Hand-drawn line art of a liquorice plant stem with small leaves.

Liquorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Liquorice root is a respected herb that has multiple applications and a long history of use since ancient Greece and Rome.

Over 134 different compounds have been isolated, imparting potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, phytoestrogenic and immune-stimulating benefits. This makes it effective against heartburn, acid reflux, nausea, indigestion, gastro-intestinal ulcers, leaky gut and irritable bowel syndrome.

Liquorice is also one of main adaptogen herbs to help improve stress response as it can effectively regulate cortisol. Its antibiotic and antiviral properties protect the immune system against infections, whereas the effective expectorant properties can bring fast acting relief to sore throats, coughs, colds and influenza.

Lastly, it also appears to have an estrogen-like effect in women, lending itself to the treatment of conditions such as PMS and menopausal hot flashes.

To this day, it remain as one of the most used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine, and its synergistic nature means it is often used in conjunction with other herbs to boost their effects

Part used:

Root

Energetics:

Sweet, moist, restoring, calming, relaxing, softening

Actions:

Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, adrenal tonic, demulcent, mucoprotective, antiulcer (peptic), antispasmodic, antiviral, mild laxative, antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, hepatoprotective, expectorant, anticariogenic, immunomodulatory, immunostimulant, antitussive, antiatherogenic.

Indications: 

  • Helps relieve chest complaints

  • Relief of digestive symptoms

  • Relief of inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal and urinary tract.

  • Rheumatoid arthritis, gout and allergic states

  • Liver damage

  • Addison’s disease (primary adrenal insufficiency)

  • Menopausal symptoms, endometriosis, ovarian cyst, PMOS, infertility, hyperprolactinaemia, androgen excess; weight loss

  • HIV/AIDS treatment adjuvant

  • Aids in the withdrawal of corticosteroid drugs

  • Depression, chronic stress

  • Eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis

  • Muscle cramps

  • Topically for recurrent mouth ulcers, post-operative sore throat (gargle)

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3123991/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24520776/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23663094/

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-881/licorice

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/licorice-root

Related Products: 

Liquorice root is used in our Digestive and Energy Tea.

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