Amber Technology's Reference Center
Licorice

http://myhealth.barnesjewish.org/library/healthguide/en-us/Cam/topic.asp?hwid=hn-2122006

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.

According to test tube studies, glycyrrhizin has anti-inflammatory actions and may inhibit the breakdown of the cortisol produced by the body. 1, 2 Licorice may also have antiviral properties, although this has not been proven in human pharmacological studies. Licorice flavonoids, as well as the closely related chalcones, help heal digestive tract cells. They are also potent antioxidants and work to protect liver cells. In test tubes, the flavonoids have been shown to kill Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that causes most ulcers and stomach inflammation.

An extract of licorice, called liquiritin, has been used as a treatment for melasma, a pigmentation disorder of the skin. In a preliminary trial, 4 topical application of liquiritin cream twice daily for four weeks led to a 70% improvement, compared to only 20% improvement in the placebo group.

http://www.herbalgram.org/herbalgram/articleview.asp?a=2947

1 Theophrastus, an ancient Greek physician and botanist (circa 371 – 286 BCE), documented the use of licorice to assist with coughs and asthma.

Licorice is one of the most extensively researched medicinal and food plants.1 Studies on licorice have demonstrated positive effects for treatment of various types of ulcers and chemoprevention.6 Other studies indicate the following: (1) dietary consumption of licorice root extract may help to lower cholesterol and act as an antioxidant,6,7 (2) compounds in licorice inhibit serotonin re-uptake and may be useful in the treatment of mild to moderate depression in women,8 and (3) licorice may help reduce body fat mass.9 One study suggests that topical application of licorice extract may be effective in treating the itching and inflammation associated with dermatitis.10

http://www.holistichearthealth.com/glossarylist.asp#R

A plant of the Mediterranean region having blue flowers and a sweet, distinctively flavored root. Used for treating hypoglycemia, inflammation, female problems, and drug withdrawal. It has also been used to raise a person's energy level, immune and adrenal system support, and to raise blood pressure.

http://www.purplesage.org.uk/profiles/liquorice.htm

Indications: bronchial catarrh, bronchitis, chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, colic, primary adrenocortical insufficiency. Specifically indicated in Addison's disease.

Therapeutics and Pharmacology: Glycyrrhiza has a marked effect upon the endocrine system. Its glycosides are structurally similar to the natural steroids of the body, and are responsible for the beneficial action that this herb has in the treatment of adrenal gland problems such as Addison's disease. Glycyrrhizin is fifty times stronger than sucrose, which encourages the production of hormones such as hydrocortisone. This helps to explain its anti-inflammatory action and also its role in stimulating the adrenal cortex after steroid therapy. It has an ACTH-like action on the adrenal cortex, increasing the production of gluco- and mineralocorticoids. It is used in allopathic medicine as a treatment for peptic ulceration, a similar use to its herbal use in gastritis and ulcers. It produces a highly viscous mucus over the stomach wall and reduces gastric acid secretion and eases spasms of the large intestine. It increases the secretion of bilirubin in the bile and lowers blood cholesterol levels.

Glycyrrhiza is widely used in bronchial problems such as catarrh, bronchitis and coughs. It reduces irritation of the throat and yet has an expectorant action. It produces its demulcent and expectorant effects by stimulation of tracheal mucous secretion. It is a potent healing agent for tuberculosis, where its effects have been compared to hydrocortisone. Glycyrrhiza is also effective in helping to reduce fevers (glycyrretinic acid has an effect like aspirin), and it may have an antibacterial action as well. It can neutralise many toxins such as those of diphtheria and tetanus. Its anti-inflammatory action accounts for its use in the treatment of chronic inflammations such as arthritic and rheumatic diseases, chronic skin conditions, and autoimmune diseases in general. It may also be used as an eyebath in conjunctivitis and other inflammatory conditions of the eye surface.

Glycyrrhiza has an antipyretic effect comparable to sodium salicylate.  Asparagine is a potent diuretic, leading to speculation that its presence may reduce the chance of the whole plant increasing blood pressure compared with isolated glycyrretinic acid.

