Licorice: properties and medicinal uses and contraindications

Licorice: a very sweet root

The generic name of licorice, Glycyrrhizaclearly defines its characteristics by merging the Greek terms glyks or glukus (for sweet) and rhiza (by root).

The licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is started in autumn and in some areas during winter. Is obtained of plants three or more years old and is usually left to dry on the ground.

liquorice contains glycyrrhizinic acida substance considered fifty times sweeter than sugar itselfwhich explains why it has been used since ancient times as an irreplaceable element to sweeten meals.

But licorice alone is a remarkable natural medicinewith multiple therapeutic applications, and already in ancient Greece it was used to treat all kinds of respiratory conditions.

Licorice properties

In the composition of licorice we find the aforementioned glycyrrhizinic acid, saponins like glycyrrhizinflavonoids and isoflavones such as glabron, coumarins, phytosterols and glucose, among other active ingredients.

It is glycyrrhizin that gives licorice its sweetening, expectorant and anti-inflammatory action.

Protects the mucous membranes: licorice root has the ability to protect the mucous membranes of the respiratory and digestive systems, alleviating possible inflammationhelps heal stomach ulcers and inhibits gastric secretions.A great antacid: It has been revealed as an excellent remedy to relieve heartburn and gastrointestinal spasms.Relieves cough: No less important is how remedy against cough and respiratory conditionssuch as flu, laryngitis, bronchitis and asthma. It acts as a natural antibioticwhich prevents the body against the action of viruses and bacteria.Anti-inflammatory effect: Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, licorice is also used to reduce the rheumatic and arthritic painand in external use to treat wounds, sores, canker sores and eye inflammations.Hormonal effect: Licorice is also considered a adrenal gland stimulant. Various studies have shown that glycyrrhizin has a chemical structure similar to corticosteroid hormones, which favors their formation and could be useful as an alternative to certain hormonal treatments.

How to use licorice root

A simple alternative is Salivate the dried licorice root until it melts in your mouth. In this way it is achieved neutralize stomach acidity. With licorice we can take different infusions:

Licorice infusion for cough

You can prepare a herbal tea with a formula that combines licorice with coltsfoot, iceland lichen and poppytaking equal doses of the first three and half of the poppy, in an equivalent of one tablespoon per cup of water.

How is it prepared: Boil for 2 minutes, infuse for 10 and drink a hot cup every 4 hours.

Infusion for heartburn

To relieve gastrointestinal spasms and heartburn, a decoction can be prepared by mixing equal parts liquorice with pennyroyal, horsetail and shepherd’s pursein the proportion of one level tablespoon per cup of water.

How to prepare it: Boil for a couple of minutes, infuse for 10 minutes and take a cup after each meal.

Liquorice for gastritis

Licorice extract stimulates the production of digestive mucosa thanks to its glycyrrhin. It also favors the alkalinization of the acid medium in which the bacteria develops. Helicobacter pylori, so it can be useful in the event that this bacterium is the cause. Two tablets or a small piece are taken twenty minutes after each meal.

Precautions for use and contraindications of licorice

Prolonged consumption is discouragedsuch as the one that would require gastritis and ulcers, since certain side effects, as fluid retention and an increase in blood pressure. Therefore, they should be avoided by patients with hypertension of renal origin, propensity to heart rhythm disturbancesin combination with weight loss cures and in case of acute liver or kidney failure and prostatitis.

Advisor: J. Mª. Teixé, herbalist of “El Manantial de Salud”