|
Plant
Remedies Liquorice
Liquorice glycyrrhiza
spp / Yashti-madhu
Liquorice has been
used medicinally since at least 500 BC and still features in official
pharmacopoeia as a "drug" for stomach ulcers. It is known in
China as the "great detoxifier" and is thought to drive poisons
from the system.
The plant is graceful, have light spreading
foliage and is a member of the Leguminosae family. The root glycyrrhhiza
glabra contains glycyrrhizin, 50 times sweeter than sucrose, which
encourages the production of hormones such as hydrocortisone. This helps
to explain its anti-inflammatory action and also its role in stimulating
the adrenal cortex after steroid therapy.
It is a popular well-known remedy for coughs,
tuberculosis and chest complaints notably bronchitis.
Constituents
Saponins, glycosides,
oestrogenous substances, coumarins, flavonoids, sterols, choline,
asparagine, volatile oil
Character
Chinese herbal
medicine regards it as very sweet, neutral, moist
Action
It traditionally acts
as an anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, tonic stimulant for adrenal
cortex, it can lower blood cholesterol levels, can soothe gastric mucous
membranes, possibly anti-allergenic, is cooling and an expectorant.
Application
Tincture It is traditionally used as an
anti-inflammatory for arthritic or allergic conditions. It can be used as
a digestive stimulant or for lung disorders. It can be prescribed for
gastric inflammation or to encourage adrenal function after steroid
therapy.
Syrup This
can be taken in a syrup as a soothing expectorant in asthma and
bronchitis.
Cautions
Avoid liquorice in high blood pressure, as it is
believed to cause fluid retention. Liquorice
should not be taken by people on digoxin-based drugs.
return to top
This page was last updated on 18 December 2006 21:05:30
|
