Like many people, you probably picture long strips of black candy when you think of licorice. Licorice is actually a type of herb that goes by the botanical name Glycyrrhiza glabra. Licorice has certain health properties that may soothe nausea and other digestive disorders. Always talk to your doctor before taking herbal medicines to treat health conditions.
About Licorice
Asia, Turkey and Greece grow most of the world's licorice, and both Eastern and Western systems of medicine use this herb to treat certain health conditions. The root of the plant provides the medicinal ingredient, as well as the popular flavoring. Glycyrrhizin, or glycyrrhizic acid, is a chemical compound in licorice. People use this herb for a variety of illnesses, including bacterial infections, sore throat, bronchitis, osteoarthritis, liver disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome and digestive disorders, although scientific research fails to support the benefits of many of these uses.
Nausea Treatment
In combination with other herbs, such as peppermint leaf and lemon balm, licorice is possibly effective in treating the nausea related to heartburn. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends taking DGL-licorice to help protect your stomach from the effects of NSAID medications. The recommended dosage involves consuming 250 to 500 mg of the standardized extract three times each day.
Side Effects
Licorice may cause numerous side effects, usually due to the glycyrrhizin compound it contains. Common side effects include low potassium levels, water retention, increased sodium retention, high blood pressure and heart problems. Licorice increases the amount of fluids in your tissues, increasing your risk of irregular heartbeat. Licorice can lower testosterone levels in males, possibly increasing the symptoms of erectile dysfunction and lowering libido.
Precautions
Tell your doctor about any recurrent, ongoing or worsening symptoms of nausea, in order to rule out an underlying illness. Although licorice may help soothe your stomach, this herb is not a standard treatment for nausea. Licorice may worsen kidney disease, high blood pressure and hypertonia, a condition that affects your nerves and muscles. Licorice can interact with prescription medications, such as blood thinners, estrogens, digoxin, antihypertensive drugs, corticosteroids and water pills. Taking licorice with grapefruit juice or with a high-sodium diet might increase the side effects of this herb, leading to an increase in blood pressure and sodium depletion.
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