Introduction to licorice
When people say licorice, you may think candy. And you are not wrong. But licorice, and more specifically licorice roots, is so much more than that. It has been used since antiquity in natural medicine. Whether it is traditional Chinese medicine which makes it an elixir of long life and a source of energy, Roman medicine or that of ancient Greece, licorice roots are acclaimed for their medicinal properties.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a heat-loving herbaceous plant. This is why it grows mainly in Asia and southern Europe. It is its roots that are harvested and transformed for food (confectionery) or therapeutic use.
Properties and benefits of licorice
Licorice is good for your health provided you do not use it too long or in too large quantities. It draws its active ingredients from the presence of flavonoids, these polyphenols with antioxidant properties, useful for fighting against cellular aging (and therefore for skin problems such as eczema, urticaria, insect bites, erythema buttocks in infants…) and cardiovascular diseases. It is also rich in saponosides, which have an expectorant action very useful for treating respiratory ailments such as bronchitis, coughs, angina, colds. Glycyrrhizin in particular is both antiviral, antibacterial (against Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus especially), antifungal, immunostimulant, healing and has an antihistamine action (against allergies).
In addition, it contains phytosterols known to reduce the absorption of cholesterol by the body. It is therefore considered cholesterol-lowering and helps to detoxify the liver.
Finally, it helps to restore the acid-base balance in the stomach and therefore to fight against ulcers and burns due to gastritis (especially since it is myorelaxant and antispasmodic). It also acts on the intestinal mucosa, helping to repair it. This is why, in general, it is indicated in cases of digestive disorders (including gastroesophageal reflux – GERD), but also metabolic, inflammatory or infectious disorders in the context of menopause (except in people suffering from hypertension or otherwise by associating it with lemon balm).
Use of licorice
Licorice can be used in herbal medicine in the form of infusion, mother tincture, fluid extract, EPS (standardized fresh plant extracts), chewing sticks or gums. In other words, only internally. And not beyond a month to six weeks.
To calm respiratory inflammation, ulcers, colitis or even GERD, you can take an infusion of liquorice after each meal. For this, infuse in 400 ml of boiling water for 20 minutes 5 to 10 grams of dried liquorice roots (do not exceed 12 g of dried liquorice per day). Drink this preparation once or twice and repeat the operation another time during the day. Never exceed 10 days of treatment with this infusion (take a break of one week before possibly starting again).
You can also opt for 15 drops of licorice tincture in a glass of water twice a day. To ease the pains of the menstrual cycle, take them during the two weeks before your period.
Contraindications of licorice
Licorice should not be consumed in case of high blood pressure. This is because excessive consumption of licorice roots can cause a spike in blood pressure due to its glycyrrhizin content. Glycyrrhizin in prolonged consumption can also cause a drop in potassium levels and therefore cardiac arrhythmias as well as oedemas.
In addition, licorice is not recommended in patients with kidney failure, water retention and in pregnant women.
