Licorice, also known as Glycirrhiza glabra, is an herb that has been used in Eastern medicine for thousands of years. This tasty herb, commonly called "sweet root," has been revered in both Western and Eastern cultures as a soothing and coating agent for your stomach as well as an expectorant for your respiratory tract. Licorice root contains glycyrrhiza, which may cause serious side effects in some individuals at high doses. However, you can find deglyccyrrhizinated licorice as a replacement supplement that tends to have fewer side effects.
Digestive Support
According to MedlinePlus, licorice may help treat gastritis, or inflammation of your stomach lining. Licorice can act as a demulcent, which gives it a soothing and calming effect on your digestive system. This may help reduce the inflammation associated with the stomach flu and help reduce your flu symptoms such as cramping, pain, nausea and vomiting. Furthermore, licorice may have antimicrobial properties, making it an effective remedy against pathogens that may cause stomach upset.
Preparations
You can find whole, dried licorice root in the peeled or unpeeled form, which you can soak in water, boil for 20 to 30 minutes, strain off the liquid and drink as a tea. Licorice also comes in powder, liquid tincture, tablet or capsule form. Herbal manufacturers commonly prepare licorice in convenient, ready-made tea bags that you can simply add to boiling water, steep for a few minutes and enjoy. You may consider purchasing DGL to avoid any possible negative or undesirable side effects.
Dosage
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, adults can take 5 g of raw licorice boiled as a decoction 3 times per day. In a 1 to 5 ratio liquid tincture, the recommended adult dose is 2 to 5 mL twice daily or 250 to 500 mL of standardized extract in capsule or tablet form three times daily. The adult dose for DGL extract is 0.4 to 1.6 g, three times per day.
Safety
Large doses or long-term use of glycyrrhizinated licorice may lead to salt and water retention as well as high blood pressure. Consider using DGL if you are prone to or have a history of high blood pressure, heart disease or edema. If you are currently taking a diuretic, you may consider avoiding licorice since the combination could lead to dangerously low blood potassium levels. Furthermore, large doses of licorice may negatively affect your body's cortisol levels. Avoid taking licorice during pregnancy since it could cause preterm labor. Consult with your health care provider prior to using licorice.
