What are the advantages and disadvantages of licorice root?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of licorice root?
liquorice comes from western Asia and southern Europe and has long been used to
treat various diseases and to flavor sweets, drinks and medicines.
Despite this
history, only a few of its uses are supported by scientific research. In
addition, licorice can pose various health risks.
How do we use liquorice root?
The
medicinal use of licorice comes from ancient Egypt, where the root became a
sweet drink for the pharaohs.
It has also
been used in traditional Chinese, Middle Eastern, and Greek medicines to
relieve stomach upset, reduce inflammation, and treat upper respiratory
problems.
Contemporary use
Many people
today use licorice root to treat diseases such as heartburn, acid reflux, hot
flashes, coughs, and bacterial and viral infections. It is regularly available
in the form of a capsule or a liquid supplement.
In addition,
licorice tea is said to relieve sore throat, while topical gels are said
to treat skin conditions such as acne or eczema.
In addition,
licorice is used to flavor certain foods and beverages.
Plant substances
Though it
contains hundreds of phytonutrients, glycyrrhizin is the main active ingredient
in the licorice root.
Glycyrrhizin
is responsible for the sweet taste of the root as well as for its antioxidant,
anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
However,
glycyrrhizin is also associated with many side effects of licorice root. As a
result, some products use deglycyrrhizinized licorice (DGL) from which
glycyrrhizin has been removed.
Possible benefits
Current
research results are promising for some of the medical uses of licorice root.
It can help skin conditions.
The licorice
root contains over 300 compounds, some of which have strong anti-inflammatory,
antibacterial and antiviral effects.
the licorice
root extract is used to treat a variety of skin conditions, including acne and
eczema.
In a
two-week study in 60 adults, the use of a topical gel with licorice root
extract significantly improved eczema.
Although
topical licorice gels have also been used to treat acne, research on their
effectiveness has been mixed and quite limited.
It can reduce acid reflux and indigestion.
The licorice
root extract is often used to relieve indigestion such as acid reflux, upset
stomach, and heartburn.
In a 30-day
study of 50 adults with indigestion, taking a 75 mg licorice capsule twice
daily resulted in a significant improvement in symptoms compared to placebo.
Licorice
root extract can also relieve symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD), including acid reflux and heartburn.
study in 58
adults with GERD found that daily use of licorice root was more effective in
relieving symptoms than commonly used antacids for 2 years.
Although
these results are promising, further human studies are needed.
Can help treat stomach ulcers
Stomach
ulcers are painful sores that develop in the stomach, in the lower esophagus,
or in the small intestine. They are usually caused by inflammation from the H.
pylori bacteria.
Licorice
root extract and its glycyrrhizin can help treat ulcers.
A study in
mice found that doses of licorice extract of 91 mg per pound (200 mg per kg)
body weight were better protected against these ulcers than omeprazole, a
common medication for stomach ulcers.
Although
more research is needed in humans, a two-week study in 120 adults showed that
eating licorice extract in addition to standard treatment significantly reduced
the presence of H. pylori.
May have anti-cancer properties
Due to its
content of many plant substances with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
effects, licorice root extract has been examined for its protective effect
against certain types of cancer.
Particularly,
licorice extract and the compounds have been connected to slowing or protecting
against cell growth in pores and skin, breast, colon, and prostatic cancer.
Because
research is limited to test tubes and animals, their effects on human cancers
are unknown.
However,
licorice root extract can help treat oral mucositis, a very painful mustache
that people with cancer sometimes experience as a side effect of chemotherapy
and radiation therapy.
A two-week
study of 60 adults with head and neck cancer found that a topical licorice film
was as effective as the standard oral mucositis treatment.
It can relieve upper respiratory conditions.
Licorice
root extract and tea can affect the upper respiratory tract due to their
anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.
Animal studies,
in particular, conclude that licorice root glycyrrhizin extract helps alleviate
asthma, especially when added to modern asthma treatments.
Although
limited human research shows similar results, more stringent long-term studies
are needed.
In addition,
limited studies on test tubes and humans suggest that tea and licorice root
extract can protect against sore throats and prevent sore throats after
surgery.
However,
further research is needed.
Can protect from cavities
Licorice
root can help protect against bacteria that create voids.
A three-week
study provided 66 preschool children with sugar-free lollipops containing 15 mg
of licorice root twice a day during the school week.
Eating pacifiers has
significantly reduced the number of Streptococcus mutans bacteria that are the
main cause of cavities.
