Licorice, also known as Glycyrrhiza glabra, is a perennial herb that has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine for its numerous health benefits. This herb is native to the Mediterranean, Western Asia, and South Asia, but now it is also cultivated in other parts of the world, including Europe, America, and China. In this blog, we will discuss the benefits of taking licorice, including its herbal actions, folklore, energetics, and spiritual references.
Herbal Actions
Licorice is a powerful adaptogen that helps the body to cope with stress by regulating the production of cortisol, the stress hormone. It also has inflammation-modulating, antiviral, and antioxidant properties that protect the body from various diseases. Licorice is also known for its demulcent and expectorant properties, which make it an excellent remedy for respiratory infections such as bronchitis, cough, and sore throat. Additionally, licorice can be used to treat digestive problems such as ulcers, acid reflux, and constipation.
Folklore
Licorice has a long history of use in traditional medicine, dating back to ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt. It was used as a sweetener, a cough suppressant, and to treat digestive problems. Licorice was also believed to have medicinal properties that could protect the liver, soothe the throat, and improve overall health.
Energetics
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, licorice is classified as a Qi tonic herb, which means it nourishes and strengthens the Qi or life force energy of the body. It is also considered a Yin tonic herb, which means it nourishes the feminine, cool, and moist aspects of the body. Licorice is said to have a sweet and slightly warm energy that harmonizes the body’s internal organs, especially the spleen and stomach. It is believed that licorice can help to improve digestion, boost energy, and enhance overall vitality.
Spiritual References
In Ayurvedic medicine, licorice is considered a Rasayana herb, which means it has rejuvenating and restorative properties that promote longevity and vitality. It is believed that licorice can help to balance the three Doshas or energy principles of the body: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Licorice is also associated with the root chakra, which is the first chakra located at the base of the spine. The root chakra is associated with grounding, stability, and survival, and licorice is believed to help balance this energy center.
In conclusion, licorice is a versatile herb that has been used for centuries for its numerous health benefits. Its adaptogenic, inflammation-modulating, and antioxidant properties make it an excellent remedy for stress, respiratory infections, and digestive problems. Licorice’s sweet and slightly warm energy makes it a popular herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, and other spiritual practices.
LICORICE (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Family: Fabaceae
Parts Used: root
Taste: Sweet.
Herbal Actions: Antiseptic, Antioxidant, Demulcent, Emetic, Expectorant, Hepatoprotective, Inflammation Modulating, Adaptogen, Nervine Trophorestorative.
Antiseptic: Licorice root has been shown to have antimicrobial activity due to the constituents, glabridin (an isoflavone) and glycyrrhizin. Its antiviral properties are due to its phenolic constituents. This action is most commonly applied to the respiratory tract in a clinical context.
Antioxidant: The flavonoid content in Licorice gives this plant the ability to work as an effective antioxidant. Glabridin is one of the main flavonoids with antioxidant properties. Other antioxidant constituents identified include hispaglabran A and B, chalcones, and formononetin (isoflavone).
Demulcent: Good for dry hot and inflamed mucosal tissues in the GI and respiratory tract. Soothing, cooling, and moistening effects. Demulcents are our classic herbal action for any form of dryness within the system, be it in the GI, urinary tract, or respiratory system, as they primarily work on the mucosal membranes. This also lends itself useful for inflammatory conditions of the digestive tract such as leaky gut or irritation due to food allergens.
Emetic: In larger amounts Licorice root can induce vomiting. Many emetic herbs are also expectorants, and in Ayurveda, therapeutic vomiting is a technique used to clear the lungs. This effect has an upward-moving action that is similar in nature to the expectorant property.
Expectorant: Licorice is a classic expectorant herb with an affinity for the respiratory tract. This happens through its moistening properties which is useful for a hot and dry cough versus a wet cough.
Hepatoprotective: Licorice has a detoxifying effect on the liver cells and is known to be a “temperer” of toxic plants and their extracted alkaloids such as caffeine and nicotine. It works similarly to Milk Thistle for protecting the liver.
Inflammation Modulating: Both the demulcent quality of Licorice and the triterpene in the roots make for pretty effective anti-inflammatory action. There are numerous studies on Licorice that have clinically shown the important actions of glycyrrhetinic acid and its effects on inflammation pathways. While most of the time I don’t like to say an herb is “anti-inflammatory,” Licorice is one of those plants that are strong enough to warrant that term in my opinion.
Adaptogen: There has been research to show that Licorice has an effect on the pituitary-adrenal axis that stimulates an immunostimulant and immune-enhancing effect. It acts to reduce immune hyperactivity or dysregulation. The constituent, glycyrrhizin, has an indirect action as an immunomodulating agent. This is an immune tonic/ adaptogen due to the ability to nourish and strengthen the tissues and body as a whole. In Chinese Medicine Licorice is known as a “sweet tonic.”
Nervine Trophorestorative: Licorice has a nutritive effect on the body especially where there might be a deficiency in nerve tissue. It’s moistening rather than drying so won’t irritate the nerves further like other drying aromatic nerviness might. This is because many times nervous system depletion is associated with systemic dryness and tension.
Affinities: Mucosal Membranes, Digestive, Respiratory, Endocrine, Immunity, Nervous system, Reproductive Systems.
Energetics: Cooling, Moistening, Neutral
Specific indications:
Coughs, colds, bronchitis, sore throats, hyperacidity, asthma, adrenal insufficiency, chronic fatigue, constipation, herpes simplex infection (topical application), inflammation in the GI and urinary tracts, SARS, viral hepatitis, immune deficient states, ulcers, allergies, and for dermatological detoxification. Sharol Tilgner makes a note that this is specific for mononucleosis in which the patient presents with unusually high liver enzymes, a sore throat, and needs immune support. David Winston gives us some specific indications, “I frequently use it for people with adrenal insufficiency who have symptoms of fatigue, tiredness upon waking up in the morning, elevated cortisol and blood sugar levels, and frequent colds.
