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Family: Fabaceae
Scientific name: Glycyrrhiza glabra
Kingdom: Plantae
Higher classification: Licorices
Order: Fabales
Rank: Species
Common Names: licorice root, licorice, liquorice, sweet root, gan cao, gan-zao, Chinese licorice
Latin Names: Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza uralensis
Due to its sweet flavor, licorice is also popular as a sweetener in candies, and manufacturers sometimes use it to mask the flavor of medications. Some licorice candy does not contain any part of the licorice plant but uses anise oil as a flavoring instead because it tastes and smells similar to licorice.
Licorice is available in many forms, including herbal teas, candies, capsules of dried herb, and liquid extract.
What preparations of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) are available?
Licorice roots are available as tablets, powder, and liquid formulations. Concentration of licorice may vary from product-to-product due to multiple manufacturers producing various products. Check the licorice product for the actual amount of licorice contained in the product. Often these products are supplemented with anise oil which has a similar smell and taste.
Healing substances
Hundreds of potentially healing substances have been identified in licorice as well, including compounds called flavonoids and various plant estrogens (phytoestrogens). The herb's key therapeutic compound, glycyrrhizin (which is 50 times sweeter than sugar) exerts numerous beneficial effects on the body, making licorice a valuable herb for treating a host of ailments. It seems to prevent the breakdown of adrenal hormones such as cortisol (the body's primary stress-fighting adrenal hormone), making these hormones more available to the body.
It has a well-documented reputation for healing ulcers. It can lower stomach acid levels, relieve heartburn and indigestion and acts as a mild laxative.
It can also be used for irritation, inflammation and spasm in the digestive tract. Through its beneficial action on the liver, it increases bile flow and lowers cholesterol levels.
Boosts immune system
Licorice also appears to enhance immunity by boosting levels of interferon, a key immune system chemical that fights off attacking viruses. It also contains powerful antioxidants as well as certain phytoestrogens that can perform some of the functions of the body's natural estrogens; very helpful during the menopause. Glycyrrhizinic acid also seems to stop the growth of many bacteria and of viruses such as influenza A.
Relieves pain and stress
It has an aspirin-like action and is helpful in relieving fevers and soothing pain such as headaches. Its anti-allergenic effect is very useful for hay fever, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and bronchial asthma. Possibly by its action on the adrenal glands, licorice has the ability to improve resistance to stress. It should be thought of during times of both physical and emotional stress, after surgery or during convalescence, or when feeling tired and run down
Licorice eases congestion and coughing by helping to loosen and thin mucus in airways; this makes a cough more "productive," bringing up phlegm and other mucus bits. Licorice also helps to relax bronchial spasms. The herb also soothes soreness in the throat and fights viruses that cause respiratory illnesses and an overproduction of mucus, such as irritating coughs, asthma and chest infections.
According to test tube studies conducted at Chung Shan Medical University in Taiwan, the glycyrrhizic, asiatic, and oleanolic acids found in licorice root have an antyoxidant effect that is protective of the cells in the bronchi in the lungs.5
This suggests that licorice may help slow (rather than stop or reverse) the progression of COPD when used with standard medical treatments. Further human research would be needed to support these results.
Some scientists believe that the antioxidative properties of licorice may help reduce the risk of certain cancers, most predominately colorectal cancer. While the bulk of research has been limited to the animal or test tube studies, some of it has been promising.6
Licorice root is a mainstay home remedy for women with menstrual cramps and is also believed to help alleviate many of the adverse symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes.
Licorice contains phytoestrogens, plant-based compounds that mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. Despite evidence of their benefits, it is still unclear how well the phytoestrogens in licorice root work, if at all.7
Glycyrrhizin may help treat hepatitis C, a virus that infects the liver. Without treatment, hepatitis C can cause inflammation and long-term liver damage. Researchers have reported that glycyrrhizin demonstrates antimicrobial activity against hepatitis C in cell samples and may hold promise as a future treatment for this virus.
Doctors in Japan use an injectable form of glycyrrhizin to treat people who have chronic hepatitis C that does not respond to other treatments. The results of laboratory studies in Japan suggest that it may be helpful for this.
Eczema is the term for a group of skin conditions that, according to the National Eczema Association, affect over 30 million people in the United States.
Eczema can cause itching, redness, scaling, and inflammation.
Glycyrrhiza glabra extract, or licorice root extract, may be effective against bacteria that can infect the skin, according to a study in the Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research.
The study showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, which can cause skin infections, such as impetigo, cellulitis, and folliculitis. In this study, the researchers used extracts from the leaves and roots of the plant.