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Posted on Dec 30, 2005, 8 p.m.
By Bill Freeman
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Licorice is an extract prepared from the sweet-tasting dried roots and underground stems of a shrub that grows in subtropical climates. For more than three thousand years, licorice has been used to treat coughs, colds, congestion, rashes, arthritis, constipation, cancer, and hepatitis, and to promote healing of stomach and mouth ulcers.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Licorice is an extract prepared from the sweet-tasting dried roots and underground stems of a shrub that grows in subtropical climates. For more than three thousand years, licorice has been used to treat coughs, colds, congestion, rashes, arthritis, constipation, cancer, and hepatitis, and to promote healing of stomach and mouth ulcers.
ROLE FOR ANTI-AGING:
The herb’s natural sweetness and flavor (it is fifty times sweeter than sugar) are due to its high content of glycyrrhizin. Glycyrrhizin is also responsible for most of licorice’s medicinal properties, including its ability to reduce inflammation, soothe throat tissues and reduce allergy symptoms. The ulcer-healing compounds in licorice are thought to be flavonoids. They apparently work by promoting the overall health of the gastrointestinal system rather than reducing the secretion of stomach acid that triggers ulcers. One study found that licorice extract exerted a cytotoxic effect upon Nnitrosamines - carcinogenic compounds found in foods. While a recent Russian study discovered that the antitumor and antimetastatic effects of cyclophosphan (cyclophosphamide) are potentiated by licorice extract. This research implies that this commonly used herb may have useful anti-cancer properties.
THERAPEUTIC DAILY AMOUNT:
Retailers sell licorice in powders, capsules, lozenges, concentrated drops, tinctures, and extracts. Chewable tablets and other licorice products for extended anti-ulcer therapy now often contain very little (just 2% or less) of the active component glycyrrhizin (also known as glycyrrhizic acid). These degly- cyrrhizinated licorice (DCL) products cause fewer side effects and are much safer for long-term use than glycyrrhizin-containing licorice. An average dose of DCL licorice is 200mg.
MAXIMUM SAFE LEVEL: Not established
SIDE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Taking high or repeated doses of licorice extracts containing glycyrrhizin may cause serious adverse health effects related to salt and water retention (including elevated blood pressure). If you wish to use licorice medicinally, it is wise to discuss it with your doctor first. Some health authorities warn that you should not take licorice for more than four to six weeks without medical advice. Individuals with high blood pressure, glaucoma, diabetes, kidney, or liver disease; pregnant and nursing women; or those who are taking hormonal therapy should be extremely cautious if using the herb. People taking digitalis or who have had a stroke or who have heart disease should only take licorice under the direction of a doctor.
