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Licorice Root Stimulates/Regulates Adrenal Glands And More

20th June, 2010 - Posted by health news - No Comments

Licorice always brings to mind the red or black confection by that name. However, the candy actually contains little or no real licorice. However, the licorice root is rich in value. The name licorice actually comes from two Greek words meaning ‘sweet root.’ It is also called Chinese Licorice, Sweet Licorice, Sweet Wood, Kan-ts’ao, Gan Cao, Kuo-lao, and Yasti Madhu, and others. Used in proper doses, licorice is one of the most powerful herbs available today.

The licorice plant is obtained mainly from the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. The dried plants can grow to over four feet. The plant has bluish purple and white flowers that resemble the blooms of the sweet pea. The licorice roots are cleaned, ground, and then boiled. The curdled, very strong tasting extract is dried again. This is again, along with natural flavors, dissolved in water and formed in molds.

Licorice has been used medicinally for centuries, even millennia. The ancient Hindus believed it increased sexual vigor when prepared as a beverage with milk and sugar. Licorice has been discovered in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs, including that of Tutankhamen. In ancient Greece and Rome, licorice was employed as a tonic and also as a remedy for colds, sore throats, and coughs. As much as 3000 year ago the Chinese maintained that licorice root tea would give them strength and endurance. On this side of the ocean, in North American folk medicine, licorice was used as a cough suppressant, laxative, expectorant, and treatment for various cancers. Native Americans also used it to help with the pain in childbirth. Early pharmacists used licorice as a flavoring and sweetening agent in many of their syrups and lozenges. Today, licorice extracts are used in sugar free sweeteners for diabetics and those suffering from hypoglycemia. Recently a licorice sample dating from 756 A.D. was analyzed and found to still be potent. In Pontefract, Great Britain, local residents still celebrate a licorice harvest festival.

The value of licorice starts in its work as an antibacterial immune system stimulant. Its two fold punch comes from its intrinsic value, and its ability to cause other herbs to reach their full potential as well. One potent ingredient is glycyrrhizin, a substance that is 50 times sweeter than sugar. This substance also seems to stop the growth of many bacteria and viruses such as influenza A. Licorice is especially useful for general fatigue, a mucous membrane infection, radiation treatment, cancer, or immune suppression.

Licorice extracts are used extensively in tonics, cough drops and syrups, laxatives, antismoking lozenges, and other preparations. They are also used as flavoring other undesirable tastes in certain medicines. This is good enough reason to have licorice on hand when your children get sick.

Licorice is well known for its stimulus of estrogens, which means it helps during menopause. It is effective in dealing with both stomach and duodenal ulcers. It helps mucous membrane systems, and has a long history of use for upper respiratory infections. Licorice is effective in treating other problems such as (in alphabetical order) arthritis, asthma, athlete’s foot, baldness, body odor, bursitis, canker sores, chronic fatigue, depression, colds and flu, coughs, dandruff, emphysema, fungal infections, gingivitis and tooth decay, gout, heartburn, HIV, liver problems, Lyme disease, menopause, prostate enlargement, psoriasis, shingles, sore throat, tendonitis, tuberculosis, ulcers, viral infections, and yeast infections.

Besides glycyrrhizin, hundreds of other potentially healing substances have been identified in licorice as well, including compounds called flavonoids and various plant estrogens (phytoestrogens). Along this line, it is used to stimulate and regulate the adrenal glands and the pancreas. These work together because adrenalin helps control insulin. It acts as a natural cortisone or as a hormone that takes the place of cortisone. It helps injured voice muscles and helps voice improvement, either for hoarseness or throat damage. Licorice is a tonic for the intestinal tract. It acts as a mild laxative, and strengthens the heart and circulatory system.

You can partake of licorice in several ways. It makes an excellent tea and tincture. Of course, it can be used in other forms. For instance, you can put ground licorice root in capsules. It can also make other treatments more palatable. Feel free to add it to dishes in small amounts so as to add nutritional value without changing the flavor.

A few warnings are in order. It is best to use licorice is in combination with other bulk herbs. When used in excess, problems can occur. Licorice can cause water retention and can raise blood pressure. If you suffer from high blood pressure, prolonged use should be avoided. Licorice can also cause a mild unwanted adrenal stimulation. Avoid using too much licorice internally during pregnancy or nursing. Licorice also reacts with many prescription drugs. For this reason, if you are using other medication, consult with your doctor before taking licorice.