Licorice Root

Glycyrrhiza glabra

Description: The plant is a 1 to 2 meter high herbaceous perennial. Varieties of the plant may be found in Europe, Asia and the Middle East

Composition: The herb consists of unpeeled, dried roots and runners of the plant. The unpeeled roots contain glycyrrhizic acid, several flavonoids of flavanone and isoflavanone derivatives, and phytosterols and coumarins.

Actions: Accelerate the healing of gastric ulcers. Secretolytic and expectorant effects. Antispasmodic action.

Use: For catarrhs of the upper respiratory tract and gastric/duodenal ulcers.

Contraindications: Cholestatic liver disorders. Liver cirrhosis. Hypertonia. Hypokalemia. Severe kidney insufficiency. Pregnancy.

Side Effects: With prolonged use and higher doses, there may be sodium and water retention and potassium loss, accompanied by hypertension, edema, and hypokalemia, and myoglobinuria (rare).

Cautions: Other drugs (such as thiazide diuretics) may increase potassium loss. Sensitivity to digitalis glycosides increases with the decrease in potassium.

Duration of Administration: Do not use longer than 4 - 6 weeks without medical advice. There is no objection to using licorice root as a flavoring agent up to a maximum daily dosage equivalent to 100 mg glycyrrhizin.