A mixture of DGL and warm water applied to the inside of the mouth may shorten the healing time for canker sores, according to a double-blind trial. It can then be swished in the mouth for two to three minutes, then spit out. This procedure may be repeated each morning and evening for one week. Chewable DGL tablets may be an acceptable substitute. Carminatives are a class of herbs commonly used for infants with colic.
These herbs tend to relax intestinal spasms. Chamomile is a carminative with long history of use as a calming herb and may be used to ease intestinal cramping in colicky infants. A soothing tea made from chamomile, vervain , licorice , fennel , and lemon balm has been shown to relieve colic more effectively than placebo. In a double-blind study, a proprietary product containing marshmallow root , licorice root , and elm bark Throat Coat was effective in providing rapid, temporary relief of sore throat pain in people with acute pharyngitis.
Throat Coat was taken as a tea in the amount of 5 to 8 ounces, 4 to 6 times per day, for two to seven days. The Chinese herb bupleurum is included in two similar Chinese herbal formulae known as sho-saiko-to and saiko-keishi-to; these combinations contain the same herbs but in different proportions. The other ingredients are peony root, pinellia root, cassia bark, ginger root, jujube fruit, Asian ginseng root, Asian scullcap root, and licorice root.
Both formulas have been shown in preliminary trials to be helpful for people with epilepsy. No negative interactions with a variety of anticonvulsant drugs were noted in these trials. The usual amount taken of these formulas is 2. People with epilepsy should not use either formula without first consulting with a healthcare professional. Licorice , particularly as chewable deglycyrrhizinated licorice DGL , has been shown to be an effective treatment for the healing of stomach and duodenal ulcers ; in an uncontrolled trial, licorice was effective as a treatment for aphthous ulcers canker sores.
A synthetic drug similar to an ingredient of licorice has been used as part of an effective therapy for GERD in both uncontrolled and double-blind trials. In a comparison trial, this combination proved to be as effective as cimetidine Tagamet , a common drug used to treat GERD.
However, licorice itself remains unexamined as a treatment for GERD. One of the active constituents in licorice , glycyrrhizin, is sometimes used in Japan as an injected therapy for hepatitis B and C. Glycyrrhizin also blocks hepatitis A virus from replicating in test tubes. One preliminary trial found that use of 2. Because glycyrrhizin can cause high blood pressure and other problems, it should only be taken on the advice of a healthcare practitioner.
Preliminary trials have shown that the bupleurum -containing formula sho-saiko-to can help reduce symptoms and blood liver enzyme levels in children and adults with chronic active viral hepatitis. Most of theses trials were in people with hepatitis B infection, though one preliminary trial has also shown a benefit in people with hepatitis C. Sho-saiko-to was also found, in a large preliminary trial to decrease the risk of people with chronic viral hepatitis developing liver cancer.
However, people who had a sign of recent hepatitis B infection were not as strongly protected in this trial. The usual amount of sho-saiko-to used is 2. Sho-saiko-to should not be used together with interferon drug therapy as it may increase risk of pneumonitis - a potentially dangerous inflammation in the lungs.
Licorice has shown the ability to inhibit reproduction of HIV in test tubes. Clinical trials have shown that injections of glycyrrhizin isolated from licorice may have a beneficial effect on AIDS. There is preliminary evidence that orally administered licorice also may be safe and effective for long-term treatment of HIV infection. Amounts of licorice or glycyrrhizin used for treating HIV-positive people warrant monitoring by a physician, because long-term use of these substances can cause high blood pressure , potassium depletion, or other problems.
Approximately 2 grams of licorice root should be taken per day in capsules or as tea. The Chinese herb bupleurum is an important component of the formula known as sho-saiko-to.
Sho-saiko-to was shown in one preliminary trial to reduce the risk of liver cancer in people with liver cirrhosis. The amount of this formula used was 2. Traditionally, herbs that have a soothing action on bronchioles are also used for asthma. These include marshmallow , mullein , hyssop , and licorice. Elecampane has been used traditionally to treat coughs associated with asthma. One case report described a man with CFS whose symptoms improved after taking 2. While there have been no controlled trials to test licorice in patients with CFS, it may be worth a trial of six to eight weeks using 2 to 3 grams of licorice root daily.
