LIQUORICE / Glycyrrhiza glabra - Leguminosae - Papilionaceae / Europe & Middle East. N.B: Not recommended for anyone with High Blood Pressure.
N.B: Do not use in excessive doses or over a long period. N.B: Do not use if Pregnant or Breast Feeding. N.B: Do not take long term if suffering from Hypertension as it can produce Head - Ache, Lethargy, Sodium and Water Retention, excessive loss of Potassium & High Blood Pressure. N.B: Avoid Salty Liquorice if you have High Blood Pressure. N.B: Liquorice bought as a sweet is usually flavoured with Anise Oil and is not actually the real thing. N.B: Also used for its flavour to cover the flavours of less pleasant herbal Tinctures. N.B: Available in Sweetened form - but choose Unsweetened and avoid Confectionary due to the Sugar content put in.
Actions: Anti - Inflammatory, Anti- Spasmodic, Aromatic, Demulcent, Diuretic, Expectorant, Mild Laxative and Pectoral.
Cultivation: A strong - growing deciduous Perennial shrub that grows in rich alluvial sandy soil in a Sunny position up to 1 1/4 metres high with a thick, deep Taproot and spreads underground via Stolons. It has compound leaves and loose spikes of purple flowers. Propagated by Rhizome segments planted in Spring or by seed.
Product: the Dried Root & Rhizomes are used when slightly sweet and should not be harvested until the 4th year of growth dried and ground. Dosage: Add 1/2 Teaspoon of the Root to a cup of water, simmer for 15 minutes and drink 3 x times a day. Tea: 1 teaspoon to a cup of boiling water. Tincture: 1 to 2ml x 3 times a day.
Used to Treat: Abdominal Pain: as an Anti - Spasmodic. Adrenal Glands: as a Tonic to support and benefit the Whole Body especially for Stress. Age Spots - Brown: to lighten with a Fruit Peel containing Vitamin C & Alpha Hydroxy Acids to slough off dead Skin. Arthritis: to assist. Asthma: heated in Honey makes a soothing Syrup to relax the Chest as a Pectoral. Athlete's Foot: contains 25 Anti - Fungal compounds so add chopped Liquorice Sticks to a Garlic Foot Bath for greater potency or brew a strong Decoction of about 5 - 7 teaspoons of the dried herb per cup of water and boil. Simmer for 20 minutes, cool and apply directly to the affected areas using a cotton ball or clean clothe. Baldness: contains a substance that prevents the conversion of Testosterone to DHT and could also be added to a Hair Shampoo.
Blood Sugar: to benefit when it falls. Body - Odour: Coriander and Liquorice: both contain 20 Anti - Bacterial compounds, Oregano and Rosemary have 19, Ginger 17, Nutmeg 15, Cinnamon and Cumin 11, & Bay 10. Liquorice also contains up to 33 % Bactericidal compounds, Thyme 21.3 %, Oregano 8.8%, Rosemary 4.8 %, Coriander up to 2.2 % and Fennel 1.5%. These could be Powdered and rubbed under the under arms but a Tea would be better. Tea: make a strong Tea of the herb or herbs to suite and soak a cloth in it and apply as a Compress for a few minutes. Add plenty of Sage, or they could be used in a Bath by placing in a cloth and run hot water over it. Essential Oil: could also be used by diluting a drop or two in a tablespoon of Vegetable Oil to massage the under arm area. N.B: Do no ingest as it can be Toxic. Bowels: as it has Laxative properties and encourages Bowel activity and because of its Laxative properties this usually means loose Bowel movements and other herbs with similar properties may be much more applicable. Bronchitis: Liquorice heated in Honey makes a soothing Syrup to relax the Chest. Bursitis: combine Ginger with a little Liquorice and Pineapple if re - occurring.
Canker Sores: contains Tannin, Glycyrrhetinic Acid & Glycyrrhizin that speed up healing and it could be used to sweeten the Teas mentioned for this Condition. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: as an Anti - Viral herb. Colds - Coughs - Flu: in Cough Medicine as a Pectoral and the powdered Root is used in Cough Syrups & Linctuses as it loosens Phlegm so it can be coughed up. Colic: as an Anti - Spasmodic. Colitis: as an Anti - Spasmodic. Constipation: as a Mild Laxative with the powdered Root also available in Syrups or Tablets. Colon: as a stimulant to treat Constipation. Cosmetics: The powdered Root is used in natural Cosmetics.
