Licorice Root was named by the Greeks from the words glukus, meaning “sweet”, and riza meaning “root”. Therefore the name simply means “Sweet root”. This refers to the sweet taste of the roots. Licorice root is known for its sweetness, 50 times sweeter than sugar. As a matter of fact, I don’t know if its sweetness supersedes its medicinal properties.
There is almost as much documentation of its sweetness as its thirst quenching abilities. Historians record that Alexander the Great added Licorice root in his troops’ supplies so they could chew on in battle to slake thirst and to keep their energy up. It is said that it helped them win battles. Talk about the sweetness of victory! Early squire thinkers in the likes of Hippocrates, Theophrastus, and Pliny all supported Licorice root’s beneficial properties in their writings.
The use of Licorice is historically impressed on many civilizations: the ancient Assyrians used it; Romans loved it, the Greeks named it; Egyptians held it in high esteem; the Chinese mastered it, while the English introduced it to Native America and beyond.
They employed it in treating earaches, lung congestions, and colds; as well as to mask the bitter tastes of some herbs. To the Egyptians is a sweetener and thirst quencher; to the Greeks a healer of sore throats, menstrual cramps, arthritis, respiratory problems, and fever reducer. The Chinese hailed it “The Great Detoxifier”; using it to increase energy levels and endurance even in present day. It was part of the first Chinese herbal. Licorice become popular in fifteenth century Europe, it could be seen being chewed on the streets of Italy and Spain.
The constituent responsible for its sweetness, and consequently popularity is also its main active ingredient known as glycyrrhizic acid. Glycyrrhizic acid has gained a lot of ink amongst modern scientists and researchers. It is known to be 50 times sweeter than sugar cane, but without the thirst-inducing effects. Glycyrrhizic acid is a glycoside taking up to 20% of the Licorice plant. It has been used to extend the sweetness of sugar in chocolates.
However, this must not be mistaken for Licorice flavoring in candies, which is made of Anise oil and sugar. Real Licorice extract has been shown to produce estrogenic effects, useful in the treatment of menstrual cramps and menopause. Its most notable property is hormonal. Glycyrrhizin or glycyrrhizic acid provides identical effects as the natural hormones hydrocortisone and other corticosteroid hormones.
Glycyrrhizin has the same chemical structure as the human steroid hormone, which assists the body handle stress giving a general feeling of well-being. This is buttressed by its ability to raise blood sugar levels to normal ranges. It achieves this by stimulating the adrenals without depleting them.
This is especially important as it stimulates adrenal hormone production and minimizes steroid metabolism by the kidneys and liver (an action responsible for the Japanese-winning treatment for chronic hepatitis B and cirrhosis of the liver). It is made possible by glycyrrhizin’s ability to prevent viral multiplication, while protecting the liver. It decreases the body’s conversion of cortisol (also called hydrocortisone) into cortisone (a less active hormone).
Botanical name: Glycyrrhiza glabra
Description: A hardy perennial plant ranging up to two meters tall. It stands erect with light, gracefully-spreading pinnate foliage and dark green oblong leaflets. It displays violet to lavender colored flowers in mid-summer bloom. The taproots (brown exterior and yellow interior) grow up to four feet branching out and tangling each other. Feet that branch out to form a tangled mess.
Properties: Anodyne, Antioxidant, Antispasmodic, Anti-inflammatory, Antiviral, Anti-bacterial, Demulcent, Depurative, Diuretic, Emollient, Estrogenic, Expectorant, Pectoral.
Origin: Greece. First record of use is of the Greeks, in treating gastric and peptic ulcers. Licorice flavorings have existed as far back as the ancient Assyrians. Use also evident in Chinese and Roman Herbology, as well as Arabian medicine.
Aliases: Licorice Root. Sweet Wood. Sweetwort, Liquorice
Useful Parts: Roots.
Uses: Treatment of coughs, colds, diabetes, fatigue, asthma, flu, hypoglycemia, arthritis, bronchitis, Addison’s disease, adrenal problems, edema, and liver disorders. To relief lack of endurance, inhibited sex drive, menopausal problems, poor circulation, and ulcers.
Forms: Encapsulated, Extracts, Herbal combinations and formulas, Powders, Edible Sticks, Teas, Tinctures.
Caution: Consumed in large amounts over several days may cause headaches, fatigue, loss of potassium, increased sodium, increased blood pressure and even heart failure. Small amounts, like amounts taken in capsules may not cause problems, but cumulative effects must be considered.
Translation: it protects the liver from damage, and stimulates and sustains adrenal function, all at the same time. An unmatched one-two punch.
Glycyrrhizin also possesses anti-inflammatory properties which are key to healing of many health conditions such as arthritis, hepatitis, and dermatitis. Licorice root helps normalize ovulation in women, especially in cases of infrequent menstruation. It also balances menstrual flow; increases milk production, endurance, strength, and sexual activity. It is known as a “female herb” for these reasons.
Licorice root is effective against immune-response deficiency diseases. It has the capability to stimulate production of interferon, an essential chemical component of the immune system, and key to treating and preventing a myriad of immune deficiency diseases. Various researches have shown the herb to reduced triglyceride accumulation in the liver, increase glycogen levels in the liver and muscles, inhibit cirrhosis development, and prevent the growth of lesions in the liver.
Licorice is rich in magnesium, silicon, and sodium. It is also high in chromium, cobalt, iron, potassium, and niacin (B3); and contains lots of mucilage. This, perhaps, buttresses its soothing and anti-inflammatory qualities.
Licorice’s high mucilage content is responsible for the herb’s ability to soothe mucus membranes (especially in the stomach), and remedy gastrointestinal problems such as gastritis, peptic ulceration, and excessive stomach acid. It also relaxes muscle spasms, enables the body to expel phlegm, strengthens the adrenal glands, acts as a mild laxative, and lowers cholesterol.
Sadly, most of the Licorice imported into America is used to sweeten tobacco and cough syrups. Only a minute proportion of imports are utilized for their medicinal properties. However, herbal supplement companies such as Nature’s Sunshine Products provide the herb in encapsulated forms, as well as extracts. NSP’s Licorice Root Extract is in a distilled water and grain alcohol base.
Large amounts of Licorice eaten or used over several days may cause headaches, fatigue and weakness, loss of potassium, increased sodium and water, and increased blood pressure. It can cause heart failure. There have been reported cases of high content of Licorice from chewing Licorice-sweetened tobacco. It is advisable to use Licorice root with potassium in cases where high blood pressure is a problem.