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The Lowdown on Licorice

By: Joelle Applebe Licorice, officially known as Glycyrrhiza glabra, is a European plant belonging to the pulse family, Leguminosae. The root of the licorice plant when pounded or pressed manufactures a sweet substance for which it was widely known. Since ancient time, the licorice root has been used for medicinal purposes. It was used as a laxative and as a cure for coughs. It was also brewed for candy and for flavoring, like in some tobacco.

Licorice in Nature

The licorice plant is perennial, with blue, pea-shaped blossoms. True licorice is cultivated primarily in the Middle East, however there is a subspecies known as glycyrrhiza lepidota, or "wild licorice" that is native to North America. Most types of licorice are found in Persia, Southeast Europe and several Asiatic regions, and there are currently fourteen known varieties.

A truly beautiful plant, licorice has long graceful stems and pinnate leaves that spread slightly. Their tiny leaflets, resembling False Acacia, take on an almost feathery appearance from a distance. The leaves hang down on either side of the midrib when night falls. Small flowers grow from the axils of the leaves. Licorice flowers can be blue, purplish, pale blue, violet or yellowish-white. When fully mature, small pods form that look something like peapods.

Health Benefits of Licorice

Licorice has enjoyed an extensive history in the annals of herbal medicine and folk healing. Legends of the use of licorice are long and varied. In Ancient China, licorice was considered to be one of the most important herbs in traditional medicine. Used primarily as a demulcent for its soothing and coating effects in the digestive and urinary tracts, Chinese folk healers also used licorice to cure an array of conditions and diseases including tuberculosis and diabetes.

More recently, the licorice plant has mostly been used to treat coughs and sore throats. Of course, licorice is also favored as a flavoring. "Licorice" is a word derived from the Greek word meaning "sweet root".

More up-to-date studies have shown that licorice contains compounds, called glycyrrhizin and flavonoids. Glyccyrrhizin, according to some studies, has anti-inflammatory properties and may have inhibiting actions that hinder the breakdown of cortisol, an important substance produced by the body.

While it has not yet been proven to work with humans, licorice may also hold important anti-viral properties. The flavonoids found in this herb can act as powerful antioxidants that protect the liver and several other important organs. Closely related to flavonoids, chalcones are other components of licorice that may help treat digestive tract cells. Preliminary studies on the results of licorice have indicated that flavonoids can destroy ulcer-causing bacteria known as Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria responsible for many common stomach inflammations.

Liquiritin, an extract made from licorice, has been used as a treatment for melasma, a pigmentation disorder of the skin. According to a study conducted by medical researchers, 70 percent improvement is observed on melasma patients after a twice daily topical application of liquiritin cream for a duration of four weeks.

Buying Licorice

When buying licorice for health benefits, remember that there are two types available on the market. "Standard" licorice glycyrrhizin and is used to treat respiratory infections, herpes and chronic fatigue syndrome. The other type, called "de-glycyrrhizinated" licorice, is used to relieve ulcers and other conditions in the digestive tract.

Licorice is sold in capsules or in tablets. For canker sores, de-gycyrrhizinated licorice in powdered form is suggested.

Article Source: http://www.lifeweightloss.com

Joelle Applebe is happiest writing for a variety of web magazines, on health diet fitness and alternative health themes.
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