Benefit of Liquorice

Liquorice come from Turkey and Greece, and it is a member of the pea family. The medicinal property come from the root, and contains glycyrrhizin. Liquorice also contains phytoestrogens (the good oestrogens), and flavonoids (anti-oxidants). Liquorice is quite bitter and quite often in a chewing form, sugar or other forms of sweets is added to it. Liquorice in a capsule forms supports the adrenal glands (the gland that makes the adrenaline to support stress). Liquorice increases the immune system and in particular the interferon, which is the virus fighting part of the immune system. The DGL form (deglycyrrhizinated liquorice has glycyrrhizin removed) helps is also beneficial to the digestive system and respiratory system, as well as thinning mucus if you have a thick cough. Liquorice does increase the blood pressure so if you are on blood pressure lowering medication or you tend to have high blood pressure you need to be cautious of taking this. Because of the effect on the adrenal glands it is quite often used in chronic fatigue syndrome (exhaustion stage of the stress response). Liquorice herb can be taken for fighting inflammation; in case of hepatitis it seems to reduce inflammation caused by the virus. It is fought that the DGL form helps with preventing ulcers in case of stress, especially the chewable wafer type.

It is possible that people who do love and eat pure liquorice quite a lot, might in a unconscious way support their adrenal glands, as they might be struggling to keep up with the stress that is going on in their body. If you are eating the DGL one, in sweets, than it is possible that you are supporting your digestive system, which can be damaged by long term stress.

Liquorice sweets are sweetened with aniseed oil and if you have a lot of it, you might risk raising your blood pressure. However if you do have a low blood pressure and you are under a lot of stress, this might help your adrenals not to give up too soon. The DGL type does not seem to raise blood pressure.

Bibliography:

Lamberts – The practitioner guide to supplements – Lamberts Healthcare Ltd