Glycyrrhiza glabra/ Liquirita officinalis/Yashtimadhu/ Mulethi/ Chinese Licorice/ Gan Cao/ Sweet Wood
It was one of the most widely known medicines in ancient history, records of its use include Assyrian tablets of around 2000 BC and Chinese herbals of the same period.
Theophrastos of Lesbos, writing in the fourth century BC wrote that 'it has the property of quenching thirst if one holds it in the mouth'.
Dioscorides gave the plant its botanical name (Greek glukos = sweet, riza = root).
It is grown in India, Spain, Iran, Russia, China & Italy.
Licorice?s affinity f?r th? endocrine system m?k?? this herb remarkable, wh??h wh?n used judiciously ??n b? very helpful ?n treating many human ailments.
Th?? ?? b???u?? ?f glycyrrhizin wh??h h?? a structure similar t? hormones produced b? th? adrenal glands. The root enables the glands to produce more hormone cortisol that encourages the kidney to retain more water and sodium that thereby regulates blood pressure. In cases wh?r? th? adrenal glands d? n?t function normally, licorice comes ?n very handy. It stimulates th? adrenal glands ?nd ?? very useful ?n conditions l?k? Addison?s disease and other adrenal insufficiencies, such as hypoglycemia,wh?r? th? adrenal glands ????? t? function normally.
It? antiallergic effect m?k?? ?t very useful ?n treating allergic rhinitis, hay fever, conjunctivitis ?nd bronchial asthma.
Licorice h?? mild estrogenic properties ?nd ??n b? very helpful during menopause. It gets th??? properties fr?m th? steroid l?k? compounds present ?n ?t wh??h ??n change t? estrogen precursors l?k? estradiol ?nd estrone. Licorice ??n act ?? a mild laxative ?nd ??n ?l?? relieve indigestion ?nd heartburn b? lowering stomach acid levels.
Liquorice affects the body's endocrine system as it contains isoflavones (phytoestrogens).
It might lower the amount of serum testosterone slightly, but whether it affects the amount of free testosterone is unclear.
Licorice has an anti-inflammatory activity similar to cortisone and has been found useful for arthritis and allergies.
Licorice and DGL also have a demulcent action and have been used for coughs and other bronchial complaints. Glycyrrhiza is widely used in bronchial problems such as catarrh, bronchitis, cold, flu and coughs. It reduces irritation of the throat and yet has an expectorant action. It produces its demulcent and expectorant effects.
It is a potent healing agent for tuberculosis, where its effects have been compared to hydrocortisone.
Glycyrrhiza is also effective in helping to reduce fevers (glycyrretinic acid has an effect like aspirin). Animal studies suggest that licorice may reduce stomach irritation as well as the risk of stomach ulcers associated with aspirin.Licorice has an antibacterial action as well. Ghruta (Ghee) -indian clarified butter treated with Yashtimadhu should be used for the management of pain on a cut of a sharp weapon.
It is useful in the treatment of chronic inflammations such as arthritis and rheumatic diseases, anti-inflammatory, chronic skin conditions, and autoimmune diseases in general.
Th? herb ?? popularly used t? ease irritation ?nd f?r inflammation ?nd spasm ?n th? digestive tract. It is used as an aid for healing stomach and duodenal ulcers, and in moderate amounts may soothe an upset stomach.
Liquorice can be used to treat ileitis, leaky gut syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's desease as it is antispasmodic in the bowels. Th? herb acts ?n th? liver ?nd helps increase bile flow. Licorice ?t low doses ??n h?l? lower serum cholesterol levels b? stimulating th? liver t? manufacture cholesterol ?nd excrete ?t ?n bile.
Licorice ?? used extensively t? treat a variety ?f ailments wh??h include kidney cancer, tooth decay, toxic shock syndrome, addictions, Bell?s palsy, viral infection. In different countries ?f th? world th?? ?r? constantly finding n?w uses f?r th? herb. The licorice root is actually one of the most popular herbal remedies in the world alongside the ginger root. Traditional Chinese medicine used this plant to treat stress-related symptoms by boosting the adrenal gland functions of the body. It is also widely used in hypoglycemic patients to detoxify the body and to purify the blood and liver.
