Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza Glabra)
Licorice root contains many anti-depressant compounds and is an excellent alternative to St. John's Wort. As a herbal medicine it has an impressive list of well documented uses and is probably one of the most over-looked of all herbal wonders. Licorice is useful for many ailments including
Asthma,
Athlete's foot, baldness, body odor,
Bursitis, canker
Sores, chronic
fatigue,
Depression,
Colds and flu,
Coughs,
Dandruff, emphysema,
Gingivitis and
Tooth decay,
Gout,
Heartburn, HIV, viral
Infections,
Fungal Infections,
Ulcers,
Liver problems, Lyme disease,
Menopause,
Psoriasis,
Shingles,
Sore throat, tendinitis,
Tuberculosis,
Ulcers, yeast
Infections,
Prostate enlargement and
Arthritis.
Hundreds of potentially healing substances have been identified in licorice as well, including compounds called flavonoids and various plant
Estrogens (phyto
Estrogens). The herb's key therapeutic compound, glycyrrhizin (which is 50 times sweeter than sugar) exerts numerous beneficial effects on the body, making licorice a valuable herb for treating a host of ailments. It seems to prevent the breakdown of
Adrenal Hormones such as cortisol (the body's primary
Stress-fighting
Adrenal Hormone), making these
Hormones more available to the body.
It has a well-documented reputation for healing
Ulcers. It can lower
Stomach Acid levels, relieve
Heartburn and in
Digestion and acts as a mild
Laxative.
It can also be used for irritation,
Inflammation and spasm in the
Digestive tract. Through its beneficial action on the
Liver, it increases bile flow and lowers
Cholesterol levels.
Licorice also appears to enhance immunity by boosting levels of interferon, a key
Immune system chemical that fights off attacking
Viruses. It also contains powerful
Antioxidants as well as certain phyto
Estrogens that can perform some of the functions of the body's natural
Estrogens; very helpful during the
Menopause. Glycyrrhizinic
Acid also seems to stop the growth of many
Bacteria and of
Viruses such as
Influenza A.
In the
Respiratory system it has a similarly soothing and healing action, reducing irritation and
Inflammation and has an
Expectorant effect, useful in irritating
Coughs,
Asthma and
Chest Infections.
It has an aspirin-like action and is helpful in relieving
Fevers and soothing
Pain such as
Headaches. Its
Anti-allergenic effect is very useful for hay
Fever, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and
Bronchial Asthma. Possibly by its action on the
Adrenal Glands, licorice has the ability to improve resistance to
Stress. It should be thought of during times of both physical and emotional
Stress, after surgery or during convalescence, or when feeling tired and run down.
Licorice with glycyrrhizin may help to:
Control
Respiratory problems and
Sore throat. Licorice eases
Congestion and
Coughing by helping to loosen and thin
Mucus in airways; this makes a
Cough more "productive," bringing up phlegm and other
Mucus bits. Licorice also helps to relax
Bronchial Spasms. The herb also soothes soreness in the
Throat and fights
Viruses that cause
Respiratory illnesses and an overproduction of
Mucus.
Lessen symptoms of chronic
fatigue syndrome and
Fibromyalgia. By enhancing cortisol activity, glycyrrhizin helps to increase energy, ease
Stress and reduce the symptoms of ailments
Sensitive to cortisol levels, such as chronic
fatigue syndrome and fibromylagia.
Combat
Hepatitis. Licorice both protects the
Liver and promotes healing in this vital organ. The herb's
Anti-inflammatory properties help calm
Hepatitis-associated
Liver Inflammation. Licorice also fights the
Virus commonly responsible for
Hepatitis and supplies valuable
Antioxidant compounds that help maintain the overall health of the
Liver.
Treat
PMS and
Menstrual problems. The phyto
Estrogens in licorice have a mild
Estrogenic effect, making the herb potentially useful in easing certain symptoms of
PMS (pre
Menstrual syndrome), such as irritability,
Bloating and breast tenderness. Although the glycyrrhizin in licorice actually inhibits the effect of the body's own
Estrogens, the mild
Estrogenic effect produced by licorice's phyto
Estrogens manages to override this inhibiting action.
Prevent
Heart disease. Recent studies have found that by limiting the damage from LDL ("bad")
Cholesterol, licorice may discourage artery-clogging plaque formation and contribute to the healthy functioning of the
Heart. Research indicates that modest doses of licorice (100 mg a day) have this effect.
Licorice Root � is considered an excellent remedy for various disorders of the
Pancreas. The Chinese have used licorice for thousands of years in their traditional medicine. Licorice is laden with
Anti-inflammatory properties which reduce the
Pain and
Swelling which is linked to pancreatitis.