Licorice Roots Help Problems With Hypoglycemia
Article by Thelma Oliver
The word ‘licorice,’ 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 ‘sweet 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 moderation, licorice is one of the most powerful herbs we have.
The licorice plant is obtained mainly from the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. The dried plants can grow to over four feet. The plant has bluish purple and white flowers that resemble the blooms of the sweet pea. The licorice roots are cleaned, ground, and then boiled. The curdled, very strong tasting extract is dried again. This is again, along with natural flavors, dissolved in water and formed in molds.
Licorice has well documented history. Licorice has been discovered in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs, including that of Tutankhamen. The ancient Hindus believed it increased sexual vigor when prepared as a beverage with milk and sugar. In Greece and Rome, licorice was employed as a tonic and also as a remedy for coughs, colds, and sore throats. Three thousand year ago the Chinese affirmed that eating the root would give them strength and endurance. They prepared a special tea of it for use as a medicine. In North American folk medicine, licorice was used as a cough suppressant, expectorant, laxative, and treatment for various cancers. Native Americans used licorice to alleviate pain for women experiencing a difficult childbirth. Early pharmacists used it as a sweetening agent and flavoring in many of their syrups and lozenges. Today, licorice extracts are used in sweeteners for diabetics and those suffering from hypoglycemia. Licorice stays potent for a long time too. A sample of licorice from 756 A.D. was found to retain its active ingredients. Licorice is so important in Pontefract, Great Britain, that they still celebrate a licorice harvest festival there.
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 as ingredients in cough drops, cough syrups, antismoking lozenges, tonics, laxatives, and other preparations. They are also used as flavoring agents to mask bad tastes in certain medicines. For this reason alone it is good to have around when children are sick.
Licorice is well known for its stimulus of estrogens, which means it helps during menopause. It is effective in dealing with both stomach and duodenal ulcers. It helps mucous membrane systems, and has a long history of use for upper respiratory infections. Licorice is effective in treating other problems such as (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 makes an excellent tea and can be used as a tincture as well. Of course, it can be used in many other forms. For instance, it can easily be ground up, and used in capsules. It can also make other treatments more palatable. You can also add it to dishes in small amounts so as to add nutritional value to the dish without changing the flavor.
Licorice is a powerful bulk dried herb. Therefore, it should be taken with caution. Licorice interacts with many prescription drugs. Therefore, if you are on other medication, consult your doctor before taking licorice. The best way to take licorice is combined with other herbs. Licorice could cause water retention and, especially with prolonged use, could raise the blood pressure. It also can cause adrenal stimulation when you don’t want it. Finally, avoid using larger amounts of licorice internally during pregnancy or nursing.
About the Author
Those who regularly use Licorice Root receive natural cortisone, relief from hypoglycemia, strengthened circulatory and more health boosting benefits. To find out more about this and other bulk dried herbs, visit More Than Alive – an online store and trusted resource for family health information.