Dandruff: contains Glycyrrhizin that minimises the Scalp's secretion of Oils, which should keep the Oil production down and control the Condition. Depression: as it has the most Anti - Depressant compounds of which 8 are MAO - Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors - the strongest, and it can be added to any other herbal tea mentioned for this Condition. N.B: Use up to only 3 cups of Tea a day as long term use or Ingestion of larger amounts can produce Head - Ache, Lethargy, Sodium & Water Retention, excessive loss of Potassium and High Blood Pressure. If taking MAO Inhibitors on a regular basis avoid certain foods and medications such as Alcohol, and any food smoked or pickled, and remedies for Colds and Hay Fever, Amphetamines, Narcotics, Tryptophan and Tyrosine. Digestive System: stimulant with the powdered Root also used. Digestive System - Inflammation: Diverticulitis: as an Anti - Spasmodic.
Eczema: to assist. Emphysema: contains 9 Expectorant and 10 Anti - Oxidant compounds and a teaspoon of sweet, powdered Liquorice Root could be added to Herbal beverage Teas to 3 cups a day. N.B: Long term use or Ingestion of large amounts of Liquorice can produce Head - Ache, Lethargy, Water and Sodium retention, excessive loss of Potassium and High Blood Pressure. Exhaustion: Fungal Infections: contains at least 25 Fungicidal compounds. Decoction: 5 - 7 teaspoons of powdered Liquorice Root to a cup of boiling water and simmer for 20 minutes then strain out the plant material and use a cotton ball or clean cloth and apply to the affected area 3 x times a day. Gargle: The Powdered Root is to reduce Inflammation and for its Astringent effect on Gums.
Gastritis: as an Anti - Spasmodic. Gastric Ulcers: 4gm of the Dried Root or in Capsules, Decoction or Tablets 3 times a day. Gingivitis: as a sweetener that will not cause Cavities or Gingivitis and can be used in Teas instead of Honey or Sugar. It is high in Magnesium, and Glycyrrhizin to assist with controlling Gum - Inflammation and Plaque formation. N.B: Long term use may cause Head - Ache, Lethargy, Sodium and Water retention, excessive loss of Potassium and High Blood Pressure. Gout: contains several Xanthine Oxidase - XO Inhibitors that prevent the synthesis of Uric Acid but at low levels. Gut Ulceration: One of its main constituents, Glycyrrhizin encourages healing. Heart - Burn: Deglycyrrhizinated Liquorice - DGHL treats both Heart - Burn and Ulcers of the Stomach and Oesophagus as it is an Anti - Spasmodic and reduces production of Stomach Acid and decreases Heart - Burn. Can use up to 3 cups a day but for no longer then 6 weeks. Have a cup of Tea now and then to relieve Heart - Burn. N.B: Long term use or ingestion of large amounts can produce Head - Ache, Lethargy, Sodium and Water Retention, excessive loss of Potassium and High Blood Pressure.
HIV Infection: Liquorice Tea is active against many Viruses as it contains Glycyrrhizin, which can inhibit a number of processes involved in Viral replication such as its ability to penetrate host Cells and change their Genetic material. It also may inhibit the growth of HIV itself. It also seems to reduce the side effects from AZT. Dosage: Add a 1 x ounce piece of Liquorice Root to a quart of any of the herbal teas or just chew on the Root. N.B: Liquorice is safe up to 3 cups a day but long term use or ingestion of larger amounts can produce Head - Ache, Lethargy, Sodium and Water retention, excessive loss of Potassium and High Blood Pressure.
Immune System: to benefit. Inflammation: to reduce all along the Gut and reduce. Inflammatory Conditions - Internal: 4gm of the dried Root or in Capsules, Decoction or Tablets 3 x times a day.
