Licorice is good, but better not to overdo it

Licorice , whose scientific name is Glycyrrhiza glabra , is a perennial plant that grows wild in the Mediterranean basin , although it is also not uncommon to find it in countries such as India, Russia and China.

It belongs to the Fabaceae family , more often known as  legumes . Its smooth stem can reach up to one meter in length, the leaves can exceed 10 cm, while the purplish-blue flowers are cyclically replaced by oblong 2-3 cm long fruits.

Being rich in sugars, the “sweet root” (this is the meaning of the Greek Glycyrrhiza) is widely used in modern industry: not only in the preparation of a wide variety of licorice candies, but also in the production of flavorings and sweeteners for a large quantity of products (tobacco, chewing gum, sweets, ice cream, drinks)

But licorice also has various beneficial properties, known and appreciated for some time, so much so that its history  and tradition  date back many centuries  .

Not only was it known to the Greeks and Latins , who used it in the preparation of medicines and remedies, but it is also well documented among the ancient Assyrian, Egyptian, Chinese and Indian peoples. Traditional Chinese medicine considers it a cure- all for gastrointestinal disorders, coughs , bronchitis and arthritis , while popular medicine considers  it a natural remedy for respiratory infections , gastritis, ulcers and tremors.

Commonly used to prepare an excellent tea, ideal for quenching thirst, in certain regions licorice is also dried and transformed into a product for dental hygiene.

In short, from its roots we obtain an extract with a very pleasant taste and an unmistakable taste, whose properties known throughout the world never cease to amaze, both in the kitchen and in the medical field. Sometimes, however, we forget that it is good to pay attention to how much we take, especially in certain conditions. Here are all the merits … and the precautions to be taken.

Friend of stomach and intestines

Used and appreciated in the East for thousands of years as a remedy for stomach aches and liver disorders , but also to cure coughs (so much so that it can be found in various infusions and in some syrups), licorice owes its virtues above all to the presence and to the combination of flavonoids and its active ingredient ( glycyrrhizin , or glycyrrhizic acid). In fact, the former have antispasmodic activity on the stomach muscles while glycyrrhizin is ascribed a significant anti-inflammatory, mucoprotective and healing action.

For this reason it is indicated and has always been used to facilitate digestion and as a protector of the gastric mucosa , even when taking gastro-damaging drugs and in gastroduodenal ulcers .

Furthermore, it performs a laxative action thanks to the presence of mannite, a sugar capable of counteracting constipation by attracting water into the intestine and facilitating the emptying of the colon.

Calm your cough

But its virtues don’t end there: thanks to its anti-inflammatory, calming and soothing properties it is useful in case of cough, both dry and oily , given that it is also able to fluidify bronchial secretions, helping to expel phlegm.

Furthermore, it seems to have a mild antiviral, disinfectant and healing activity , which make it an excellent remedy for abrasions of the mucous membranes of the mouth and gums as well as in case of sore throat, even from smoking.

And, speaking of smokers , not only is it excellent for perfuming the breath, but it is also a good ally if one decides to give up this habit : the stick helps, replacing the cigarette even in gestures.

Helps the liver

The benefits of licorice are also highlighted on the liver, heart and circulation. In fact, it has been seen that the dry extract has a hepatoprotective action and can induce, in a short time, an increase in glycogen and a reduction in triglycerides and transaminases in the liver of people with liver failure .

Effects that have been attributed to the antioxidant activity of flavonoids which, by fighting free radicals, also offer protection from diseases affecting the cardiovascular system.

Turn up the pressure

Finally, increasing blood pressure is one of the best-known actions of this root, which is often recommended for those with low blood pressure : glycyrrhizin acts on aldosterone levels by increasing sodium and water retention and the elimination of potassium .

But the increase in blood pressure and the depletion of potassium are also the main undesirable effects of licorice: taking more than 20 grams a day continuously can cause serious problems, for example, for those suffering from hypertension.

Beware of doses and prolonged use

Doctors therefore advise not to abuse it: it is better not to exceed 500 mg of glycyrrhizin per day and, above all, it is better to avoid taking it for long periods (over 4/6 weeks) to avoid effects such as increased blood pressure , water , face and ankle edema , asthenia, muscle pain, headache .

It should be considered that 10 grams of licorice roots correspond to about 1 gram of glycyrrhizin, therefore the indicated dose is 2-5 grams of pulverized root per day.

In addition to hypertensives, its consumption is also not recommended for those suffering from renal insufficiency , water retention, cirrhosis of the liver and diabetics. The same precautions must be taken by people using the contraceptive pill since hypokalaemia and hypertension appear to be enhanced by the association of hormonal contraceptives and licorice.

Recent studies also warn us that caution should also be exercised in pregnant women : licorice taken in high doses can cause damage to the fetus, which once born could present cognitive and behavioral deficits. During the early stages of breastfeeding it could affect milk production causing it to decrease.

And, precisely as a consequence of the possible negative effects, the European Union has long established that the presence of glycyrrhizin must be clearly indicated on the labels of drinks and foods that contain glycyrrhizin.