Test tube
studies also show that licorice root extract provides effective protection
against bacteria commonly associated with tooth decay and tooth decay.
However,
more research is needed on the optimal dosage and shape of the licorice root.
Other potential benefits
The licorice
root extract has several other potential benefits. Can:
• It helps
diabetes. In a 60-day rat study, taking licorice root extract daily resulted in
a significant improvement in blood sugar and kidney health. This effect has not
been confirmed in humans.
• Reduces
menopause symptoms. The licorice root extract has been suggested for the
treatment of hot flashes during menopause. However, proof of its effectiveness
for this purpose is limited.
• Stimulates
weight loss. Some studies show that licorice root extract lowers the Body Mass
Index (BMI) and promotes weight loss. However, other studies have found no
effects on weight.
• Helps
treat hepatitis C. A test-tube study found that adding glycyrrhizin to standard
hepatitis C treatment significantly reduced the spread of the virus. Although
promising, these results have not been confirmed in humans.
Extract
Licorice
root can have powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects.
Preliminary research suggests that it can relieve upper respiratory infections,
treat ulcers, and aid digestion, among other things.
Possible side effects and precautions
Licorice
root is generally recognized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe
for use in food.
However, the
FDA is not currently evaluating or verifying supplements to determine the
purity, effectiveness, or accuracy of the labeling of ingredients.
In addition,
the short-term use of licorice root additives and teas is considered largely
safe. However, high doses can cause side effects and people with certain health
conditions may want to avoid them.
Overdose of licorice root
Chronic use
and large doses of licorice root products can cause glycyrrhizin to build up in
your body.
Elevated
glycyrrhizin levels have been shown to cause an abnormal increase in the stress
hormone cortisol, which can lead to fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
As a result,
large and chronic doses of licorice root products can trigger several dangerous
symptoms, including:
• low
potassium levels
• High blood
pressure
• muscle
weakness
• abnormal
heart rhythms
Although
rare, licorice poisoning can occur. It can lead to kidney failure, heart
failure, or excessive accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema).
Pregnancy and breastfeeding period.
Consuming
large amounts of licorice and especially glycyrrhizin during pregnancy can
affect your baby's brain development.
In one
study, children of mothers who ate large amounts of licorice products
containing glycyrrhizin during pregnancy had more frequent brain problems later
in life.
Therefore,
pregnant women should avoid licorice supplements and limit the consumption of
licorice in foods and beverages.
Due to the
lack of research, children and breastfeeding women should also avoid licorice
products.
Interaction with other drugs
Licorice
root has been shown to interact with a variety of medications, including:
• Medicines
for high blood pressure
•
anticoagulants
•
Cholesterol-lowering drugs, including statins
• diuretics
•
estrogen-based contraceptives
•
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
People who
take any of these drugs should avoid licorice root products unless directed to
do so by their doctor.
Extract
Chronic use
and large doses of licorice root can cause serious fluid and electrolyte
imbalances.
Children, pregnant and lactating women, and people with kidney
disease, heart disease, or high blood pressure should avoid licorice products.
Dosage and forms of licorice root
Being an
extract, licorice root get comes in a range of forms, including pills, powders,
tinctures, topical gel, and teas. The root itself can also be bought fresh or
dried.
There are
currently no standard dosage recommendations. Nevertheless, the World Health
Business (WHO) and the Euro Scientific Committee for Food (SCF) recommend
limiting the particular intake of glycyrrhizin into a maximum of 100 magnesium
each day.
Especially
those who eat large amounts of licorice products can get more than this amount.
In addition,
since the products do not always show the amount of glycyrrhizin, it can be
difficult to identify a safe amount.
It is therefore important to discuss a
safe and effective dose with your doctor.
Another
option is to look for powders or capsules made from deglycyrhizinated licorice
(DGL).
These
supplements do not contain glycyrrhizin, which is responsible for most of the
side effects of licorice.
However, since this connection also has many
advantages, it is not clear whether DGL products have the same positive effects
on health.
Extract
You can
consume licorice root in the form of tea, tincture, powder, or supplements.
That is also used topically as a gel.
Although there is no standard dose for
licorice root, you should limit your total glycyrrhizin intake to no more than
100 grams per day.
Shop for
licorice root products online
- licorice candy
- licorice tea
- licorice extract and tincture
- licorice capsules
- licorice powder
- DGL licorice supplements
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