Without a doubt, Licorice the native European herb is a long time favorite among both children and adults. Most commonly known for its sweet flavoring in candies and other treats, Licorice has proven for centuries to be an excellent expectorant.

In the 3rd century BC, the Egyptians became the first recorded culture to use this tall flowering shrub as a remedy for stubborn coughs and lung disease. In fact, a large supply of licorice root was found buried with King Tutankhamen. Hippocrates, the famous Greek physician, was said to revere licorice root for its numerous medicinal properties. Early records from Theophrastus, a Greek philosopher and a favorite pupil of Aristotle, further indicate that the Greeks learned about licorice from the Scythians (a nomadic group in Central Asia). Later, in the early first century AD, Pedanius Dioscorides, another Greek Physician, rightly named the herb Glycyrrhiza, meaning sweet root.

Although Licorice was originally found in parts of Southwestern Asia and Southeastern Europe, today it is extensively cultivated in Russia, India, Persia, Iran and Spain. As well, it continues to grow wild in Turkey and Greece. One species grows in North America, ranging from Western Ontario to Washington and south to Texas. A few scattered clusters have been spotted in the east, however, this species is not used for medicinal purposes.

Despite its widespread naturalization, there are still only two types of medicinal licorice: European licorice called Glycyrrhiza Glabra and the Chinese species called Glycyrrhiza Uralenis. This perennial of the pea family, can reach heights of seven feet, producing a series of widespread roots that look much like long tubular pieces of wrinkled brown wood on the outside, with a fibrous yellow inside. In early spring, farmers unearth the new roots then divide them to increase the crop. It then takes from three to four years for each plant to mature after which it is harvested in late autumn. Only the roots and stems are used.

Historical records dating to the Chinese Han Dynasty (around 206 BC), reveal licorice as the main ingredient in several remedies for respiratory infections and general coughs. As well, the Romans referred to licorice as Liquiritia, which eventually became the English word licorice. History recounts tales of Julius Caesar and his Roman Empire marching toward Britain around 55 BC, the soldiers carrying licorice root, most likely to treat coughs and colds brought on by the severe weather. Later, around 77 AD Pliny the Elder, a popular Roman scholar who published the first encyclopedia of Natural History, spoke of the healing properties of this herb.

Licorice also had a place in the Middle Ages where it was widely used by the Germans and the English. Records from 1424 show that King Henry IV commonly stocked licorice as a pharmaceutical for respiratory problems. Further medical records indicate that during the 15th century, licorice was a staple in most Italian pharmacies. From that point on, Italy became the centralized point for both medicinal and culinary licorice production, this species earning a reputation as the premier root.

It appears that all throughout history, the amazing respiratory effects of this root played an important role. Licorice has been used as combination therapy; as cough suppressants and expectorant. It has been very popular among the home remedies expectorants.

Today, besides being the best chest expectorant, licorice is also recognized for its many anti-inflammatory, anti-allergen and anti-arthritic properties that research shows are comparable to even cortisone. Even the National Cancer Institute has studied licorice root for it therapeutic possibilities. Researchers believe that the main constituent of licorice roots, glycyrrhizin is responsible for its exceptional expectorant properties. Because of its steroid actions, it is able to ease and prevent bronchial spasms and irritation that trigger coughs. It loosens and thins the mucus airways, encouraging a more productive cough whereby phlegm and mucus are easily expelled.¹

Research shows that glycyrrhizin, has a similar structure to hormones naturally produced by the adrenal glands. This substance, which is 50 times sweeter than sugar, works on the adrenal cortex by stimulating the production of such hormones as Cortisol (the hormone needed to fight stress). Glycyrrhizin then helps to slow the degeneration process of these adrenal hormones by the internal organs, making them more readily available when needed.

Glycyrrhizin is shown to have steroid-like properties similar to hydrocortisone and other corticosteroids. Licorice root also contains flavanoids and plant phytoestrogens that have estrogenic properties similar to estrogen but without the negative side effects, such as breast cancer, normally associated with elevated levels of this hormone. Studies on the effects of the phytoestrogens contained in licorice, show it to be a possible remedy for symptoms of PMS, such as bloating, irritability and breast tenderness.

Researchers conclude that these phytoestrogens may compensate for the natural decline in estrogen in aging women and as such, defer the effects of menopause. Consequently, there is some debate as to whether the phytoestrogens are useful as an anti-cancer agent for breast cancer, but research into this controversial subject continues. Animal studies do however show that glycyrrhizin may boost the immune system thereby preventing the risk of some cancers such as colon cancer.

Since licorice is recommended the natural health care product for most post menopausal issues due to its ability to regulate estrogen hormone level, it has also been found to be helpful in hair loss restoration. Licorice is generally included in most of the hair loss restoration formulas.

Licorice for hair loss
Equal parts of wild yam root, licorice, motherwort, black cohosh, chamomile, valerian root and skullcap can be taken as the safe herbal supplements for hair loss due to loss of estrogen production. All these herbs are known to simulate estrogen in your system.

