Herbs ~ Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
In ancient Greece, licorice calmed coughs and soothed stomachs.In China, it's thought to lengthen life.Modern research finds that this herb boosts immunity, fights viruses, treats ulcers, reduces inflammation, protects the liver, eases menopause, and applied topically, relieves eczema.
| COMMON USES |
WHAT IT IS |
FOUND IN HERBALIFE PRODUCTS
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- Reduces symptoms of chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.
- Helps digestive problems.
- Helps treat eczema.
- Promotes hepatitis recovery.
- Enhances immunity.
- Eases respiratory illnesses.
- may be useful for menstrual disorders and menopause.
| One of the most extensively used and thoroughly studied herbal remedies, licorice has a long medicinal history.It was one of the first foods investigated by the National Cancer Institute's experimental food program. Cultivated in Turkey and Greece, the licorice plant-a member of the pea family-is a tall shrub with bluish flowers.Its medicinal properties are in the root, or rhizome, which contains glycyrrhizin.Licorice is also a source of hundreds of other potentially beneficial substances, including plant estrogen's and flavonoids. Licorice root is made into capsules, tablets, tinctures, and cream for therapeutic use.Because it has a sweet, musty taste, licorice root is frequently combined with other herbs to mask their bitterness.Another form, DGL, or deglycyrrhizinated licorice, has had the glycyrrhizin removed; it is available in capsules and chewable wafers.The two types of licorice have different uses and effects on the body.
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| FORMS |
WHAT IT DOES |
LATEST FINDINGS
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- Capsule
- Dried herb/Tea
- Tablet
- Tincture
- Lozenge
- Cream
- Wafer (DGL)
| The glycyrrhizin in licorice stimulates the adrenal glands to produce certain hormones, reduces inflammation, and increases the levels of interferon, a virus-fighting substance manufactured by the immune system.Other compounds in licorice are potent antioxidants and may also mimic the effects of estrogen in the body.DGL has a beneficial effect on the digestive tract.
| Preliminary studies in laboratory animals suggest a possible cancer-fighting role for licorice, particularly in preventing colon and breast cancer.Glycyrrhizin, its active ingredient, may be responsible for this effect because it can enhance immune-system activity.Plant estrogen's found in the root may also be involved, at least as far as combating breast cancer is concerned. Licorice may keep arteries clear and therefore help prevent heart disease, according to a recent study.Researchers found that taking 100 mg of licorice root a day was enough to minimized damage from LDL ("bad") cholesterol, a primary contributor to plaque formation.An active component in licorice was identified as glabridin, a substance present in supplements and standardized extracts, but not in licorice candy. |
| CAUTION! |
MAJOR BENEFITS |
DID YOU KNOW
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- Glycyrrhizin, a key compound in licorice, raises blood pressure.Avoid licorice if you have heart, kidney, or liver disease; high blood pressure; are pregnant; or are taking diuretics or digitalis.DGL licorice, however, is fine.
- Reminder: If you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before taking supplements.
| Licorice is helpful for respiratory problems because it fights the viruses that attack the respiratory tract, relieves symptoms such as coughing and sore throat, and works to thin mucus.Because of its action on the adrenal glands, licorice is often used by nutritionally oriented physicians to treat chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and other disorders affected by the body's levels of cortisol, the main adrenal hormone.The herb can also be taken for virtually any condition involving inflammation.It's especially beneficial for hepatitis, combating inflammation in the liver and fighting the virus that often triggers the disease. The DGL form does not work the same way licorice root does: DGL enhances the body's production of substances that coat the esophagus and stomach, protecting them from the corrosive effects of stomach acid.Therefore, DGL is helpful in cases of heartburn, ulcers, and inflammatory bowel disease.In fact, in several studies, DGL was more effective than standard prescription antiulcer medications.It works only when mixed with saliva, however, which is why the chewable wafer form of DGL is preferred for digestive problems.These wafers can also speed the healing of canker sores.
| Licorice candy in the United States is typically flavored with anise oil, not licorice root, and red licorice isn't really licorice at all.True licorice candies come from Europe.Don't overindulge; they can elevate blood pressure just like licorice root. |
| POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS |
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS |
GUIDELINES FOR USE
| | Because of its effect on the adrenal glands, licorice root can increase your blood pressure.For this reason, do not exceed recommended dosages.If you need to take licorice for more than a month, have your blood pressure monitored.True licorice candy and even chewing tobacco (which often contains licorice as a flavoring) can raise your blood pressure if they are used excessively.DGL does not raise blood pressure and has no other side effects.
| Licorice may be useful for menstrual problems and for menopause.Though glycyrrhizin inhibits the effect of the body's own estrogen's, licorice's plant estrogen's exert a mild estrogenic effect.A woman susceptible to PMS may find that taking licorice for 10 days leading up to her period eases some symptoms.In addition, topical licorice creams soothe skin irritations, such as eczema.
| Licorice root supplements can be taken at any time of day.When using DGL, be sure to chew the wafers well and take them about 30 minutes before a meal.For sore throat, lozenges containing licorice work best.
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