Glycyrrhiza-Glabra (view original)
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Glycyrrhiza glabra (Liquorice) |
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Illustration by Prof. Dr. Otto Wilhelm is in the Public Domain |
Glycyrrhiza glabra radix (Liquorice Root) |
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Photo by Michael Côté licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 CA |
Other Names
光果甘草
Guāng guǒ gāncǎo
gan cao
Liquorice
Licorice
Glycyrrhiza glabra L.
There are nine synonyms according to the Catalogue of Life[1]
The Chinese materia medica also uses Glycyrrhiza inflata Batalin, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. as its standard species.[4]
Properties
Sweet.
If dry-fried, the thermal properties of licorice root is considered warming, otherwise it's considered neutral or cooling.[4]
Channels Entered
Primarily ShaoYin (Heart/Kidney), TaiYin (Lung/Spleen), and YangMing (Stomach/Large-Intestine), but licorice is considered to enter all the channels.[4]
Actions
TaiYin Qi tonic, humidifies the Lungs, lessens spasms and pain, mitigates heat and toxins, and modulates other herbs.[4]
Indications
Shortness of breath, lethargy, and loose stool (due to insufficient TaiYin Qi)
Cough
Spasms or pain of the abdomen and/or legs especially when licorice root is combined with white peony root (Paeonia lactiflora, bai shao)[4]
Combinations
Some traditional North American use combined licorice root with Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa), black cherry (Prunus serotina), flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum), and ginger root (Zingiber officinale) made as an infusion for sore throats and various respiratory problems. [2]
Licorice with white peony root (Paeonia lactiflora, bai shao) can reduce spasms and pain of the abdomen and legs.[4]
With Greater Burdock seed (Arctium lappa, niu bang zi), licorice can help with swollen and sore throats (due to Wind-Heat).[4]
Licorice with Vigna radiata (lu dou) as an antidote for food poisoning and for poisoning from other toxic herbs like Aconitum carmichaeli (aconite, fu zi, Chinese wolfsbane, carmichael's monkshood).[4]
Indigenous usage
The Keetoowah or Tsalagi used licorice as an expectorant, and to treat coughs and asthma.[5]
The Meskwaki used a compound with licorice root for "female trouble".[6]
Other uses
Added to tobacco for flavour.
Because licorice root can foam with water, it was used in fire extinguishers and shampoo.[2][3]
Used as a beverage with mung bean (Vigna radiata, lu dou) to prevent heat rash and Summer-Heat.[4]
Known Toxicity or Adverse Reactions
Licorice may contribute to hypertension.[12]
Excessive intake of licorice should be avoided during pregnancy as "high maternal licorice consumption during pregnancy is associated with poorer cognitive performance and with externalizing symptoms and attention problems in offspring at eight years of age. These findings are not interdependent; appear dose related, at least for cognitive effects; and are not obviously confounded by maternal or neonatal parameters."[13]
Licorice has glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid properties, but if consumed in excess, can lead to an acquired form of apparent mineralocorticoid excess syndrome which causes hypokalaemia, hypernatremia, oedema, hypertension, metabolic alkalosis, and low plasma renin and aldosterone levels.[14]
Notes on identification
There are many species used medicinally in the Glycyrrhiza genus like
Glycyrrhiza aspera Pall. (cu mao gan cao)
Glycyrrhiza eurycarpa P.C.Li (huang gan cao)
Glycyrrhiza pallidiflora Maxim. (ci guo can cao)
Be sure to differentiate from Sophora alopecuroides L. (ku dou zi)
Research
Glycyrrhiza glabra has potent antiangiogenic and antitumor activity. Aqueous extract inhibits in vivo and in vitro proliferation of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Meaning the extract from Glycyrhiza glabra root might be a potential supplemental source for cancer therapy.[7]
Isoflavans from Glycyrrhiza glabra were shown to be effective in protecting mitochondrial function against oxidative stresses.[8]
Antimycobacterial activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra was found at 500 μg/mL concentration; bioactivity guided phytochemical analysis identified glabridin as potentially active against both Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra and H37Rv strains at 29.16 μg/mL concentration; it exhibited antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.[9]
There is significant anti-tuberculosis potential of the bioactive molecules from the endophytic Fusarium solani which is derived from Glycyrrhiza glabra and was evaluated against the virulent strain of M tuberculosis.[10]
Extracts of Glycyrrhiza glabra may possess an antidepressant-like effect which seems to be mediated by an increase of brain norepinephrine and dopamine, but not by an increase of serotonin.[11]
Conservation/IUCN/CITES Status
Not Threatened.[1]