Licorice Health Benefits

Licorice Effects, Health benefits, Side Effects

What is Licorice is the root of lugune plant that has compounds 50 times sweeter than sugar.
Licorice Health Benefits Licorice has been traditionally used to treat peptic ulcer, canker sores and for weight loss

Licorice

Licorice Side effects and warnings. Licorice is considered safe at recommended dosages. May cause adverse side effects such as upset stomach, diarrhea and vomiting. May not be safe for pregnant women and children.


What is Licorice

licorice roots

Scientific Name: Glycyrrhiza glabra

Other Names of Hop:
Lacrisse (German), Licorice Root, Liquorice, Reglisse (French), Regolizia (Italian), Suessholz, Sweet Licorice, Sweet Wood

Licorice is the edible root of Glycyrrhiza glabra also known as “sweet root” because it contains a compound that is about 50 times sweeter than sucrose. Because of its sweetness, it is popularly used as “sweets” or licorice candy, as confectionary and as food flavorings. Licorice is also used in traditional medicine having health benefits and uses for the treatment for colds and coughs, as anti-inflammation, to control blood sugar level, to heal ulcers, treat canker sores, hepatitis and many others.

Plant Description

Licorice plant is a herbaceous perennial, growing up to 1 meter in height in some parts of Europe and Asia. Licorice has pinnate leaves with 9 to 17 leaflets. Licorice flowers are whitish blue to purple in color about 1 cm long with loose inflorescence. Licorice fruit is an oblong pod about 2 to 3 cm in length. The licorice roots are straight wrinkled, fibrous wood that grows horizontally underground with brown skin and woody yellow internal pulp.




Scientific Studies of Licorice Health Benefits


Anti Cancer Benefits of Licorice

In the Journal of Nutrition and Cancer. 2001, The American Health Foundation reported that licorice and its derivatives may protect against carcinogen-induced DNA damage and may be suppressive agents as well. Glycyrrhizic acid is an inhibitor of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase, inhibits protein kinase C, and downregulates the epidermal growth factor receptor. Licorice polyphenols can induce apoptosis in cancer cells and presents a recommendation in further study on its viability in fighting cancer.

Anti-inflammatory Benefits from Licorice Extract

In the Journal of American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists 2005, a clinical study was done to investigate the anti-inflammatory activities of both glycerrhitinic acid (GA)and the aqueous licorice extract (ALE) in comparison with diclofenac sodium (DS) (10 mg/kg), using the carrageenan-induced paw edema model in male albino rats. Results have shown that licorice extract and glycerrhitinic acid have anti-inflammatory benefits comparable to diclofenac sodium.

Licorice Benefits for Peptic ulcers

In an animal study where the effects of licorice to peptic ulcer was investigated, it was found that rats fed with licorice coated aspirin demonstrated a reduced incidence of ulcers.

However in human studies, there are mixed reports on the effectiveness of licorice extract in treating peptic ulcers.. One study reported that out of 100 individuals with peptic ulcers given licorice extract 90 showed improvement of peptic ulcer symptoms. While another study found no sufficient evidence that licorice can heal stomach ulcers. Nonetheless, it was reported that deglycyrrhizinated licorice when mixed with antacids may help treat peptic ulcers

Licorice Benefits and Effects in Common Oro-dental diseases.

In the Journal of Oral Diseases, January 2012, it has been reported that licorice contains several classes of secondary metabolites that has been found to have many health benefits. Among these benefits include potential activity against oro-dental diseases such as dental carries, periodontitis, cadidiasis and recurrent aphthous ulcers. [1]

Licorice Gel Benefits for Atopic Dermatitis.

