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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.
- Whorwood CB, Shepard MC, Stewart PM. Licorice inhibits 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase messenger ribonucleic acid levels and potentiates glucocorticoid hormone action. Endocrinology 1993;132:2287-92.
- Soma R, Ikeda M, Morise T, et al. Effect of glycyrrhizin on cortisol metabolism in humans. Endocrin Regulations 1994;28:31-4.
- Beil W, Birkholz C, Sewing KF. Effects of flavonoids on parietal cell acid secretion, gastric mucosal prostaglandin production and Helicobacter pylori growth. Arzneim Forsch 1995;45:697-700.
- Amer M, Metwalli M. Topical liquiritin improves melasma. Int J Dermatol 2000;39:299-301.
- Morgan AG, McAdam WAF, Pacsoo C, Darnborough A. Comparison between cimetidine and Caved-S in the treatment of gastric ulceration, and subsequent maintenance therapy. Gut 1982;23:545-51.
- Kassir ZA. Endoscopic controlled trial of four drug regimens in the treatment of chronic duodenal ulceration. Irish Med J 1985;78:153-6.
- Bardhan KD, Cumberland DC, Dixon RA, Holdsworth CD. Clinical trial of deglycyrrhizinised liquorice in gastric ulcer. Gut 1978;19:779-82.
- Das SK, Das V, Gulati AD, Singh VP. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice in aphthous ulcers. J Assoc Physicians India 1989;37:647.
- Murray MT. The Healing Power of Herbs. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1995, 228-39.
- Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al, eds. The Complete Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, 161-2.
- Armanini D, Bonanni G, Palermo M. Reduction of serum testosterone in men by licorice. New Engl J Med 1999;341:1158 [letter].
- Josephs RA, Guinn JS, Harper ML, Askari F. Liquorice consumption and salivary testosterone concentrations. Lancet 2001;358:1613-4.
- Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, 161-2.
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
- Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J, editors. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council; Newton, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000.
- Bown D. The Herb Society of America New Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses. New York: DK Publishing, Inc.; 2001.
- Onstad D. Whole Foods Companion. White River Junction, VA: Chelsea Green Publishing Co.; 1996.
- Foster S, Yue C-X. Herbal Emissaries: Bringing Chinese Herbs to the West. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press; 1992.
- Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics. New York: John Wiley and Sons; 1996.
- Blumenthal M, Hall T, Goldberg A, Kunz T, Dinda K, Brinckmann J, Wollschlaeger B, editors. The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council; 2003.
- Fuhrman B, Volkova N, Kaplan M, et al. Antiatherosclerotic effects of licorice extract supplementation on hypercholesterolemic patients: Increased resistance of LDL to atherogenic modifications, reduced plasma lipid levels, and decreased systolic blood pressure. Nutrition. 2002:18;268-273.
- Ofir R, Tamir S, Khatib S, Vaya J. Inhibition of serotonin re-uptake by licorice constituents. Journal of Molecular Neuroscience. 2003:20(2);135-140.
- Armanini D, De Palo CB, Matterello MJ, et al. Effect of licorice on the reduction of body fat mass in healthy subjects. Journal of Endocrinological Investigation. 2003:26(7);646-650.
- Saeedi M, Morteza-Semnani K, Ghoreishi M-R. The treatment of atopic dermatitis with licorice gel. Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 2003:14;153-157.
- Strandberg TD, Javenpaa A-L, Vanhanen H, McKeigue PM. Birth Outcome in relation to licorice consumption during pregnancy. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2001;153(11):1085-1088. Cited by: Blumenthal M, Hall T, Goldberg A, Kunz T, Dinda K, Brinckmann J, Wollschlaeger B, editors. The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council; 2003.
- Cantelli-Forti G, Maffei F, Hrelia P, et al. Interaction of licorice on glycyrrhizin pharmacokinetics. Environ Health Perspectives. 1994;102:65-68. Cited by: Blumenthal M, Hall T, Goldberg A, Kunz T, Dinda K, Brinckmann J, Wollschlaeger B, editors. The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council; 2003.
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.
- BHMA 1983 British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, BHMA, Bournemouth.
- Bradley, P.R. (ed.) 1992 British Herbal Compendium, Volume 1, BHMA, Bournemouth.
- Grieve, M. 1931 A Modern Herbal, (ed. C.F. Leyel 1985), London.
- Hoffmann, D. 1990 The New Holistic Herbal, Second Edition, Element, Shaftesbury.
- Lust, J. 1990 The Herb Book, Bantam, London.
- Mabey, R. (ed.) 1991 The Complete New Herbal, Penguin, London.
- Mills, S.Y. 1993 The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine, Penguin, London (First published in 1991 as Out of the Earth, Arkana)
- Mills, S.Y. 1993 The A-Z of Modern Herbalism, Diamond Books, London.
- Ody, P. 1993 The Herb Society's Complete Medicinal Herbal, Dorling Kindersley, London.
- Polunin, M. and Robbins, C. 1992 The Natural Pharmacy, Dorling Kindersley, London.
- Weiss, R.F. 1991 Herbal Medicine, Beaconsfield Arcanum, Beaconsfield.
- Wren, R.C. 1988 Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations, C.W.Daniel, Saffron Walden.
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.
- Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J 2000. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Copyright American Botanical Council. Publ. by Integrative Medicine Communications, 1029 Chestnut Street, Newton, MA 02464. Pp. 233-239.
- Duke, J. 1997: The Green Pharmacy, The Ultimate Compendium of Natural Remedies from the World's Foremost Authority on Healing and Herbs. Rodale Press. pp. 81-82; 85; 98; 106-107; 133; 142; 162; 169; 180; 190; 224; 247; 292; 323-324; 385-386; 393-94; 446, 447, 449; 455; 490; 529-30; 545; 561.
- Khayyal MT, el-Ghazaly MA, Kenawy SA, Seif-el-Nasr M, Mahran LG, Kafafi YA, Okpanyi SN. 2001. Antiulcerogenic effect of some gastrointestinally acting plant extracts and their combination. Arzneimittelforschung 2001; 51(7): 545-53.
- Lauren DR, Jensen DJ, Douglas JA, Follett JM. 2001. Efficient method for determining the glycyrrhizin content of fresh and dried roots, and root extracts, of Glycyrrhiza species. Phytochem Anal 2001 Sep-Oct; 12(5): 332-5
- Razina TG, Zueva EP, Amosova EN, Krylova SG. 2000. [Medicinal plant preparations used as adjuvant therapeutics in experimental oncology.] [Article in Russian] Eksp Klin Farmakol 2000 Sep-Oct; 63(5): 59-61.
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.
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