Liver Conditions: as the Extracts contain Glycyrrhizin, which inhibits Liver Cell damage caused by chemicals and is used to treat Cirrhosis and Chronic Hepatitis and to treat Viral Hepatitis. Mixture: Combining Liquorice, Peppermint, Rose, Tansy & Stinging Nettle can assist to stabilize Liver Cell Membranes and protect from Liver damage. N.B: Do not use Liquorice if you have High Blood Pressure. Liver Protecting Salad: add young Milk Thistle Leaves, Carrots & Dandelion Flowers and use Ginger & Turmeric in the dressing. Liver Tea: Mix to suite the taste, Liquorice, Dandelion, Chicory, Turmeric & Ginger and also add, if required, Anise, Caraway, Celery Seed, Dill, Clove, Fennel, Peppermint, Rosemary & Vanilla Bean. Mix a jar of the dried herbs and keep until you require a Herbal Tea. Lyme Disease: as it contains the most Anti - Bacterial compounds up 33% on a dry weight basis and used to treat Bacterial infections such as Tuberculosis and it is also Anti - Viral as it contains Saponins that increase the availability of other Anti - Biotic compounds. Other Anti - Bacterial herbs in potency order are Thyme, Hops, Oregano and Rosemary. Would make a good Tea that could be sweetened by Liquorice Extract. N.B: Do not use if you have High Blood Pressure. Menopause: reduces the symptoms by balancing Oestrogen levels.
Menstrual - Cramps: combine 25% of this herb with 25% Peony Root, 25% Dong Quai - Chinese Angelica - and 25% Red Raspberry and divide into "00" Gelatin Capsules and take 2 Capsules 3 times a day with meals. Nausea: in the Digestive System. Nerves: The Sweet Spicy Oil is used in Aromatherapy to refresh and Soothe.
Powders: The powdered Root is used reduce Inflammation and for its Astringent effect on Gums. Prostate - Enlargement: contains a compound that prevents the conversion of Testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone. N.B: Do not take large doses over a long period as this can cause Head - Ache, Lethargy, Sodium and Water retention, excessive loss of Potassium and High Blood Pressure. Psoriasis: the Extract can be externally applied to the patches as it contains Glycyrrhetenic Acid - GA - that works similar to Hydrocortisone to treat Allergic Dermatitis, Eczema and Psoriasis. Apply to the affected areas with a cotton ball or clean cloth.
Respiratory Conditions: Used as an Expectorant. Shingles: as an Ointment as it contains several Anti - Viral and Immune boosting compounds or drink a weak Tea and apply a strong Tea directly to the rash.
Skin: The Sweet Spicy Oil is used in Aromatherapy to Soothe. Used as a Medicine for over 3,000 years as it stimulates the production of Cortisol in the Body, which makes it useful in the treatment of a wide range of Skin Conditions including Itch. Smoking: Liquorice Root when chewed on can assist to satisfy the oral cravings of cigarette addiction. N.B: Long term use or ingesting excessive amounts can produce Head - Ache, Lethargy, Sodium and Water retention, excessive loss of Potassium and High Blood Pressure. Steroids: Helps to restore natural Steroid production after Steroid medication. Stomach - Ulcers: as an Anti - Spasmodic. Stress: Throat - Sore: as it has an Expectorant effect to treat Colds and other Respiratory Conditions. Take 3 cups of water and 5 - 7 teaspoons of Root pieces and bring to the boil then simmer until 1/2 the water is boiled away. N.B: Long term use or ingesting excessive amounts can produce Head - Ache, Lethargy, Sodium and Water retention, excessive loss of Potassium and High Blood Pressure.
Tendinitis: combine Ginger with a little Liquorice and Pineapple for re - occurring Bursitis. Tooth - Decay: contains Glycyrrhizin a Bacterial killer, and non - Sugar sweetener and Indole a powerful decay preventive compound. Teeth: The Powdered Root is used especially in Toothpaste to reduce Inflammation and for its Astringent effect on Gums. Tuberculosis: has 33% Anti - Bacterial compounds on a dry weight basis and is used to treat TB and is also Anti - Viral.
Ulcers: Mix equal parts of this dried herb with Marshmallow Root and Slippery Elm Powder and take 2 Capsules of this mixture just before meals 3 times a day. Ensure that you have a well balanced diet, low in Red Meat and Spices with larger portions of Vegetables and Whole Grains.
Viral Infections: is active against many types as one of its 8 compounds, Glycyrrhizin inhibits a number of processes involved in Virus replication including penetration of the Body's Cells and replication of Viral genetic material. Tea: add a few teaspoons of chopped dried Root per cup of boiling water and steep for 10 minutes. Yeast Infections: to sweeten Anti - Candida Teas use Liquorice Root or Stevia.
Horses: assists in treating Adrenal - Exhaustion and in removing Adhesions for after foaling or surgery. Also used for Colic - Impaction:
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