Licorice (lat. Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a herbaceous perennial whose root has a special medicinal value. The second name of the plant is often mentioned – licorice. Licorice root has been used in folk medicine around the world for hundreds of years.
The countries of Southern Europe and Western Asia are considered to be the birthplace of licorice. On the territory of Russia, the plant is found in the North Caucasus, Western Siberia and the south of the European part. The extract is traditionally used in the production of medicines, flavoring drinks, sweets. In folk medicine, licorice root is used to treat and relieve the symptoms of many diseases.
We will talk about the advantages and disadvantages of licorice root, as well as dwell on the recommended dosage. It is important to recall that before starting treatment, one should study in more detail the range of beneficial properties of licorice and assess the likelihood of side effects.
Useful properties of licorice
Licorice has a wide range of useful substances for the human body. Its chemical composition is diverse: the roots and rhizomes contain a derivative of saponins glycyrrhizin, a substance that is a mixture of potassium and calcium salts of tribasic glycyrrhizic acid.
The plant contains 27 flavonoids, ascorbic acid, steroids, estriol, some gum, resin, essential oil and asparagine. Flavonoids have a versatile effect on the body – both antispasmodic, wound healing, and anti-inflammatory.
Herbal formulations have been found effective in indigestion, inflammation of various localization, diseases of the upper respiratory tract. [1].
Licorice products are distinguished by expectorant and emollient properties, in some cases they have an antitoxic effect. The therapeutic effect on the body of licorice roots is due to the content of carbohydrates, glucose, fructose, starch and cellulose, as well as organic acids – fumaric, malic, citric, succinic.
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