In the Journal of Dermatology Treatment. September 2003. a report has been published detailing a study on the effects of licorice extract as topical preparation in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. In this study, the 1% and 2%  licorice extract prepared into a gel with propylene glycol as solvent has helped relieve the symptoms of itching, swelling and redness of atopic dermatitis. The results showed that licorice extract could be considered as an effective agent for treatment of atopic dermatitis. [2]

Antimicrobial Effects of Licorice Extract (Tuberculosis Treatment)

In the Journal of Ethnopharmacology March 2008, a report has been made about the potential antimicrobial activity of licorice against gram positive and gram negative bacteria.  The antimicrobial activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra was found at 500 microgram/mL concentration. This study suggests the potential use of licorice as anti tubercular agent through systemic experiments and sophisticated anti-TB assay. [3]

Anti-Obesity Effects of Licorice (Weight Loss Benefits)

In the Journal of Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry. 2008 December, A study has been published investigating the anti-obesity action of licorice flavonoids oil in diet-induced obese rats. Results have shown that the addition of 2% licorice flavonoids oil in a high-fat diet significantly decreased the weight of abdominal adipose tissue and the levels of hepatic and plasma triglycerides. The findings suggest that the anti-obesity action of licorice flavonoids oil is controlled by regulation of the rate-limiting enzymes in the fatty acid synthetic and oxidative pathways in the liver.

Another study found that people who took 900 mg of licorice flavonoid oil daily for 8 weeks had decreases in body fat, body weight, body mass index, and LDL cholesterol levels. However, it was suggested that further investigation is needed to establish the benefits of licorice in weight loss regimen and its associated side effects.



Licorice Availability and Preparation

Where to buy licorice?

Most licorice products are made from peeled and unpeeled dried root. Licorice may be available in powdered and finely cut root. Licorice may be bought from most health stores and in some locations in markets as licorice sweets.

Licorice may also be available in online stores such as this one found in amaxon.com; Black Soft Natural Licorice, 10.6-Ounce Bags (Pack of 4)  

Licorice preparations include teas, tablets, and capsules, as well as liquid extracts.

How to Take It?

Children: Licorice is safe to be taken by older children. Licorice may be chewed or taken as tea. Licorice is not to be taken more than one day. Licorice is not to be given to toddlers and infants.

Adults:

  • Licorice Tea: Boil 1 to 5 grams of dried licorice per cup taken 3 times a day.
  • Licorice Tincture: 0.5 to 1 ml tincture to a cup of decoction taken 3x a day.
  • Licorice Standardized extracts: 250 to 300 mg, 3x a day.
    Or follow as directed by product label or by a competent medical practitioner.
  • Not to be taken longer than a week without the advise from your doctor.

 


Licorice Side Effects and Warnings

Licorice is considered safe for most people when consumed as food.

Licorice medicinal preparations are safe to use for a short period of time (1 month).

While licorice is safe to be consumed as food even by children, licorice medication while pregnant or breast feeding is not recommended. There may result adverse side effects to the fetus or infants.

Side effects from licorice use almost always results from over use, and over dosage in a longer period of time. Side effects include high blood pressure, weakness, paralysis, low potassium in the blood,

Other possible side effects are the feeling of tiredness, headache, loss of libido in men, menstrual period disruption in women and water retention.

Do not take licorice when suffering from the following health conditions:

  • Heart Disease: The water retention effect of licorice may worsen the congestive heart failure condition.
  • High blood pressure: Licorice has been known to increase the blood pressure.
  • High blood pressure: Licorice can raise blood pressure. Don’t consume large amounts of it if you have high blood pressure.
  • Hormone sensitive conditions such as breast, ovarian cancer, endometriosis or uterine fibroids,: Licorice has estrogenic effect and can worsen such conditions.
  • Heart disease: Licorice can cause the body to store water, and this can make congestive heart failure worse. Licorice can also increase the risk of irregular heartbeat. Don’t consume licorice if you have heart disease.
  • Sexual problems: Licorice has a testosterone level lowering effect that can worsen the erectile dysfunction in men and diminish sexual interest in women.
  • Kidney and liver diseases: Over use of licorice may worsen the kidney and liver problems.
  • Diabetes: Licorice may affect the sugar level in the body.


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