrinkled pieces. It is used in a large numberof prescriptions as a corrective and harmonizing ingredient. The extractis used in the composition of cough lozenges, syrups, and pastilles.
In the United States, the National Cancer Institute is investigatingtriterpenoids, compounds found in licorice root, for the capabilityto inhibit the growth of cancerous cells and prevent tooth decay.
The Japanese are investigating glycyrrhetic acid as a possible cancertreatment.
Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza lepidota) was known to the Blackfeet tribeas 'Pa ki to ki' and was a remedy for sore throat and stomach trouble.They steeped the gray leaves.
Licorice is used in great quantities in modern tobacco mixtures. | | Nutrient : | Manganese, phosphorus, protein, sugar, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B9,and E. | | Sold : | Powder
Capsules: take 1 capsule to up to 3 times daily. |
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