Recent studies now suggest licorice could be a viable preventative for heart disease. Lincorice can serve as the alternative therapy for respiratory muscle weakness and hypertension. The herbal remedy has great potential for the hypertension control. Research has shown that Licorice is able to relieve Hypokalemia Symptoms.

Studies were conducted using patients with high cholesterol levels. After one month of treatment with licorice, it was shown that their LDL or bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels has declined significantly. Licorice also proved to lower systolic blood pressure by as much as 10 percent. Amazingly, after patients stopped the licorice treatment their blood pressure and cholesterol levels rose to previous levels.²

Further research reports that even small doses such as 100mg per day may have this effect.

Licorice has been extensively studied as a possible treatment for ulcers. It is found that stomach ulcers heal significantly faster when high levels of a chemical called prostaglandin are present in both the upper intestine and stomach. Thought the licorice does not contain prostaglandin supplements, studies show that licorice prevents secretion of corrosive gastric acid while reducing pepsin activity. In theory, this stops the enzymes that destroy prostaglandin.³

A study of 100 people suffering from recurring ulcers, 86 of which had not improved at all with traditional medications such as cimetidine, showed that after six weeks of treatment with licorice root, an astounding 90 percent had improved and of those, 22 had complete recovery.⁴

The active components in licorice root are also shown to support liver function. Studies using patients with hepatitis C or liver inflammation, indicate that those receiving an 80-240 mg per day dose of glycyrrhizin, after only one month showed significant improvement. Again, as with the results in heart disease studies, after the treatment was stopped, symptoms reverted to pre-study levels.⁵

Similar studies are being conducted in cases of HIV. Although these studies are in the preliminary stages and quite small, they suggest that intravenous glycyrrhizin may prevent replication of HIV.⁶

Japanese studies also show that glycyrrhizin can stop the growth of viral encephalitis in test tubes. Licorice creams are available which are applied directly to herpes sores three to four times per day.

Other uses of licorice include; as an ant-inflammatory for arthritis as well as depression, chronic fatigue, kidney problems, constipation, fever, sore throat and allergies.

Licorice is not all sweetness though, it is also a toxin. The licorice flavor in candies, especially those found in the US, is not actually licorice. It is anise oil, a substance that is strikingly similar in taste and smell to licorice, but has none of the same medicinal qualities.

In fact, an estimated 90 percent of the real licorice imported by the US is used in tobacco products to sweeten and flavor such things as cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco. The remainder is used in cough candies and pharmaceuticals like cough medicine. Ironically, the potential danger lies in the glycyrrhizin, the active medicinal ingredient also responsible for its wonderful healing abilities. Glycyrrhizin, in high doses or over a long period of time, is known to bring on a condition called pseudoaldosteronism, whereby the adrenal glands secrete too much aldosterone, potentially causing high blood pressure and possible heart failure.⁷

Some researchers surmise that one gram of licorice root per day is enough to cause potential problems. As a result, deglycyrrhizinated products are now being manufactured. These new products do not have the same healing properties as their former counterparts, but they are definitely less harmful. In fact, they have proven better for some conditions like ulcers, heartburn, cancer sores, or skin ailments than the glycyrrhizinated products, which are still highly recommended for respiratory, liver and other problems discussed earlier.

Licorice can be bought as a chewable wafer, tincture, lozenge, capsule, cream, dried herb for tea and as a liquid. It is important to look for licorice that contains a standardized extract of 22 percent glycyrrhizin or those labeled DGL (deglycyrrhizinated) depending on your symptoms. For most problems, 200 mg of the glycyrrhizinated capsules, three times per day is recommended, but the amount will vary according to the symptoms. It is always best to speak with a health professional especially in cases where there is a history of high blood pressure or if you are currently taking diuretics or steroid medications since the properties of the herb may adversely interact. It is also possible that some candies (especially European), chewing tobacco, sodas and cough medicines may contain licorice and if taken in excess, may cause serious problems. There are no known side effects for DGL however.

References:

1. Murray MT. “The Healing Power of Herbs”, The Enlightened Person's Guide to the Wonders of Medicinal Plants, 2nd ed. Rocklin, Calif: Prima Publishing; 1995:228–239.
2. De Klerk GJ, Nieuwenhuis C, Beutler JJ. “Hypokalemia and hypertension associated with use of liquorice flavoured chewing gum”. BMJ. 1997;314:731-732.
3. Borrelli F, Izzo AA. “The plant kingdom as a source of anti-ulcer remedies”. [Review]. Phytother Res. 2000;14(8):581-591.
4. Morgan AG, McAdam WA, Pacsoo C, Darnborough A, “Comparison between cimetidine and Caved-S in the treatment of gastric ulceration, and subsequent maintenance therapy”, Gut. 1982;23(6):545-551.
5. Luper S, “A review of plants used in the treatment of liver disease: part two”. [Review]. Altern Med Rev,1999;4(3):178-188.
6. Mori, K. et al, “Effects of glycyrrhizin (SNMC: stronger neo-minophagen C) in hemophilia patients with HIV-I infection”, Tohoku J Exp Med. 1990;162:183–193.
7. Wash LK, Bernard, JD, “Licorice-induced pseudoaldosteronism”, Am J Hosp Pharm. 1975;32(1):73–74.