Inflammation is an immune response against pathogens, injured tissue and toxic or autoimmune injury. The immune cells secrete chemicals that can result in pain, swelling, warmth or redness in the affected area. Treatment for adults includes corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive agents. You may use herbal supplements to help manage inflammatory disorders, and black licorice is one of them. Before using black licorice or other herbal supplements, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
About Licorice
Licorice, or Glycyrrhiza glabra, is a shrubby perennial that grows in dense clumps. Licorice root is the part of the plant that is used medicinally. It is also an important flavor and aroma component of candy, tobaccos and beverages. Phytonutrients in licorice root offer immense medicinal value and have been used traditionally against a range of conditions including inflammation, ulcers, arthritis, indigestion, gas and infections, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Anti-Inflammatory
C.V. Chandrasekaran and other researchers at the Natural Remedies Pvt. Ltd. in India confirmed that black licorice root does provide anti-inflammatory properties in vivo and in vitro. It is described in a paper published in the February 2011 issue of the "Phytomedicine" journal. It seems to exert anti-inflammatory effects partially through inhibition of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase -- chief inflammatory enzymes -- and through invoking your body's own anti-inflammatory response. Human clinical trials are underway to study the effects of black licorice on inflammation.
Joint Inflammation
Because of its strong anti-inflammatory properties, black licorice is incorporated in many joint supplements. Scientists at the Yonsei University College of Dentistry in South Korea examined the effects of black licorice supplementation on joint inflammation in animal research models. The results of this study, published in the "Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology" in 2010, suggested that black licorice extract might help reduce pain associated with acute and chronic joint inflammations. However, human studies in this area report mixed results.
Considerations
Licorice extract can cause side effects and its use requires close supervision and careful monitoring. A safe upper limit for licorice root is 0.3 g daily, notes the Mississippi Baptist Health Systems. You should not use black licorice at doses for more than two weeks. It might cause high blood pressure, fluid retention and potassium depletion. Because black licorice increases the therapeutic effects of corticosteroids drugs, it should not be used in conjunction with them.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Licorice
- "Phytomedicine": Dual Inhibitory Effect of Glycyrrhiza Glabra (GutGard™) on COX and LOX Products; C.V. Chandrasekaran, et al.; February 2011
- "Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology": Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Licorice and Roasted Licorice Extracts on TPA-Induced Acute Inflammation and Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Mice; K.R. Kim, et al.; March 2010
- Mississippi Baptist Health Systems: Licorice
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