The Lowdown on Licorice


Herbal Remedies:

Licorice is more than just a sweet snack. True licorice or "Glycyrrhiza glabra" is a European plant belonging to the pulse family Leguminosae. The sweet substance that has made licorice famous is produced when the roots of the licorice plant are pressed or pounded. But there's much more to the licorice root, and it has been celebrated for its medicinal purposes since ancient times. Licorice root has been used as a laxative, and taken to treat coughs. When brewed, licorice produces the sweet flavor we love for candy, tobacco and other products.

The Licorice Plant

The licorice plant is perennial, with blue, pea-shaped blossoms. True licorice is cultivated primarily in the Middle East, however there is a subspecies known as glycyrrhiza lepidota, or "wild licorice" that is native to North America. Most types of licorice are found in Persia, Southeast Europe and several Asiatic regions, and there are currently fourteen known varieties.

The licorice plant has long graceful stems and lightly spreading, pinnate leaves. From a distance, they display an almost feathery appearance because of their tiny leaflets which resemble those of the False Acacia. At night, the leaves hang down on each side of the midrib. The flowers are little, growing from the axils of the leaves. Licorice flowers are purplish in color and occasionally pale-blue, violet, or yellowish-white. At the peak of maturity, small pods are formed which somewhat resemble a partly grown peapod.

Health Benefits of Licorice

The licorice plant has an extensive history in herbal medicine and folk healing. The legend of its uses is long and varied. In Ancient China, licorice was thought as one of the most important herbs in traditional medicine. It is used primarily as a demulcent for its soothing and coating effects in the digestive and urinary tracts. Additionally, Chinese folk healers used it to cure a whole array of conditions, including diabetes and tuberculosis.

In modern times, the licorice plant has been primarily used in connection with the treatment for coughs, sore throats and, of course, as flavoring. The word "licorice" is actually derived from the Greek word for "sweet root."

According to recent studies, licorice contains compounds known as flavonoids and glycyrrhizin. Some studies suggest that glycyrrhizin has anti-inflammatory properties, and may provide actions that can inhibit or hinder the breakdown of cortisol, one of the body's important substances.

Researchers believe that licorice can hold important anti-viral properties, although this is yet to be proven on humans. Flavonoids found in licorice can act as powerful antioxidants, protecting the liver and other vital organs. Digestive tract cells may also benefit from chalcones, which are also components of licorice closely related to flavonoids. Preliminary studies using licorice as a treatment have suggested that flavonoids can destroy the bacteria known as Helicobacter pylori, responsible for ulcers and other common stomach inflammations.

Liquiritin, an extract made from licorice, has been used as a treatment for melasma, a pigmentation disorder of the skin. According to a study conducted by medical researchers, 70 percent improvement is observed on melasma patients after a twice daily topical application of liquiritin cream for a duration of four weeks.

How to Buy Licorice

When using licorice, keep in mind that there are two types available in the market. The first is the "standard" licorice which contains glycyrrhizin and used to treat respiratory infections, chronic fatigue syndrome, or herpes. The second type is called the "de-glycyrrhizinated" licorice used to relieve conditions of the digestive tract, such as ulcers.

Licorice is sold in capsules or in tablets. For canker sores, de-gycyrrhizinated licorice in powdered form is suggested.

Contributor Joelle Applebe writes for several web magazines, on natural products and natural health products subjects.
Don't reprint the same version as everyone else. Get your own unique content licorice article here.


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