Does licorice have medicinal properties?

Licorice is a beloved flavor in candies and foods around the world. Still, this root plant’s reputation extends beyond taste buds to include ancient medicinal properties that numerous cultures have recognized for centuries to treat ailments like sore throat, cough, heartburn, depression and soothe body pain. But with all these medicinal claims surrounding licorice, does it genuinely hold up to its hype? In this article we will explore whether or not licorice has any legitimate healing power.

What Is Licorice And Why Do People Love It So Much

Before we dive into the potential medical benefits of this sweet plant let us first discuss what it truly is. Glycyrrhiza glabra commonly known as Licorice is a herbaceous perennial legume native in Asia and Europe; its roots components are often used as extracts or powdered supplements/medicines which display characteristic flavorings

Despite most people characterizing licorices’ taste as divisive some still love consuming it wholeheartedly! This divide possibly stems from genetic differences among individuals affecting their odor receptor such that receiving different signals when exposed to particular molecules on certain sensory profile allowing for varied interpretations of tastes perceived by our palate. Interestingly enough according to study conducted at Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia but genetics isn’t the only factor influencing personal preference other varying factors can also dictate how someone interprets flavors.

The Sweetness Mystery

In theory, sweetness seems pretty cut-and-dry—it should be consistent across various tongues—but surprisingly there’s much more nuance here than you’d think at face value.

According The Washington Post some individuals have fewer tastebuds than others, studies show that the number of taste receptors can vary significantly. Hence it’s not uncommon for people to describe licorice as insanely sweet or choke-worthy thanks to unusually well-developed sugar-sensitive proteins.

What Are The Medicinal Benefits Of Licorice

Digestive Issues

Licorice root extract has been used traditionally in treating digestive problems like ulcers and heartburn. Researchers have found glycyrrhizic acid, a significant compound in licorice root, which long-abused ulcers could heal faster when such patients were given high doses of licorice root; interestingly enough, its potency was similar to conventional ulcer medication often prescribed by medical practitioners! Moreover according glycyrrhizic acid (GA) also aids with heartburn symptoms due to its antioxidant activity increasing healing; hence helping reduce inflammation/spasm caused by reflux

Although these findings are promising sufficient evidence remains unavailable for unregulated consumption of licorice supplements citing concerns about possible mineral retention affecting hypertension (level of blood pressure), which is why there needs be caution when taking large amounts or using them frequently.

Inflammatory And Immune Conditions

Some tests conducted on the anti-inflammatory effects present in Triterpenoids isolated from Licorices’ roots indicate how it helps alleviate skin excoriations resulting from external irritants exposure including those produced after cancer treatments.1 On top of aiding with body inflammations various constituents and extracts derived from GA help increase immunity against infections cause cell death pathways arresting viral replication by approximating interferon levels.

How To Incorporate More Licorice In Your Diet

Licorices’ Available Forms

Licorice comes in various forms and can be found at most mainstream health food stores. Some common ways to get licorice in your diet include,

  • Sweet Snacks – candies,
  • Tea – herbal
  • Supplements – pill, extract

Keep in mind that supplements do not undergo the same regulations as pharmaceutical drugs, so often their effectiveness isn’t standardized thoroughly.

Safe Daily Intake

It’s vital we all note than when consumed sensibly/licitly 2g/day for healthy persons is recommended; its contraindicated in individuals predisposed/already present with compromised electrolyte balance(high potassium levels) Blood Pressure issues (hypertension); hence it must never eclipse two weeks because of potential risks implicated on cardiovascular physiology hormones responsible for balancing body fluid composition.

Summary

In conclusion, licorice root has been used traditionally worldwide and has shown some medicinal capabilities. However, caution needs to be exercised while consuming these supplements since they are unregulated substances whose safety cannot be ascertained fully or lack regulation standards to uphold proper quality assurance mechanisms required of pharmacological medicament. Overall one could consider using licorice with more established medicines if necessary but should consult qualified medical practitioners beforehand without self-medicating or exceeding safe daily limits.


  1. Mona Meeran et al., Immunomodulatory effects of glycyrrhizin by altering Foxp3+ regulatory T cell function Toxicol Appl Pharmacol.2009 Jan 15;234(2):167 Link 

Random Posts