1 ounce $ 1.00

General Description: Licorice is a herbaceous perennial herb with horizontal underground stems or runners (stolons) and a long sturdy primary taproot. Grows up to 2 m high; the medicinal part is the dried roots, rhizomes and runners. Native to Eurasia and cultivated in Europe, Middle East and Asia.

Chemical Composition: Major active ingredient is the Triterpene glycoside glycyrrhizin, other constituents include flavonoids, isoflavonoids, chalcones, coumarins, triterpenoids, sterols, amino acids, amines and volatile oil.

Pharmacology or Biological Activities:
Licorice root is extensively used in Chinese medicine and exhibits the following pharmacological activities: immunostimulating, antiulcer, antarthritic, inhibition of tumor growth, anti inflammatory, anti allergic, antitoxic, antitussive, antiviral, anti fungal, anticonvulsive, antibacterial, estrogenic and mineral corticoid. The flavonoids show to have strong antihepatotoxic and antioxidant activities. Increases the production of interferon and natural killer-cell activity. Inhibits Epstein-Barr virus expression. Licorice is also a good tonic for the adrenal glands.

Traditional/Historical Medicine: Medicinal usage dates back several thousand years. The Chinese include licorice root in more formulas than any other herb. Licorice is commonly used as an antitussive, demulcent, expectorant and mild laxative. Traditionally used for treating jaundice, ulcers, sore throat, abdominal pain, insomnia, tuberculosis, sores, abscesses, and reportedly used in many countries to treat cancer.

General Cautionary: Persons currently using cardiac glycosides or have a history of renal failure or hypertension may wish to avoid the use of licorice root.

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References:

Herbal Tonic Therapies (Daniel Mowrey, Ph.D.)

Encyclopedia of common natural ingredients 2nd edition Leung & Foster

PDR for Herbal Medicines 2nd edition

Nursing Herbal Medicine Handbook

Herbal Medicine, Healing & Cancer A comprehensive program for prevention and treatment (Donald Yance)