Licorice

Historical or traditional use: Licorice has a long and highly varied record of uses. It was and remains one of the most important herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. Among the most consistent and important uses were as a demulcent (soothing, coating agent) in the digestive and urinary tracts, to help with coughs, to soothe sore throats, and as a flavoring. It has also been used to treat conditions ranging from diabetes to tuberculosis to Hot flashes.
Active constituents: The two most important constituents of licorice are glycyrrhizin and the flavonoids. Glycyrrhizin is anti-inflammatory and inhibits the breakdown of the cortisol produced by the body.1 2 It also has antiviral properties. Licorice flavonoids, as well as the closely related chalcones, help digestive tract cells heal. They are also potent antioxidants and work to protect the cells of the liver.

Licorice and Women's Homones

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Licorice root contains a saponin-like glycoside, glycyrrhizin (glycrrhizic acid) and has historically been used for a variety of female disorders and also as an expectorant and antitussive in treatment of respiratory tract infections and asthma. It is believed to reduce estrogen while increasing progesterone and is used for this reason by Dr. Michael Murray in his clinical practice. Licorice has a steroid component that can change to the estrogen precursors estradiol and estrone, and it can therefore provide mild estrogenic properties. Glycyrrhizin has a regulatory action over estrogen metabolism, i.e. when estrogen levels are too high it inhibits estrogen action, and when estrogen is too low, glycyrrhizin potentiates it. This is a useful factor for many female hormonal problems, including PMS.
Licorice is considered a powerful drug that is useful in treating a number of conditions, such as peptic ulcers, malaria, abdominal pain, insomnia and infection. This herb’s uses have been substantiated by modern research, and it is generally considered very safe in moderate doses. German health authorities consider maximum doses of up to 100 mg of glycyrrhizin (the major active component of licorice) a day acceptable and safe. However, it should not be taken for more than 4-6 weeks without medical advice.
Are there any side effects or interactions? Licorice products without the glycyrrhizin removed may increase blood pressure and cause water retention. Some people are more sensitive to this effect than others. Long-term intake of products containing more than 1 gram of glycyrrhizin (which is the amount in approximately 10 grams of root) daily is the usual amount required to cause these effects. As a result of these possible side effects, long-term intake of high levels of glycyrrhizin are discouraged and should only be undertaken if prescribed by a qualified health care professional.
Deglycyrrhizinated licorice extracts do not cause these side effects because there is no glycyrrhizin in them.
Special United Kingdom Considerations: Licorice is either not available or may require a prescription. Please check with your nutritionally oriented physician.