Licorice in the form of a cream or gel may be applied directly to herpes sores three to four times per day. Licorice extracts containing glycyrrhizin or glycyrrhetinic acid should be used, as these are the constituents in licorice most likely to provide activity against the herpes simplex virus.
There are no controlled trials demonstrating the effectiveness of this treatment, but a cream containing a synthetic version of glycyrrhetinic acid carbenoxolone was reported to speed healing time and reduce pain in people with herpes simplex. The mucilage of slippery elm gives it a soothing effect for coughs. Usnea also contains mucilage, which may be helpful in easing irritating coughs.
There is a long tradition of using wild cherry syrups to treat coughs. Other traditional remedies to relieve coughs include bloodroot , catnip , comfrey the above-ground parts, not the root , horehound , elecampane , mullein , lobelia , hyssop , licorice , mallow , Malvia sylvestris , red clover , ivy leaf , pennyroyal Hedeoma pulegioides, Mentha pulegium , onion , Allium cepa , and plantain Plantago lanceolata, P.
None of these has been investigated in human trials, so their true efficacy for relieving coughs is unknown. A variety of anti-inflammatory herbs historically have been recommended by doctors for people with Crohn's disease. These include yarrow , chamomile , licorice , and aloe juice. Cathartic preparations of aloe should be avoided. No research has been conducted to validate the use of these herbs for Crohn's disease. Zemaphyte, a traditional Chinese herbal preparation that includes licorice as well as nine other herbs, has been successful in treating childhood and adult eczema in double-blind trials.
One or two packets of the combination is mixed in hot water and taken once per day. Because one study included the same amount of licorice in both the placebo and the active medicine, it is unlikely that licorice is the main active component of Zemaphyte.
Several Chinese herbal creams for eczema have been found to be adulterated with steroids. The authors of one study found that 8 of 11 Chinese herbal creams purchased without prescription in England contained a powerful steroid drug used to treat inflammatory skin conditions.
Many of the same herbs that are helpful for peptic ulcers may also aid people with gastritis. Licorice root, for example, has been traditionally used to soothe inflammation and injury in the stomach.
Its flavonoid constituents have been found to stall the growth of H. However, there have been no clinical trials using licorice to treat gastritis. To avoid potential side effects, such as increasing blood pressure and water weight gain, many physicians recommend deglycyrrhizinated licorice DGL.
This form of licorice retains its healing qualities by removing the glycyrrhizin that causes problems in some people. Licorice root Glycyrrhiza glabra contains antiviral substances and ointments containing related substances are effective in treating herpes infections.
While the use of topical licorice preparations to prevent or treat genital herpes has not been studied, some alternative healthcare practitioners recommend applying creams or gels containing licorice three to four times a day.
The Japanese herbal formula known as sho-seiryu-to has been shown to reduce symptom, such as sneezing, for people with hay fever.
Sho-seiryu-to contains licorice , cassia bark, schisandra , ma huang, ginger , peony root , pinellia, and asiasarum root. Fifteen people of normal weight consumed 3.
Body fat was measured before and after treatment. Licorice appeared to reduce body fat mass and to suppress the hormone aldosterone; however, the people in the study retained more water.
Another study found that a topical preparation of glycyrrhetinic acid a component of licorice reduced the thickness of fat on the thigh in human subjects. A third study found that people who took mg of licorice flavonoid oil daily for 8 weeks experienced reductions in body fat, body weight, body mass index, and LDL cholesterol levels. More studies are needed to say if licorice really helps reduce fat. In addition, taking licorice long term has a number of health risks.
Preliminary research suggests licorice may be effective at reducing hot flashes. One study found that licoricee seems more effective than HRT in improving hot flash duration. More research is needed. Licorice products are made from peeled and unpeeled, dried root. There are powdered and finely cut root preparations made for teas, tablets, and capsules, as well as liquid extracts. Some licorice extracts do not contain glycyrrhizin. These extracts are known as deglycyrrhizinated licorice DGL , and do not seem to have the undesired side effects of other forms of licorice.
