The menopause signals the end of fertility and occurs when levels of the hormones, estrogen and progesterone, decline. Although menopause is a natural event in every woman's life rather than a medical condition, some women find menopausal symptoms such as weight gain, hot flashes, night sweats and depression, difficult to live with. Hormone replacement therapy helps alleviate symptoms but can increase the risk of breast cancer and heart disease. As a result, some women seek a more natural alternative. Licorice tea is sometimes used to reduce menopausal symptoms although evidence to prove it is effective is lacking. Get medical clearance before using herbs.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Licorice, also sometimes known as sweet root, is a popular flavoring agent that is also commonly used in Chinese medicine to alleviate symptoms of a variety of ailments including peptic ulcers, bronchitis, prostate cancer and hepatitis. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center notes that it contains chemicals that may confer estrogen-like effects and, therefore, it is also sometimes used to alleviate menopausal symptoms.
Administration
Licorice tea may be purchased in pre-prepared sachets, but if you prefer to make fresh licorice tea, the University of Maryland Medical Center suggests adding between 1 g and 5 g of dried licorice root to a cup of hot water and leaving the infusion to cool before consuming. Consume up to three times daily. Check with a healthcare professional that this dose is suitable for you.
Effectiveness
Clinical trials evaluating the effects of licorice tea on menopausal symptoms are lacking. In addition, research findings published in the May 2001 issue of the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Medicine" show that although licorice acts upon estrogen receptors in the body, its effects are weak. Research findings published in the March 2002 issue of "Menopause" also shows that licorice root has little estrogen-like activity.
Safety Considerations
MedlinePlus notes that medicinal quantities of licorice might be safe, however, long-term use may cause a number of side effects including hypertension, cardiac arrythmia, carpal tunnel syndrome and weakness. Don't drink licorice root tea if you have high blood pressure, heart disease or a hormone-sensitive cancer. Also avoid licorice if you have hypertonia, kidney disease or a potassium deficiency. Keep in mind that licorice might interact with other medicines you may be taking including anticoagulants and estrogens.
References
- BBC - Health: Menopause
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Licorice
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Licorice
- "Journal of Agricultural and Food Medicine"; Evaluation of Estrogenic Activity of Plant Extracts for the Potential Treatment of Menopausal Symptoms; J. Liu, et al.; May 2001
- "Menopause"; Estrogenic Activity of Herbs Commonly Used as Remedies for Menopausal Symptoms; P. Amato, et al.; March 2002
- MedlinePlus: Licorice
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