Licorice, or licorice nude, is a long-stemmed perennial herb that is a natural substitute for sugar. Even in Ancient Egypt and China, they used its healing properties, it is widely known to this day.
Licorice is usually found in the steppe regions, near roads, along the banks of rivers and seas, in semi-deserts. This plant belongs to the legume family. It grows well in temperate and subtropical climates, tolerates a lack of moisture quite easily, it is often used to strengthen sands.
Licorice candies, called licorice, began to be produced in England in the 18th century, and in Finland they are considered a national delicacy. In China, licorice is included in almost all Tibetan medicine recipes. In Russia, licorice can be found in the southern regions, in the Caucasus, in Western Siberia and on the coast of the Azov Sea. All the healing properties are contained in the roots of the plant, which are harvested in spring or late autumn, dried and crushed.
Licorice root contains vitamins of group B, C, flavonoids, pectin, polysaccharides, fatty acids, essential oil, tannins and mucous substances, mineral salts, carotene, coumarins, amino acids, protein, alkaloids, etc.
The sweet taste of licorice is due to the glycyrrhizin content. This substance, which is ten times sweeter than sugar, is often used as a natural sweetener. Due to the content of glycyrrhizic acid, licorice has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic properties.
Licorice root is part of various expectorant charges, syrups, lozenges and cough mixtures. Licorice effectively helps with various respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, asthma, tuberculosis, laryngitis, pneumonia, dry cough, smoker's cough.
It helps to restore the body in cardiac pathologies, in hypotension, in vascular and thyroid diseases. In addition, licorice root has an enveloping effect on the gastric mucosa, being a mild laxative. It also helps with diabetes, increasing the production of insulin, being a natural sweetener.
A decoction of licorice roots is taken for ailments of the gastrointestinal tract. Licorice is effective in treating skin diseases, it is also used as a cosmetic product. It has whitening, anti-aging properties and also stimulates collagen production in the skin.
The anti-inflammatory properties of this plant have a protective and wound healing effect in hepatitis, cope with diseases of the bladder and restore the functioning of the pancreas.
Licorice is rich in flavonoids, antioxidants, so doctors advise taking it for cancer.
Licorice root has long been considered an excellent antidote, thanks to which it is used for various intoxications and poisoning. It perfectly relieves fatigue, improves brain activity. In addition, licorice helps with joint diseases, gout and rheumatism.
Licorice is contraindicated in people with impaired water-salt balance, hypertension and kidney problems. It is able to retain water in the body, therefore it is not recommended for pregnant women. Licorice is also not indicated for children under the age of two.
Licorice is prohibited with increased adrenal activity.
People suffering from hypertension and taking a diuretic are shown to take drugs that do not contain glycyrrhizin. When taking licorice-based products, include potassium-rich foods in your diet. This is due to the fact that substances contained in licorice root can significantly reduce the level of potassium in the body. This ultimately leads to muscle weakness and kidney failure. Licorice is categorically contraindicated in patients with myocardium and pericarditis, as well as in liver cirrhosis.