Some studies suggest DGL may be better for stomach or duodenal ulcers. DGL may offer protection against ulcer formation when taken with aspirin. Pediatric Older children who have a sore throat can chew a piece of licorice root or drink licorice tea. Ask your doctor to help you determine the right dose for your child. DO NOT give a child licorice tea for more than a day without talking to your doctor. Never give licorice tea to an infant or toddler. DO NOT use licorice for longer than a week without talking to your doctor due to the risk of potentially dangerous side effects.
The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, contain components that can trigger side effects and that can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, you should take herbs with care, under the supervision of a health care provider in the field of botanical medicine. Licorice with glycyrrhizin may cause serious side effects.
Too much glycyrrhizin causes a condition called pseudoaldosteronism, which can cause a person to become overly sensitive to a hormone in the adrenal cortex. This condition can lead to headaches, fatigue, high blood pressure, and even heart attacks.
It may also cause water retention, which can lead to leg swelling and other problems. Although the dangerous effects mostly happen with high doses of licorice or glycyrrhizin, smaller amounts of licorice may cause side effects. Some people have muscle pain or numbness in the arms and legs. To be safe, ask your provider to monitor your use of licorice. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take licorice.
Some studies suggest that taking licorice during pregnancy can increase the risk of stillbirth. Licorice may interfere with several medications, including the ones listed below. If you are taking any medication, ask your doctor before taking licorice.
ACE inhibitors and diuretics. If you are taking angiotensin converting enzyme ACE inhibitors or diuretics for high blood pressure, you should not use licorice products.
Licorice could cause these medications to not work as well, or could make side effects worse, including a build up of potassium in the body. ACE inhibitors include:. Because licorice may dangerously increase the risk of toxic effects from digoxin, do not take this herb with this medication.
Licorice may increase the effects of corticosteroid medications. Glycyrrhiza glabra is a perennial, temperate-zone herb or subshrub, 3 to 7 feet high, with a long, cylindrical, branched, flexible, and burrowing rootstock with runners Fig.
The parts used are the dried runners and roots, which are collected in the fall. The intestinal flora is believed to hydrolyze glycyrrhizin, yielding the aglycone molecule glycyrrhetinic acid and a sugar moiety, resulting in absorption of both. A processed licorice extract, deglycyrrhizinated licorice DGL , which is used in the treatment of peptic and aphthous ulcers, is made by removing the glycyrrhizin molecule.
The active components of DGL are flavonoids. These compounds demonstrated impressive protection against chemically induced ulcer formation in animal studies. Other active constituents of licorice include isoflavonoids e. The medicinal use of licorice in both Western and Eastern cultures dates back several thousand years.
It was used primarily as a demulcent, expectorant, antitussive, and mild laxative. Licorice is one of the most popular components of Chinese medicines. Its traditional uses include treating peptic ulcers, asthma, pharyngitis, malaria, abdominal pain, insomnia, and infections. Licorice is known to exhibit many pharmacological actions, including the following 3 :. Although much of the pharmacology focuses on glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid, it is worth remembering that licorice has many other components, such as flavonoids, which may have significant pharmacological effects.
Most herbalists generally believe that glycyrrhiza exhibits alterative action on estrogen metabolism i. The estrogenic activity of the isoflavones appears to be more significant than the estrogen antagonism of glycyrrhetinic acid.
Long-term ingestion of glycyrrhiza in large doses leads to a well-documented pseudoaldosteronism syndrome i. Therefore it can be concluded that its primary effects are largely a result of glycyrrhetinic acid inhibiting the breakdown of aldosterone in the liver.
Glycyrrhiza has significant anti-inflammatory and antiallergic activity. Glycyrrhetinic acid can also increase the conversion of cortisol to the more powerful cortisone. In addition to this effect, glycyrrhizin was also shown to inhibit cyclic adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase, thereby raising cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels and prostaglandin formation by activated peritoneal macrophages from rats.
