Licorice is a plant found growing wild in parts of Europe and Asia, but it is cultivated all over the world. The dried root from the plant is used to make herbal remedies to treat a variety of ailments. Before using licorice, ask your health care provider for advice.
Age Spots Explained
Age spots, also known as liver spots, are darkened areas on the skin. They're usually found on people over 40, but can show up on the skin of younger people, too, according to the Mayo Clinic. These spots are generally harmless, unless they look like skin cancer. In that case, you should have them evaluated by a dermatologist or other health care professional. Many people choose to use bleaching products to lighten age spots, but preventing their development by using sunblock is a healthier choice.
Licorice Uses
The University of Maryland Medical Center website lists several common uses for licorice. Licorice is often used to treat such conditions as peptic ulcers, eczema, canker sores, colds, cough and indigestion. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, licorice is also used as a treatment for Addison's disease, dermatitis, familial Mediterranean fever, dental hygiene and inflammation. The greatest potential for licorice's help with age spots, however, is the research presented in an article on the PubMed.gov website.
Research
Licorice is one of the herbal ingredients that has been studied for the past 20 years to see how effective it is as an ingredient in skin care products. The PubMed.gov site reports that licorice is among the herbs named the most promising for treating skin conditions, especially those involving hyperpigmentation or discoloration of the skin. Age spots are examples of this type of skin discoloration.
Forms Used
The University of Maryland Medical Center website describes how quality products containing licorice are made. First, the root of the licorice plant is peeled and dried; then it is made into a powder and used to make tablets, capsules, teas and liquid extracts. It's the extract of licorice that is added to skin care products.
Considerations
The University of Maryland Medical Center warns that some people may have allergic reactions to licorice. Be alert for signs of an allergic reaction. If you experience any rashes or hives while using licorice, stop using it and contact your health care provider.
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