The word 鎲€icorice,?probably brings to mind the black or red candy in long sticks or bite-sized pieces. To be honest, the candy has little or no licorice in it. But its namesake is rich in value – primarily the licorice root! The name comes from two Greek roots meaning 鎲噖eet root.?Officially it is Glycyrrhiza glabra, Liquiritia officinalis but also known as Chinese Licorice, Sweet Licorice, Kuo-lao, Gan Cao, Kan-ts’ao, Sweet Wood, and Yasti Madhu, and others. When used in share our website moderation, licorice is one of the most powerful herbs we have.
The licorice plant can grow to over four feet with bluish purple and white flowers that resemble the blooms of the sweet pea. The plants are found largely in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. To process the root, the dried licorice roots are cleaned, share this site ground, and then boiled until the mixture is curdled. The strong tasting extract is dried again. This is given natural flavors, then dissolved in water and formed in molds.
Licorice has been used medicinally for centuries, even millennia. The ancient Hindus believed it increased sexual vigor when prepared as a beverage with milk and sugar. Licorice has been discovered in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs, including that of Tutankhamen. In ancient Greece and Rome, licorice was employed as a tonic and also as a remedy for colds, sore throats, and coughs. As much as 3000 year ago the Chinese maintained that licorice root tea would give them strength and endurance. On this side of the ocean, in North American folk medicine, licorice was used as a cough suppressant, laxative, expectorant, and treatment for various cancers. Native Americans also used it to help with the pain in childbirth. Early pharmacists used licorice as a flavoring and sweetening agent in many of their syrups and lozenges. Today, licorice extracts are used in sugar free sweeteners for diabetics and those suffering from hypoglycemia. Recently a licorice sample dating from 756 A.D. was analyzed and found to still be potent. In Pontefract, Great Britain, local residents still celebrate a licorice harvest festival.
Licorice is an antibacterial immune system stimulant. But it also causes other herbs to reach their potential as well. Licorice contains the substance glycyrrhizin that is 50 times sweeter than sugar. Besides sweetening, glycyrrhizin also seems to stop the growth of many viruses such as influenza, as well as bacteria. Licorice is especially powerful against immune suppression radiation treatment, mucous membrane infections, cancers, or general fatigue.
Licorice extracts are used extensively in tonics, cough drops and syrups, laxatives, antismoking lozenges, and other preparations. They are also used as flavoring other undesirable tastes in certain medicines. This is good enough reason to have licorice on hand when your children get sick.
Licorice is best known to some for its estrogenic effects, which make is a useful herb for menopause. Its antiulcer activity make gardenscapes hack tool cheats it an herb of choice for both stomach and duodenal ulcer problems. Because it stimulates expectoration and heals mucous membrane systems, it has a long history of use for upper respiratory infections. Licorice is used in treating many ailments, including (in alphabetical order) arthritis, asthma, athlete’s foot, baldness, body odor, bursitis, canker sores, chronic fatigue, depression, colds and flu, coughs, dandruff, emphysema, fungal infections, gingivitis and tooth decay, gout, heartburn, HIV, liver problems, Lyme disease, menopause, prostate enlargement, psoriasis, shingles, sore throat, tendonitis, tuberculosis, ulcers, viral infections, and yeast infections.
Besides glycyrrhizin, hundreds of other potentially healing substances have also been identified in licorice. These include compounds called flavonoids and various plant estrogens (phytoestrogens). Licorice is used to encourage and regulate the adrenal glands and the pancreas. Since the adrenalin helps control insulin, these work together. Licorice also acts as a natural cortisone or as a replacement hormone for cortisone. It helps voice improvement and injured voice muscles for both hoarseness or throat damage. Licorice also aids the intestinal tract, acting as a mild laxative. It strengthens the heart and circulatory system.
Licorice can be ingested as a tea or a tincture. You can also easily grind it up, and use it in capsules. It can also make other medications more palatable. Try sprinkling small amounts on dishes so as to add nutritional value to the dish without changing the flavor.
A few warnings are in order. It is best to use licorice is in combination with other bulk herbs. When used in excess, problems can occur. Licorice can cause water retention and can raise blood pressure. If you suffer from high blood pressure, prolonged use should be avoided. Licorice can also cause a mild unwanted adrenal stimulation. Avoid using too much licorice internally during pregnancy or nursing. Licorice also reacts with many prescription drugs. For this reason, if you are using other medication, consult with your doctor before taking licorice.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.