GLYCYRRHIZA- (Licorice)

(Leguminosae/Papilionaceae)

A genus of 20 species of sticky, summer-flowering perennials found in Eurasia, Australia, and the Americas. G. uralensis occurs in Central Asia, China, and Japan. G.  glabra, native to scrub in Southwestern Asia and Mediterranean regions, was an important herb in ancient Egypt, Assyria, and China, reaching Europe in the 15th century. It was introduced by Dominican friars to Pontefract, Yorkshire, which became famous for "Pontefract cakes", or "Pomfrets" (licorice lozenges). Licorice was well known to the Greeks for treating dropsy and preventing thirst. Its name "Glycyrrhiza" comes from the Greek words meaning "A sweet root;" Gerard grew it in his garden, as did Parkinson; Culpeper recommended it with Rosewater and Gum Tragacanth for hoarseness & wheezing. Mixed with Cascara it was frequently administered to children as a laxative; it was mixed with linseed for troublesome coughs.

Today, licorice is one of the most popular and versatile of Herbal Remedies. Internally, its anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic & anti-arthritic properties make it an excellent cortisone-like medicine, useful for weaning off orthodox steroid treatment, allergies & inflammatory problems; It has a long history of use for healing ulcers, and by lowering stomach acid levels it relieves heartburn and indigestion. It soothes irritation & inflammation throughout the digestive tract, and has a beneficial effect on the liver, lowering cholesterol and increasing bile flow. In the respiratory system it has soothing expectorant and anti-inflammatory actions, excellent for irritating coughs, asthma and chest infections. Its oestrogenic properties can be very helpful through the menopause, while the whole plant has the ability to improve resistance to stress.

Several different species and variants of licorice are used medicinally, including G. glabra var. typica (Spanish or Italian licorice), G.g. var. violacea (Persian or Turkish), and G.g. var. glandulifera (Russian). The main ingredient of G. glabra is glycyrrhizin, a substance 50 times sweeter than sucrose, with cortisone-like effects. G. lepidota (American or wild licorice) was used by native North Americans and by early settlers for problems with childbirth and menstruation. G. uralensis is a key herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine, its use being associated with longevity.

Glycyrrhiza echinata

(Russian licorice, Roman licorice)

A source of Russian and German licorice roots. Pods are covered with straight spines.

Glycyrrhiza glabra

(Licorice)

With a constituent - Glycyrrhizic Acid - that is 50 times greater that sugar, it is not surprising that licorice is mainly thought of as a candy. Yet it is also one of the most valuable of all Herbal medicines, a powerful anti-inflammatory that is effective in conditions as varied as arthritis and canker sores. It is among the most used herbs in European medicine and has been taken medicinally for several thousand years. It was taken in ancient Greece for asthma, chest problems, and canker sores.

Inflammatory conditions of the digestive system, such as Canker sores, Gastritis, Peptic Ulceration, and excessive acid problems, benefit from licorice's demulcent and healing properties, as do many Chest complaints, Arthritis, Inflamed joints, and some skin problems. Licorice is also soothing for Inflamed eyes.

Licorice stimulates the adrenal glands, helping in Addison's disease where the adrenal glands cease to function normally. Licorice is also useful as a gentle laxative.

Growing wild in southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia, it is now extensively cultivated. Source of most commercial licorice.

Variable perennial with stoloniferous roots, downy stems, and pinnate leaves, which have 9-17 often-sticky leaflets. Pale blue to violet pea flowers are borne in loose spikes, followed by oblong pods up to 1 1/4 in. (3 cm.) long.

HEIGHT: 5 feet (1.5m), SPREAD:  3 feet (1m).

PARTS USED: Roots, stolons (runners). An extensive system of taproot, branch roots, and runners can spread to 3 feet.

KEY CONSTITUENTS: Triterpene saponins (glycyrrhizin, up to 6%), flavonoids (isoflavones: liquiritin, isoliquiritin, formononetin), polysaccharides, sterols, asparagin, bitters, oestrogenic substances, volatile oil, coumarins, tannins.

KEY ACTIONS:  Anti-inflammatory, expectorant, demulcent, adrenal agent, mild laxative.

PROPAGATION:  By seed sown in autumn or spring, or by division in autumn or spring (plant root 4 in. (10 cm.) deep in plenty of well-drained soil and full sun), or by stolon cuttings in autumn or spring. Slow to grow from seed.

SPACING:  2 Square feet, or 12-36 inches apart in rows.

CULTIVATION:  Deep, rich, sandy soil in sun. Slightly alkaline, moisture-retentive conditions give the best results. Remove flower heads to encourage stronger roots and stolons, unless seed is required. Difficult to eradicate when well established.

HARVEST:  Roots and stolons are lifted in early autumn, 3-4 years after planting, and dried for decoctions, liquid extracts, lozenges, and powder.

PROPERTIES:  A very sweet, moist, soothing herb that is anti-inflammatory and expectorant, controls coughing, and has hormonal effects. It detoxifies and protects the liver. Contains Glycyrrhizin, triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids, bitters, oestrogenic substances, asparagin, volatile oil, coumarins, and tannins.

ECONOMIC:  Roots are boiled to extract the familiar black substance used in licorice candy, and is sold dried to eat. A basis for most commercial laxatives. Extracts flavor tobacco, beer, soft drinks, and pharmaceutical products, and are used as a foaming agent in beers and fire extinguishers.

