HEALING PROPERTIES OF LICORICE

Licorice is a plant of many uses. The plant has many chemical constituents, one ingredient to have healing power. The two major compound are glycyrrhizin and flavonoids. The first compound contains anti-inflammatory property to control the inside and outside inflammation in the body. It is best choice for the treatment of arthritic pain and rheumatism. It inhibits the breakdown of cortisol.

Its anti-viral compound has the ability to help control bacterial and viral infection. Damaging micro-organisms can be found everywhere inside the human body. It brings diseases and makes the body sickly. Skin, lung and digestive diseases were formed due to the proliferation of bacteria in the body. It can be prevented by the use of potent drugs and other known medicines. Its flavonoid and chalcones found to be effective to heal the damaged cells in the digestive tract.

It gives protection to the liver cells against damaging free radicals. The notorious Helicobacter pylori found to be the culprit in the development of ulcers and inflammation in the digestive tract and the rest of the stomach.

It has soothing and coating agents in the digestive system especially the many kinds of ulcers. It helps relieve the persistent cough and soothe sore throat due to germ habitation.

Licorice found to be an ideal herbal alternative for the treatment of diabetes. It is good for respiratory disease due to long infection especially tuberculosis. Liquiritin is licorice extract. It is helpful to treat melasma known as pigmentation disorder of the skin.

Licorice was now produced worldwide into capsule and tablets for convenience. It was available in many drugstores of the country. There was topical application of liquiritin cream to be applied 2 times a day for about 4 weeks.

The chewable de-glycyarhizinated licorice tablet (DGL) can give the same effect using raw materials of licorice. Another licorice formulation is called standard licorice tablet that contains glycyrrhizin. It was normally used in the treatment of respiratory infection.

The DGL tablet was used in the treatment of ulcer especially those coming from duodenum. As anti-bacterial agents, it is best for the healing of canker sores and other gum problems. It was an effective mouthwash for bad breath.

To use licorice root capsules (6 grams per day) can give relief to chronic fatigue syndrome. If concentrated extract was used, 500 mg 3 times a day is enough.

Licorice tea was also available. To make tea, boil 14 grams of roots in 500 ml of water in the duration of 15 minutes. Drink 2 cups a day.

Herbal medicine has good and bad points. It has benefits and the risk. Side are common if application is not carried properly above the recommended dosage or the person is sensitive to the treatment or may affect his existing health conditions instead of healing them. For other people, taking licorice containing glycyrrhizin may increase blood pressure and cause water retention in the body.

 Taking 500 mg of it per day for about 1 week has effect by decreasing the serum testosterone levels of healthy individuals like men. The reaction is by blocking the enzyme important in the synthesis of testosterone.

Taking licorice has limitation especially for people that can’t tolerate such interaction inside the body. It is important to consult first with a doctor to determine  tolerance before taking any types of preparation.

Shield your body against many triggers that will cause unhealthy life. Staying healthy will depend on your initiative to consistently protect them.