Licorice root side effects, licorice plant, benefits of licorice root

Read on to find out the benefits of licorice root and licorice root side effects.

Page Content

Introduction
What licorice root is used for
How licorice root is used
Science Says
Licorice root side effects

Introduction

Licorice root is also known as liquorice, sweet root, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Glycyrrhiza glabra and gan zao. Liquorice plant is indigenous to Asia and southern Europe. Liquorice, is the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra.

What licorice root is used for

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Licorice root is used in Traditional Chinese medicine, Aurvedic medicine chiefly in vaman therapy and other Western and Easten systems of medicine.

It is used in over 5000 chinese herbal formulas to complement contrasting herbs and sweeten teas. It is also used in constipation remedies and many other remedies.

How licorice root is used

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Liqurorice is available in powered and dried forms and also available as liquid extracts, capsules and tablets.

Licorice is also available with glycyrrhizin removed; this product is named DGL ("deglycyrrhizinated licorice").

Science Says

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Researchers at the University of Texas and Shriners Hospitals for Children state that glycyrrhizin (a compound from licorice) may be effective in treating antibiotic infections which have resulted from severe burns.

They have done a new study which has been published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology which suggests glycyrrhizin might improve damaged skins ability to produce antimicrobial peptides; these are proteins that give defense against infection.

Licorice root side effects

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If licorice containing glycyrrhizin is consumed in large amounts it can cause low potassium levels, salt and water retention and high blood pressure. DGL products have fewer side effects.

If licorice root is taken together with water pills or any other medicines which decreases your body's potassium levels it could cause your potassium levels to be dangerously low.

People who have high blood pressure and heart disease should be careful about using licorice.

A 2008 European Commission says people should not eat more than 100mg of glycyrrhizin acid per day, as it can cause muscle weakness, swelling, headaches, chronic fatigue, lower testosterone levels in men and raise blood pressure or cause muscle weakness, chronic fatigue, headaches or swelling, and lower testosterone levels in men.

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