Healing Powers of Licorice (Liquorice)

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Healing Powers of Licorice (Liquorice)

Licorice: (Liquorice) (Glycyrrhiza glabra)- What is it?Licorice is a botanical, a shrub native to southern Europe and Asia,the roots of which have two primary desirable qualities: first, somevarieties of licorice root are fifty times sweeter than sugar andmay be chewed or eaten as a sweet and making it a useful componentof candies and flavorings; second, licorice has been for thousands ofyears sought after for its reputed medicinal qualities. Licorice growswild in southern central Europe and Asia. It is used for its roots andits rhizomes (underground stems). Glycyrrhizic acid is extracted fromthe root and used as a flavoring in food, tobacco, alcohol, and cosmetics.Does all licorice taste the same?No, indeed not. There are over a dozen varieties of licorice, theroots vary in degrees of sweetness to a sharp almost peppery flavor.If you don't like one, try another!What are these beneficial medicinal qualities claimed for licorice?It has proven useful in the treatment of coughs, where it serves amild expectorant, and of sore throats, where its soothing propertiesbring relief. Licorice increases the production of protective mucusin the stomach, and may reduce the acid secretion, making it a usefultreatment of inflammatory stomach conditions.Health AspectsLicorice Root has been used as a laxative; to adjust blood sugar,reduce pain from ulcer and arthritis. Do not use if you have hypertension,hypokalemia edema, cirrhosis of the liver, cholestatic liver disorder,and diabetes. We did get a message that chewing liquorice root hasbeen most helpful in giving up smoking as it gives the hands somethingto do and has the shape/texture of a cigarette. Also it tastes like tobacco(because cigarettes are flavored with licorice).Used for generations in China, ancient Greece and the British Isles,Licorice is cultivated around the world. The sweet taste of its yellow rootprompted its use in the manufacture of candies. It contains vitamin E,B-complex, biotin, niacin, pantothenic acid, lecithin, manganese andother trace elements. Although Licorice has been used as a flavoringfor hundreds of years, many people don't know that it also has verybeneficial medicinal qualities. Licorice root has gained a reputation forstrengthening the body during times of stress. Since the 14th century,Licorice has been used to soothe coughs, colds and bronchitis. It canbe made into a licorice extract, concentrate or infusion, It is still usedfor these reasons today and it is one of the ingredients found in manyEuropean cough preparations. Research has shown that Licorice helpstreat and relieve the pains that accompany certain types of ulcers.Although common practice in Europe, its use in treating ulcers is notas prevalent in North America. However, with more and more researchersgaining positive results with its use as an ulcer treatment, Licorice may soonbecome more popular in North America. Finally, Licorice also hasanti-inflammatory properties and may therefore help relieve the discomfortsthat accompany arthritic conditions.http://www.licorice.org/Health___History/health___history.htmCommon Uses?In the confectionery industry, water extracts of licorice roots are mixed withsugar, corn syrup and flour to make many types of licorice candy. In theU.S., however, anethole, a major constituent in the anise plant, is a popularsubstitute-flavoring agent for licorice. Licorice is also commonly used as asweetening/flavoring agent to counteract the unpleasant taste of many drugsor added as filler in capsules. In the United Kingdom liquorice (syn. licorice)is used as an emulsifier to create foam in drinks and alcoholic beverages.Licorice root can be chewed or made into tea. It is frequently found incough preparations and candies, often combined with anise seed.Consumption of licorice is believed to aid in healing stomach ulcers.Tea made from licorice and other anti-spasmodic herbs is often takenfor menstrual cramps.Well Known Candy Brands (all their own Trademarks or RegisteredTrademarks):Switzer's, Bassett, Blackjack, Y & S, Hershey, Hella, Red Vines,American Licorice Company, Malaco, Menthol, Ahlgrens Bilar, SorBits,Wilkinson, Panda, Fazer, Paskesz, Haribo, Bassetti, Broadway, Marich,Noa, Claeys, Nosher's Choice, Nordic, Scaccianoce, Brach / Brachs,Pascal, Sunbird, It's Delish, Taveners, Nestle, Sconza, Goetze, Dorval,Kookaburra, Stimorol, Beacher, Heide, RedBand, Heksehyl,Candy Tech, Jaret, Oatfield, Dorval, Callard & Bowser, Konsul,Jätte, Gimbal Brothers, Kenny, Tavener, Gilliam, Farley, Joyful Harvest,Leaf, La Pipette, Pinguin, Katjes, K & H, Webes, Salta, Amarelli, Dae ,Delfa, Limburgse, Brenner, Dae , Klene, Astra, Venco, Vliet, Katja,Sula, Mentos, Astro, Pascall, Eda's, Trebor Bassett, Lavosgienne, Golia,Lange Jan, Westberry, Wertz, Millar, Needlers, Buchanans, Gibb,Barker & Dobson, Tilleys, Sterling, De Bron, Grootmoeders, Ann Raskas,Daintee, Honing, Fridam, Zaanse, Brask, Fortiun, Baraka, Hoepman,Schoolkrijt, Oldtimers, Wybert, Läkerol, Helas, Taffy Delights, Vidal,La Pipette, Sorbee, RB Farm, Harliquin, Pingvin, Schoolkrijtjes, Heksheyl,Limecon, Opal, Topas, Allan, Shuttelaar, Ga-Jol, Dent, Evers, Brynilds,Van Melle, Verduyn, Go Lightly, Mueller, Jaret, Aroma, Blandning,Halva, Goelitz, Grays, Barrats, Bristows, Needlers, Barker & Dobson, Santus & Co., Dunhill, House of York, Kathbeech, Stockleys,Koppers, The Lion Confectionery Company, Good & Plenty,Blue Bird, H & H Confectionery, Cloetta, Ribbles, Sip, Vidal, McCormick,Kingsway, Bassetti and Buchanans.http://www.licorice.org/Herbal RemedyLicorice has been found in the tombs of ancient Egyptian pharaohs.It was used to treat many illnesses, but mainly was used as a tonicand cold remedy. Licorice is one of the mainstays of traditionalChinese medicine and has been used for over 3,000 years as a tonicto rejuvenate the heart and spleen, and as a treatment for ulcers,cold symptoms, and skin disorders. Recently, a sample of historiclicorice from 756 A.D. was analyzed and found to still have activeprinciples even after a century. 1Modern herbalists commonly utilize licorice in treating adrenalinsufficiencies such as hypoglycemia and 's disease, counteractingstress, and in purifying the liver and bloodstream. In combination withother herbs it is recommended as a demulcent to soother mucousmembranes, and as an expectorant useful in treating flu, colds, respiratorydisorders and bronchitis.1 Sigurjonsdottir HA, et al, J Human Hyper ten 1995;9(5):345-348http://www.licorice.org/Health___History/Herbal_Remedy/herbal_remedy.htm

Much Love,

Deanna

~ ~LUPUS Serenity Prayer~~

Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to hide the bodies of doctors I shot when they said, "You're perfectly healthy, it's all in your head"