MEDICINAL:  Internally for Addison's disease, asthma, bronchitis, coughs, peptic ulcer, arthritis, allergic complaints, and following steroid therapy. Externally for eczema, herpes, and shingles.

WARNING:  Not given to pregnant women or patients with high blood pressure, kidney disease, or taking Digoxin-based medication. Excess causes water retention and raised blood pressure. For use by qualified practitioners only.

RESEARCH:

Research shows that on being broken down in the gut, Glycyrrhizin has anti-inflammatory and anti arthritic action similar to hydrocortisone and other corticosteroid hormones. It stimulates the production of hormones by the adrenal glands and reduces the breakdown of steroids by the liver and kidneys.

Research in Japan in 1985 showed that glycrrhizin was effective in the treatment of Chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis.

Licorice as a whole reduces stomach secretions but produces a thick protective mucus for the lining of the stomach, making it a useful remedy in inflammatory stomach conditions.

Also, the isoflavones are known to be estrogenic.

KEY PREPARATIONS & THEIR USES:  (Do not take if anemic, suffering from high blood pressure, or in pregnancy).

Tincture:  For gastritis, add 1/2 tsp. to 100 ml. water, take twice a day.

Dried juice stick:  Chew for indigestion.

Powder:  Gently rub onto canker sores.

Decoction: For constipation, make a decoction with 1 part licorice and 3 parts Dandelion root. Drink 1 cup twice a day.

Fluid extract: Is prescribed for peptic ulcers.

Mouth & tongue ulcers:  Mix equal parts of the tinctures of licorice (G. glabra) and Echinacea and apply neat or diluted (1 part tincture to 5 parts water) every hour.

Persistent constipation: Mix 3 tsp. of Dandelion root and Yellow Dock (Taraxacum officinale and Rumex crispus), and 1 tsp. of licorice (G. glabra). Use the mixture to make a decoction with 750 ml of water and drink 1-2 cups a day.

Dry coughs in the throat & chest:  Make an infusion using equal parts of Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), Balm of Gilead buds (Populus x canicans), and licorice powder (G. glabra). Take 1/2 cup 6 times a day, or mix equal parts of each tincture and take 1 tsp. up to 5 times a day with water. Reduce the dosage as the cough eases.

Glycyrrhiza uralensis, syn.G. viscida

(Chinese licorice, Gan Cao, Manchurian licorice)

The most commonly used Chinese medicinal herb has been used for more than 2,000 years, occurring in almost all prescriptions. Benefits most organs, and improves the taste of all medicines. Considered one of the most important medicinal herbs in China. It is used to "harmonize" different herbs prescribed together, but it is also valuable in its own right. A sweet-tasting tonic with therapeutic properties similar to those of G. glabra, Gan cao is prescribed for sore throats, wheezing, coughs, canker sores, peptic ulcers, and gastritis. When prescribed for "deficient qi" states, it improves resistance and vitality. Gan cao also detoxifies inflamed skin. Grows in China, Mongolia and eastern Russia.

Erect perennial with extensive branched rhizomes and pinnate leaves up to 10 in. (25 cm.) long. Small violet flowers appear in dense, compact spikes, followed by curved, linear-oblong pods.

PERENNIAL , HEIGHT:  16-36 in. (40 cm.-1m), SPREAD:  12-24 in. (30-60 cm.).

PARTS USED: Roots (gan cao), rhizome.

CONSTITUENTS:  Contains triterpene saponins (especially glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid), flavonoids and isoflavonoids (including liquiritigenin and liquiritin), and chalcones.

PROPAGATION:  By seed sown in autumn or spring, or by division in autumn or spring, or by stolon cuttings in autumn or spring. Slow to grow from seed.

SPACING:  2 Square feet, or 12-36 inches apart in rows.

CULTIVATION:  Deep, rich, sandy soil in sun. Slightly alkaline, moisture-retentive conditions give the best results. Remove flower heads to encourage stronger roots and stolons, unless seed is required. Difficult to eradicate when well established.

HARVEST:  Roots and stolons are lifted in early autumn, 3-4 years after planting, and dried for decoctions, liquid extracts, lozenges, and powder.

PROPERTIES:  Associated with longevity, it benefits most organs. A sweet, tonic herb, stimulates adrenocorticol hormones, relaxes spasms, reduces pain and inflammation, is expectorant, controls coughing, neutralizes toxins, and balances blood sugar levels.

MEDICINAL:  Internally: For Addison's disease, asthma, coughs, and peptic ulcer; Externally: For acne (combined with flowers of Lonicera japonica), boils, and sore throat. Added to almost all formulas to harmonize and direct the effects of the various ingredients. Combined with Panax Ginseng as an energy tonic.

WARNING:  Precipitates many compounds, therefore considered incompatible with Daphne genkwa, Euphorbia kansui, E. pekinensis, and Sargassum fusiforme; reduces effectiveness of Coptis chinensis, Cordydalis solida, and Tetradium ruticarpum; increases toxicity of salicylates, ephedrine, adrenaline, oral hypoglycemics, and cortisone.    Contraindicated in pregnancy, hypertension, kidney disease, and for patients taking digoxin-based medication;    Excess causes water retention and raised blood pressure. Hormonal effects may cause impotence. For use by qualified practitioners only.

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