Licorice

Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra): Used in Chinese therapy to help enhance important functions of the spleen, stomach, liver,  muscles and tendons. Licorice root has excellent properties to relieve pain and cramps of smooth or skeletal muscles. It moistens the lungs and stops coughs.

Liquorice roots exhibit a strong anti-viral effect.

In herbalism Liquorice is used in the Hoxsey anti-cancer formula, and is a considered adaptogen which helps reregulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. It can also be used for auto-immune conditions including lupus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis and animal dander allergies.

It also treats disorders such as shortness of breath, fatigue, sallow facial appearance, decreased food intake, loose stools, and diarrhea.

Liquorice affects the body's endocrine system. So use carefully.Liquorice (Licorice) is one of the most commonly used herbs in Western herbal medicine and has a very long history of use, both as a medicine and also as a flavouring to disguise the unpleasant flavour of other medications. It is a very sweet, moist, soothing herb that detoxifies and protects the liver and is also powerfully anti-inflammatory, being used in conditions as varied as arthritis and mouth ulcers.

The root is alterative, antispasmodic, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, laxative, moderately pectoral and tonic. The root has also been shown to have a hormonal effect similar to the ovarian hormone. Liquorice root is much used in cough medicines and also in the treatment of catarrhal infections of the urinary tract. It is taken internally in the treatment of Addison's disease, asthma, bronchitis, coughs, peptic ulcer, arthritis, allergic complaints and following steroidal therapy.

In traditional Chinese medicine, liquorice is commonly used in herbal formulae to "harmonize" the other ingredients in the formula and to carry the formula to the twelve "regular meridians" and to relieve a spasmodic cough.

It should be used in moderation and should not be prescribed for pregnant women or people with high blood pressure, kidney disease or taking digoxin-based medication. Prolonged usage raises the blood pressure and causes water retention. See also the notes above on toxicity. Externally, the root is used in the treatment of herpes, eczema and shingles. The root is harvested in the autumn when 3 - 4 years old and is dried for later use.

From the Spanimax List: "15 Top Herbs II"

References:

• Chinese Materia Medica; Stuart. Rev. G. A.
• A Modern Herbal; Grieve.
• Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants; Chiej. R.
• Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses; Bown. D.
• Plants Consumed by Man; Brouk. B.
• Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief; Winston, David; Steven Maimes.