What You Need to Know about Licorice Root

Licorice root benefits us because it has been a balancing component in plant blends since time immemorial, and it’s been quietly supporting our respiratory and digestive systems all along!

Licorice Root Benefits

Kfediuk, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This humble herb is an unsung hero when it comes to aiding the body through stressful episodes – they’re almost like herbal sidekicks with an impressive set of qualities, ready to help and promote feelings of relaxation.

But licorice root’s powers don’t stop there – this versatile root might just be valuable enough for you to become a life-long fan!

Read on to learn more about this powerful supplement and how it can help you achieve optimal health.

What Is Licorice Root?

Licorice root is the root of the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant, a legume native to Asia, Europe, and parts of North Africa.

It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and is also found in Ayurvedic medicine.

The root contains two active compounds that are believed to be responsible for its numerous health benefits – glycyrrhizin acid and flavonoids.

1. What is Glycyrrhizin acid?

Glycyrrhizin acid is a unique substance found in the root of licorice plants. It is a powerful chemical known for its sweet taste and highly valued in traditional medicines for its potent anti-inflammatory properties.

It has also been used to treat respiratory difficulties as well as as a remedy for skin problems and aid digestion. Glycyrrhizin acid may be one of nature’s biggest marvels and an invaluable resource when it comes to promoting good health and well-being!

2. What are Flavonoids?

Flavonoids are the superfood your body wants and needs! Often referred to as “nature’s blessing“, these natural compounds are found in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and  medical herbs.

They give fruits and vegetables their vibrant color, offer countless benefits to our overall health, and can even help ward off certain diseases.

Flavonoids have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are essential for keeping us healthy and fit.

FDA Warning:

In large amounts or with long-term use, can cause potassium depletion and increase blood pressure.

Overview of Licorice Root Benefits

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, licorice root can be used to

  • reduce signs of menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings.
  • improved digestion; studies have shown that it can reduce symptoms associated with digestive issues such as bloating and abdominal pain.
  • reduce coughing and soothe sore throats due to its expectorant qualities.
  • boost your immune system by fighting off bacterial and viral infections.

What are Bacterial infections?

Bacterial infections come in all shapes and sizes, much like a villain from a kids’ cartoon. You’ve got the nasty trolls of strep throat, infecting your tonsils until you can barely swallow.

Then there’s the sneaky stealth artists of chlamydia and gonorrhea, quietly wreaking their havoc deep within your body.

Staph infections can sometimes cause skin irritations that bring embarrassment like the wicked witch Grendel from ‘Arthur’.

And then there are the nasty blighters of food poisoning, attacking your tummy like an marauding band of orcs.

Not quite as entertaining as Saturday morning cartoons, but these bacterial infections definitely evoke their own kind of drama in our lives!

What are Viral Infections?

Viral infections may not be as lethal as other medical conditions out there, but they can still make life pretty uncomfortable.

Common types of viral infections include

  • colds and flus, which leave you stuffy-nosed and sniffling
  • hand, foot and mouth disease, a usually mild illness caused by coxsackievirus or enterovirus that causes red spots or blisters on the hands, feet, and mouth
  • hives, which come in the form of itchy red bumps on the skin
  • hepatitis A,B, C leading to inflammation of liver tissue
  • warts from the human papillomavirus causing small flattened lesions on skin surfaces

Most importantly: stay clean! Washing your hands is one surefire way to ward off harmful germs and keep yourself healthy.

Licorice Root Benefits as an Adaptogen

Licorice root has become a beloved herbal ingredient of well-being and health, due to its adaptogen properties that help provide relief in adrenal insufficiency cases.

It also helps protect cortisol levels by preventing the change of cortisol to cortisone, making it an excellent go-to cure for stress-related ailments.

As if that’s not enough, licorice root has made appearances in various antioxidant formulations, arming the body against free radical damage that can lead to certain diseases like cancer and heart failure.

Truly, this powerful little root may be small, but it sure packs a punch!

How To Use Licorice Root

You can purchase licorice root in many forms – capsules, tablets, powders, teas, tinctures, or liquid extracts – depending on your preference or what you need it for specifically.

Precautions

When taking licorice supplements orally (capsules/tablets/powders), make sure to take them with food; this will help prevent any potential side effects such as nausea or headache which may occur if taken on an empty stomach.

If you opt for a tea or tincture form instead, follow the dosage instructions on the packaging carefully.

Of course, we always recommend that you consult with an experienced practitioner before taking licorice root – in high doses, this potent plant can have some unpleasant side effects! But when judiciously used as part of an overall wellness plan, licorice root can help kickstart your journey towards balance and inner harmony.

Licorice Root Benefits Summary

If you have heard of licorice root, but don’t know much about it, don’t worry – you’re not alone. This ancient herbal remedy has been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of ailments, and is becoming increasingly popular today as people seek out natural alternatives to pharmaceuticals.

Licorice root is an ancient herbal remedy with a wide variety of health benefits ranging such as:

  • relieving menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats
  • reducing coughing due to its expectorative properties.
  •  improving digestion
  • boosting the immune system by fighting off bacterial and viral infections

With so many potential uses for this powerful supplement, it’s no wonder why so many people are turning towards natural remedies like licorice root instead of pharmaceuticals!

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