Holistic Medicine and StudiesLicorice Root Extract
Here’s yet another herbal remedy you might already be somewhat familiar with: licorice. Although you might recognize its flavor from the bittwersweet candy bearing its name, these days, that candy doesn’t usually contain licorice. It gets its flavor from anise oil. The flavor is very similar, but the properties are quite different.
In Chinese medicine, licorice is used to reduce inflammation, soothe coughs, control blood sugar and balance hormones. It is believed to act as an antiviral agent and is often used to treat the flu, herpes and hepatitis. Licorice is also used to treat ulcers. Unlike most ulcer medications, licorice does not reduce the amount of stomach acids, but it does strengthen the mucosal layer that protects your stomach from being damaged by these acids.
Aside from all of its potential healing, licorice actually tastes pretty darn good. I sometimes ad a few drops of licorice extract to an herbal tea. It imparts a sweetness to the tea, so I don’t even have to use a sweetener. Licorice contains a component called glycyrrhizin, which is 30 to 60 times sweeter than sugar. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory component. It is believed to increase the length of time that cortisol circulates through the body, which decreases overall inflammation. In contrast to most anti-inflammatory drugs, licorice does not suppress the immune system. If this all sounds too good to be true, please read on. There are some potential side effects to consuming licorice extract, and there are also certain groups of people who should avoid it altogether.
Just like synthetic cortisone replacements, licorice can cause weight gain, fluid retention and high blood pressure. You should always consult a doctor or naturopath before taking any herbal remedy, but in this case, it’s especially important if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart disease. In these cases, the licorice may cause your blood pressure to rise to a dangerous level.
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