The solidified extract, sold in sticks, forms the basis of many proprietary laxatives, stimulating bile flow, with a gentle action in constipation. Glycyrrhiza can be used as a non-sucrose sweetener, and can be taken safely by diabetics.

http://www.florahealth.com/Flora/home/canada/HealthInformation/Encyclopedias/LicoriceRoot.asp

Traditional Usage: - Anti-inflammatory
- Antioxidant
- Athlete's Foot
- Baldness
- Body Odor
- Breathing Disorders
- Bursitis
- Canker Sores
- Catarrh
- Cellular Regeneration
- Cleansing
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Colds and flu
- Coughs
- Dandruff
- Detoxifying
- Duodenal Ulcers
- Eczema
- Emphysema
- Expectorant
- Fungal Infections
- Gingivitis
- Heartburn
- HIV Infection
- Hormone Imbalances
- Joint Pain
- Menopausal Problems
- Prostate Enlargement
- PMS
- Psoriasis
- Shingles
- Sore Throat
- Skin Disorders
- Tendonitis
- Tuberculosis
- Ulcers
- Viral Infections
- Yeast Infections

Overview: Licorice, Glycyrrhiza glabra L. [Fam. Fabaceae], is a legume with roots rich in glycyrrhizin, a compound almost 50 times sweeter than sugar. Licorice root has been a valued medicine in both the Eastern and Western worlds for thousands of years and use was documented as early as 2500 B.C. in Assyrian clay tablets and Egyptian papyri. Traditionally, licorice root was particularly valued for treating respiratory problems, coughs, colds, flues and infections. The German Commission E recognizes licorice root for treating respiratory catarrh (mucous) and gastric or duodenal ulcers. Glycyrrhizin accelerates the healing of gastric ulcers and also has expectorant and antispasmodic effects. According to Dr. James Duke, the expectorant, antisecretory and antioxidant properties of licorice root make it a valuable herb for treating emphysema and chronic bronchitis, cases where uncleared mucous accumulates and irritates the lungs. Licorice root also provides significant benefits for men with prostate enlargement, attributed to compounds contained in the root that prevent the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), also beneficial for preventing baldness. The root also contains several phytoestrogens that support beneficial hormones in both men and women. Licorice root tea is also effective for treating heartburn and can be used externally as a hydrocortisone cream replacement for alleviating skin inflammations and psoriasis or internally against bursitis and tendonitis. A clinical study with 100 patients with early peptic ulcers using licorice root fluidextract for six weeks documented benefits in 90% of cases with 22% complete cure and 28% showing significant improvement based on X-rays (86 patients were previously unresponsive to conventional treatment). Licorice root also contains at least 25 different antifungal compounds, 20 antibacterial compounds (up to 33% of the licorice root dry weight) and has antiviral activity making it a potentially effective treatment for athlete's foot, body odor, Lyme disease and many other infections.

Active Ingredients: Licorice roots contain: 4-24% triterpenoid saponins including, largely, glycyrrhizin and the potassium and calcium salts of glycyrrhizic acid; ca. 1% flavonoids including liquiritin and liquiritigenin, chalcones isoliquiritin, isoliquiritigenin and isoflavonoids (formononetin); 1-2% amines asparagines, betaine and choline; amino acids; 3-15% glucose and sucrose; 2-30% starch; polysaccharides; sterols; coumarins (glycerin); resin; and 0.047% volatile oils. More than 30 different flavonoids and isoflavonoids have been identified from licorice roots including the phytoestrogens, formononetin and genistein.

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/84/98275.htm

March 29, 2004 -- A compound derived from licorice root may help slow the effects of aging on the brain and keep mental skills sharp.

Researchers found the compound, known as carbenoxolone, appears to inhibit an enzyme in the brain that is involved in making stress-related hormones, which have been associated with age-related mental decline.

The study, published in the online early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, showed daily supplementation with the compound improved verbal fluency in healthy elderly men and improved verbal memory in older adults with diabetes.

SOURCE: Sandeep, T. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, March 29, 2004, vol 101.

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/42/1668_50282.htm

Both licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and slippery elm (Ulmus fulva, which comes from the inner bark of the red elm tree), are what herbalists call "demulcents." They stimulate mucous membrane tissues -- such as those lining the throat -- to produce a protective coating of mucus.

In the throat, a demulcent protects against the friction caused by coughing. That prevents further irritation, which in turn reduces inflammation. This should make the throat feel better, as well as make it harder for infectious bacteria such as Streptococcus to penetrate the tissues.

The American Holistic Health Association Complete Guide to Alternative Medicine, and Recovering From Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.