16501

Submitted by admin on Mon, 02/28/2022 - 02:46
Top Product Attributes

  • Common Name

    Liquorice, Licorice (Alternative American Spelling)

  • Botanical Name

    Glycyrrhiza glabra

  • Part Used

    Root

  • Clinical Summary

    Click here

  • Monograph

    Click here

  • Alcohol

    20%

  • Dose

    15 to 100mL weekly

Liquorice has a rich history and has been used medicinally for more than 4000 years. It is a demulcent that soothes mucous membranes relieving the common twin symptoms of sore throats and coughs, especially those dry and irritating coughs that can keep people up all night. It is also commonly used to soothe the digestive tract including symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and digestive ulcers. It an adaptogen for people with adrenal insufficiency who have symptoms of fatigue, tiredness upon waking up in the morning, elevated cortisol and blood sugar levels, and frequent colds

Main Product Attributes
A guide to Liquorice and its properties

  • Traditional Use

    Liquorice has been traditionally used in herbal medicine as an expectorant helping to relieve complaints such as catarrhs, coughs and bronchitis, to support gastric function (dyspepsia) and inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, such as gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers in adults.

  • Actions

    Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, adrenal tonic, mucoprotective, demulcent, antiulcer (peptic), antispasmodic, mild laxative, antiviral, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, expectorant, antitussive,  immunostimulant, immunomodulator

  • Indications

    •    Viral infections, chest complaints
    •    Digestive symptoms, liver damage and inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal and urinary tract.
    •    Rheumatoid arthritis, gout and allergic states
    •    Addison’s disease (primary adrenal insufficiency), HIV/AIDS treatment adjuvant
    •    Menopausal symptoms, endometriosis, ovarian cyst, PCOS, infertility, hyperprolactinaemia, androgen excess, weight loss, muscle cramps
    •    Aids in the withdrawal of corticosteroid drugs
    •    Depression, chronic stress
    •    Eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis
    •    Topically for recurrent mouth ulcers, post-operative sore throat (gargle)

  • Energetics

    Sweet, moistening, neutral

  • Use in Pregnancy

    Contraindicated.

  • Contraindications & Cautions

    Should be used with caution in people with (or a genetic predisposition to) hypertension or fluid retention, and is contraindicated in hypotonia, severe renal insufficiency, hypokalaemia, liver cirrhosis and cholestatic liver disease. The effects are likely to be dose-dependent. As it may questionably reduce testosterone levels in men, caution should be used in men with a history of impotence, infertility or decreased libido. Precaution should be taken with people with prolonged gastrointestinal transit time, anorexic and elderly patients. Patients on high doses for a prolonged period (>2 weeks) should be placed on a low sodium, high potassium diet. Excessive or prolonged ingestion has resulted in symptoms of an apparent “mineralocorticoid excess syndrome” typical of primary hyperaldosteronism, namely hypertension, sodium, chloride and water retention, hypokalaemia and weight gain, but also in low levels of plasma renin activity, aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone. This can be abated after cessation of intake, adequate potassium replacement and spironolactone therapy.

  • Drug Interactions

    Caution with cisplatin (chemotherapy medication), corticosteroids, cyclosporin (an immunosuppressant medication), digoxin, diuretic drugs (thiazide and loop), laxatives including herbal laxatives, oestrogens (including oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy), warfarin and antihypertensive drugs. Combining with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be beneficial.

  • Dietary Information

    Vegan friendly. Gluten and dairy free

  • Substitutes

    Aniseed, Fennel, Ivy Leaf, Mullein, Ribwort, Thyme, Rehmannia