Written By THT Editorial Team
Reviewed by Dr. Hari Sharan Aryal, MD Kaya (Internal Medicine), IOM , TU, Director Nature Care Hospital
Licorice root (जेठी मधु), from the plant Glycyrrhiza glabra, is more than just a candy flavor. It’s been used in traditional medicine for ages because of its health benefits.
Stomach Saver: This root is like a superhero for your stomach. It’s got substances—glycyrrhizin and flavonoids—that fight off ulcers by forming a protective layer on the stomach’s surface, reducing acid, and helping heal ulcers which has been supported by findings from Rahnama et al. (2013), who studied the healing effects of licorice on Helicobacter pylori infected peptic ulcers.”
Virus Fighter: Licorice root might also be a secret weapon against viruses, especially those that mess with your liver. It’s got stuff in it that stops viruses from multiplying and tweaks your immune system to help your liver stay healthy as demonstrated by Wang et al. (2015), licorice has been identified to have significant antiviral and antimicrobial properties.”
Swelling Be Gone: Got swelling? Licorice root might help with that too. It’s got anti-inflammatory powers that could take down swelling, which is great news if you’re dealing with arthritis, asthma, or skin issues which is supported by the findings of Yang et al. (2017), who investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of licorice.”
Cough Calmer: And if you’ve got a cough that won’t quit, licorice root might be your go-to. It’s been used to soothe your throat and help you get rid of mucus, making it easier to breathe and lessening coughs ( Seladi-Schulman 2022)
Stress Buster: Licorice root is also an adaptogen, which means it helps your body deal with stress. It can help keep your cortisol—your body’s stress alarm—under control, which might make you feel more chill. (Armanini et al. 2004)
But, Heads Up: Just like with anything, you can not have too much of a good thing. If you go overboard with licorice root, it can throw your body’s mineral balance out of whack, leading to high blood pressure and low potassium, which is no bueno. (Wahab et al. 2021)
Doctor Knows Best: So, it’s super important to use licorice root the right way. Talk to a healthcare pro before diving in, especially if you’ve got other health stuff going on or you’re taking meds that might not play nice with it. And keep an eye on your potassium levels to stay safe.
REFERENCES
- Rahnama M, Mehrabani D, Japoni S, Edjtehadi M, Saberi Firoozi M. The healing effect of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) on Helicobacter pylori infected peptic ulcers. J Res Med Sci. 2013 Jun;18(6):532-3. PMID: 24250708; PMCID: PMC3818629.
- Wang L, Yang R, Yuan B, Liu Y, Liu C. The antiviral and antimicrobial activities of licorice, a widely-used Chinese herb. Acta Pharm Sin B. 2015 Jul;5(4):310-5. doi: 10.1016/j.apsb.2015.05.005. Epub 2015 Jun 17. PMID: 26579460; PMCID: PMC4629407.
- Yang R, Yuan BC, Ma YS, Zhou S, Liu Y. The anti-inflammatory activity of licorice, a widely used Chinese herb. Pharm Biol. 2017 Dec;55(1):5-18. doi: 10.1080/13880209.2016.1225775. Epub 2016 Sep 21. PMID: 27650551; PMCID: PMC7012004.
- Seladi-Schulman, J., Ph.D. (2022, November 10). The 7 best teas to help ease a cough. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/tea-for-cough
- Armanini D, Mattarello MJ, Fiore C, Bonanni G, Scaroni C, Sartorato P, Palermo M. Licorice reduces serum testosterone in healthy women. Steroids. 2004 Oct-Nov;69(11-12):763-6. doi: 10.1016/j.steroids.2004.09.005. PMID: 15579328.
- Wahab S, Annadurai S, Abullais SS, Das G, Ahmad W, Ahmad MF, Kandasamy G, Vasudevan R, Ali MS, Amir M. Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice): A Comprehensive Review on Its Phytochemistry, Biological Activities, Clinical Evidence and Toxicology. Plants (Basel). 2021 Dec 14;10(12):2751. doi: 10.3390/plants10122751. PMID: 34961221; PMCID: PMC8703329.