Liquorice Herbal Information

NAME
Liquorice


LATIN NAME
Glycyrrhiza glabra

ALSO KNOWN AS
Licorice, Yashtimadhu, Mithi-lakdi, Mulathi, Liquorice, sweetwood, licorice root
Atimadhuram, Erattimadhuram, Liquorice.

ORIGIN
Native to Southern Europe and Western and Central Asia.

PARTS USED
Roots


TRADITIONAL HERBAL USES AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Liquorice root is an excellent aid for exhaustion and long term stress as it is an adrenal aid, it nourishes the adrenal glands and can help recovery from ME.
It is also a plant oestrogen and can help balance hormones, so it can be good for relieving symptoms of menopause and discomfort in menstruation.
It is also an anti-inflammatory so can help bring pain relief and reduce inflammation.
It is good for Ulcers, gastritis, indigestion, dry coughs, pharyngitis, laryngitis, it makes a wonderful cough expectorant and relieves constipation.


FOLKLORE AND HISTORY
Licorice is a traditional herbal remedy with an ancient history and world wide usage. Licorice has a long and highly varied record of uses. It was and remains one of the most important herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Among its most consistent and important uses are as a demulcent (soothing, coating agent) in the digestive and urinary tracts, to help with coughs, to soothe sore throats, and as a flavoring. It has also been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat conditions ranging from diabetes to tuberculosis. Liquorice has been used extensively in the soft drink and confectionary making industry.


CONSTITUENTS
glycosides called glycyrrhizin (about 7%) and glycyrrhizinic acid, triterpenoid glycosides (saponins), flavonoids (including liquiritigetol) and isoflavonoids, bitter principle (glycyrmarin), volatile oil, chalcones, coumarins, amino acids, amines (choline, betaine, asparagine), oestrogenic substances (including beta-sitosterol), glucose and sucrose (5-15% sugars), starch, tannins (trace), gums, wax.


TYPICAL PREPARATIONS AND
SUGGESTED DOSAGE

Liquorice Root Herbal Powder
1-2 teaspoons up to 3 times a per day

Liquorice Cut Root
1/2 - 1 teasp root per 1 cup of boiling water Taken as a Tea

Or as recommended by a herbal practitioner

PRECAUTIONS
It is safe for use with children. Liquorice should not be taken by people on digoxin-based drugs. It should also be avoided during pregnancy and in cirrhosis of the liver.
It may interfere with the calcium and potassium absorption. Do not use if you are suffering from osteoporosis, hypertension (increases water around heart).