Licorice: a very sweet root

The generic name for licorice, Glycyrrhizaclearly defines its characteristics by fusing Greek terms glyks or glukus (for sweet) and rhiza (by root).

The licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is started in autumn and in some areas during winter. You get from plants three or more years old and it is usually left to dry on the ground.

Licorice contains glycyrrhizinic acida substance considered fifty times sweeter than sugar itselfwhich explains why it has been used since ancient times as an irreplaceable element to sweeten foods.

But licorice alone is a remarkable natural medicinewith multiple therapeutic applications, and already in ancient Greece it was used to treat all types of respiratory conditions.

Licorice properties

In the composition of licorice we find the aforementioned glycyrrhizinic acid, saponins such as glycyrrhizinflavonoids and isoflavones such as glabrone, coumarins, phytosterols and glucose, among other active ingredients.

It is glycyrrhizin that gives licorice its sweetening, expectorant and anti-inflammatory action.

• Protects mucous membranes: licorice root It has the ability to protect the mucous membranes of the respiratory and digestive system, alleviating possible inflammationhelps heal stomach ulcers and inhibits gastric secretions.
• A great antacid: It has been revealed as an excellent remedy to relieve heartburn and gastrointestinal spasms.
• Relieves cough: No less important is how remedy against cough and respiratory conditionssuch as flu, laryngitis, bronchitis and asthma.
• Acts as a natural antibioticwhich prevents the body against the action of viruses and bacteria.
• Anti-inflammatory effect: Due to its anti-inflammatory virtues, licorice is also used to reduce rheumatic and arthritic painand in external use to treat wounds, sores, mouth ulcers and eye inflammations.
• Hormonal effect: Licorice is also considered a adrenal gland stimulant. Various studies have shown that glycyrrhizin has a chemical structure similar to corticosteroid hormones, which favors its formation and could be useful as an alternative to certain hormonal treatments.

How to use licorice root

A simple alternative is salivate the dried licorice root until it melts in your mouth. In this way it is achieved neutralize heartburn. With licorice we can drink different infusions:

Licorice infusion for cough

You can prepare a herbal tea with a formula that combines licorice with cough, Iceland lichen and poppytaking equal doses of the first three and half of the poppy, equivalent to one tablespoon per cup of water.

• How is it prepared: Boil for 2 minutes, infuse for 10 and drink a hot cup every 4 hours.

Infusion for heartburn

To relieve gastrointestinal spasms and heartburn, you can prepare a decoction by mixing equal parts licorice with pennyroyal, horsetail and shepherd’s pursein the proportion of one level tablespoon per cup of water.

• How to prepare it: Boil it for a couple of minutes, infuse it for 10 minutes and drink a cup after each meal.

Licorice for gastritis

Licorice extract stimulates the production of digestive mucosa thanks to its glycyrrhine. It also favors the alkalinization of the acidic environment in which the bacteria develop. Helicobacter pyloriso it can be useful in the event that this bacteria is the cause. Two pills or a small piece are taken twenty minutes after each meal.

Precautions for use and contraindications of licorice

• Prolonged consumption is not recommendedsuch as that which gastritis and ulcers would require, since certain side effects, as fluid retention and an increase in blood pressure.
• Therefore, they should avoid it patients with hypertension of renal origin, propensity to heart rhythm disturbancesin combination with cures to lose weight and in case of acute liver or kidney failure and prostatitis.

Advisor: J. Mª. Teixé, herbalist from “El Manantial de Salud”