Symmetry Products with Licorice:
Clarity, Female Balance, Male Balance, Tranquility, New Attitude,
ParaCleanse, Extreme Fuel, Extreme Ignition, Thermo Balance, Future
Star, Simply Slym, Genesis
Licorice is a perennial herb native
to southern Europe, Asia and the Mediterranean. The herb is
extensively cultivated in Russia, Spain, Iran and India. Licorice is
one of the most popular and widely consumed herbs in the world.
Although many know this herb for its flavoring in candy, licorice is
believed to contain many health benefits. Ancient cultures on every
continent have used licorice, with the first recorded use by the
Egyptians in the 3rd century BC. The Egyptians and the Greeks
recognized the licorice herb's benefits in treating coughs and lung
disease. Licorice is the second most prescribed herb in China,
followed by ginseng; it is suggested for dealing with the spleen,
liver and kidney. The Japanese use a licorice preparation to control
hepatitis.
The most common medical use for licorice is for supporting upper
respiratory tract health.
The main constituent found in the
root is glycyrrhizin. The plant also contains various sugars (14%),
starches (30%), flavonoids, saponoids, sterols, amino acids, gums,
and essential oil. Glycyrrhizin, stimulates the secretion of the
adrenal cortex hormone aldosterone.
Licorice is effective as a cough suppressant. Licorice rhizomes have
a high mucilage content which, when mixed with water or used in
cough drops, soothe mucous membranes. Licorice apparently also has
an expectorant effect which increases the secretion of the bronchial
glands. Licorice is thought to be effective to soothe throat, lung,
and bronchial membranes.
Homeopathic use of licorice for gastric irritation dates back to the
first century. Today, herbal preparations are used to support the
digestive system. Rarely used alone, licorice is a common component
of many herbal teas as mild laxative, a diuretic, and for
flatulence. Licorice has also been known to soothe joints and
support normal blood sugar. The licorice root extract produces mild
estrogenic effects, and it has proven useful in supporting stress of
menopause and menstruation.
The constituent glycyrrhizin is 50 times sweeter than sugar, making
it a widely used ingredient in the food industry. The distinctive
flavor of licorice makes it a popular additive to baked confections,
liqueurs, ice cream and candies. Licorice is also widely used in
medicines to mask bitter tastes and also to prevent pills from
sticking together.
Licorice has also been used in poultices for control of dermatitis
and skin infections. It helps to open the pores and is used in
combination with other cleansing and healing herbs as an emollient.
Licorice is an ingredient in many cough medicines and a popular and
well known remedy for bronchial distress. Licorice can have a
beneficial effect on digestive processes.
Other Licorice Information:
Title: Phytochemicals:
guardians of our health.
Medical Journal: Journal of the American Dietetic Association
1997 Oct;97(10 Suppl 2):S199-S204
Author: Craig WJ
Abstract: Consuming a diet rich in plant foods will provide a milieu
of phytochemicals, non-nutritive substances in plants that possess
health-protective benefits. Nuts, whole grains, fruits, and
vegetables contain an abundance of phenolic compounds, terpenoids,
pigments, and other natural antioxidants that have been associated
with protection from and/or treatment of chronic disease such as
heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and hypertension as well as other
medical conditions. The foods and herbs with the highest anticancer
activity include garlic, soybeans, cabbage, ginger, licorice, and
the umbelliferous vegetables.
The sugar of Licorice may safely be
taken by diabetic patients.
Licorice is also known as Liquorice.
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