The compound glycyrrhizic acid, found in liquorice, is now routinely used throughout Japan for the treatment and control of chronic viral hepatitis Physicians ?n Japan u?? licorice t? treat hepatitis B ?? glycyrrhizin interferes w?th th? hepatitis B surface antigen. Licorice ?? synergistic w?th interferon against hepatitis A virus ?nd ?t ?? ?l?? used ?t times t? treat th? hepatitis C virus. Th? liver ??n b? protected fr?m th? harmful effects ?f chemotherapy w?th licorice, ??? researchers.
Licorice ?? quite useful ?n bringing back th? liveliness wh?n one ?? feeling tired ?r fatigue especially ?ft?r surgery ?r during convalescence. It ?? a g??d stress reliever - both physical ?nd emotional. Various scientific studies suggest that Yashtimadhu also acts as a memory enhancer and mental rejuvenator. According to Charaka "For rejuvenation of brain tissue i.e. to improve one's memory and analytical abilities the person should take Yashtimadhu powder with milk."
Licorice also has rasayana properties.
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.
China h?? found another u?? f?r licorice; licorice ?? used t? treat pesticide poisoning. Th?? consider licorice a powerful antitoxin. It ?? th?ught th?t licorice ??n ?l?? curb th? malaria causing parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Th? herb induces anti-inflammatory activity b? ?t? effects ?n adrenal steroids. Another ?m??rt?nt u?? f?r licorice ?? ?n helping t? prolong th? survival time ?f transplanted tissues. Also Licorice is known as an anti-viral agent that slows down the progression of the HIV infection.
In herbalism it is used in the Hoxsey anti-cancer formula, and is a considered adaptogen which helps regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. It can also be used for auto-immune conditions including lupus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis and animal dander allergies.
Liquorice may be useful in conventional and naturopathic medicine for both mouth ulcers and peptic ulcers. Liquorice is also a mild laxative and may be used as a topical antiviral agent for shingles, ophthalmic, oral or genital herpes.
Other health benefits of the plant include treating skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, canker sores and rashes.
Cautions:
Admittedly, the roots have their own share of side effects. Since the plant can raise blood pressure levels, people with high blood pressure should not use it as well as people with a history of diabetes, heart diseases, stroke, kidney diseases and glaucoma. Furthermore, it also induces the conversion of testosterone hormones into estrogen, which means that people with estrogen sensitive conditions such as breast and uterine cancer should not use it. Men who suffer from erectile dysfunction should also avoid the root as it?s known to decrease testosterone levels.
While some people can tolerate 5 to 6 gram doses of standard licorice per day, high amounts should not be congested for more than two to three weeks without medical supervision. The recommended dose is a 300 milligram tablet taken three times a day before meals.
Also excess consumption of licorice can lead to the classic symptoms of hypertension, with edema, increased blood pressure, potassium loss, and muscular weakness. The Deglycyrrhizinated form is most often used to avoid the hypertensive side effects of the glycyrrhetinic acid in whole Licorice. It has no toxic effect on human body when consumed in limited dosage.
The compounded carbenoxolone is derived from liquorice. Some studies indicate it may inhibit an enzyme in the brain that is involved in making stress-related hormones, which have been associated with age-related mental decline.
Consuming liquorice can prevent hyperkalemia. Large doses of glycyrrhizinic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid in liquorice extract can lead to hypokalemia and serious increases in blood pressure, a syndrome known as apparent mineralocorticoid excess.
Bio Energetics:
Rasa - Madhura (sweet)
Guna - Guru (heavy), Snigdha (unctuous)
Veerya - Sheeta (cool and calm)
Vipaka - Madhura
Effect on Tridosha:
It pacifies the Vata and Pitta bio humors i.e. useful in management of diseases resulting from aggravation of either Vata/ Pitta or both.
Actions according to Ayurveda:
Chakshushya- rejuvenator for eyes
Shukrala - improves quality and quantity of sperms in semen
Keshya - enhances the luster of hairs and make them look blacker than before
Swarya - improves voice
Bala varna krit - increases one's body strength and improves complexion
Kshayapaha - useful in managing under nutritive and emaciating conditions
Vajikara - increases sexual desire and power so useful in erectile disorders and premature ejaculation
Medhya - improves ones memory and analytical abilities
Vedanahara - a potent pain killer
Useful part: roots
Doses: powder 3-5 gm
Some combinations with Yashtimadhu: Yashtyadi kwatha; Yashtyadi choorna, Yashtimadhvadi tail.