Glycyrrhizin exerts antithrombotic effects but does not potentiate the inhibitory activity of antithrombin III or heparin cofactor II toward thrombin. Glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid were shown to induce interferon. The induction of interferon is also followed by activation of macrophages and augmentation of natural killer cell activity.
Other licorice components exerted immunomodulatory effects as well. Licorice components exert a wide range of anticancer effects. For example, isoliquiritigenin was shown to suppress colon cancer in mice via markedly decreasing both prostaglandin E 2 and nitric oxide production in mouse macrophage cells.
Alcohol extracts of glycyrrhiza displayed antimicrobial activity in vitro against Helicobacter pylori, Staphylococcus aureus including antibiotic resistant strains , Streptococcus mutans, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Bacillus subtilis, S. Glycyrrhetinic acid inhibits carbon tetrachloride and galactosamine-induced liver damage. The mechanism of action is prevention of nonenzymatic lipid peroxidation and inhibition of the production of free radicals by the enzymatic action of nicotine adenine disphosphonucleotide, reduced—cytochrome P reductase on CCl4.
Licorice may exert some memory-enhancing effects. In a study in mice, licorice was shown to enhance learning and memory in mice as determined by the elevated plus-maze and passive avoidance paradigm.
Furthermore, licorice significantly reversed the amnesia induced by diazepam and scopolamine. Although anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties may contribute favorably to the memory-enhancing effect, because scopolamine-induced amnesia was reversed as well, it is possible that the beneficial effect on learning and memory was a result of facilitation of cholinergic transmission. Glabridin, an isoflavan isolated from G. Licorice is a component of more traditional Chinese and Japanese herbal formulas than any other herb and has been commonly used in Western natural medicine and herbalism for centuries.
Although extremely pharmacologically diverse, the current clinical applications of licorice can be divided into four main categories:. The key use of DGL is in ulcerative conditions of the gastrointestinal tract e. Topical preparations containing glycyrrhetinic acid can be used in eczema, psoriasis, herpes, and melasma. Although glycyrrhetinic acid was the first drug proven to promote healing of gastric and duodenal ulcers, 43 most physicians using licorice in the treatment of peptic ulcers now use DGL.
DGL was actually shown to be more effective than glycyrrhetinic acid, without side effects. Although effective, these treatments can be expensive, carry some risk of toxicity, disrupt normal digestive processes, and alter the structure and function of the cells that line the digestive tract.
The latter factor is just one of the reasons why peptic ulcers develop again if antacids, cimetidine, ranitidine, and similar drugs are used. Rather than inhibit the release of acid, DGL stimulates the normal defense mechanisms that prevent ulcer formation and stimulate healing of the damaged mucous membranes.
Specifically, DGL increases the following 45 , 46 :. In addition, several flavonoid components of G. Response to treatment was Numerous clinical studies over the years found DGL to be an effective antiulcer compound. DGL was shown to be extremely effective in the treatment of gastric ulcers. In several head-to-head comparison studies, DGL was shown to be more effective than cimetidine Tagamet , ranitidine Zantac , or antacids in both short-term treatment and maintenance therapy of peptic ulcers.
Although Tagamet is associated with some significant side effects, DGL is extremely safe to use. Gastric ulcers are often a result of using alcohol, aspirin, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, caffeine, and other factors that decrease the integrity of the gastric lining. Because DGL was shown in human studies to reduce the gastric bleeding caused by aspirin, DGL is strongly indicated for the prevention of gastric ulcers in patients requiring long-term treatment with ulcerogenic drugs such as aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and corticosteroids.
DGL is also effective in duodenal ulcers. All 40 patients showed substantial improvement, usually within 5 to 7 days, and none required surgery during the 1-year follow-up. Although both dosages were effective, the higher dosage was significantly more effective than the lower dosage. In another more recent study, the therapeutic effect of DGL was compared with that of antacids or cimetidine in patients with confirmed chronic duodenal ulcers.
However, there were fewer relapses in the DGL group 8. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis canker sores is a common problem. DGL may be effective in promoting healing. In one study, 20 patients were instructed to use a solution of DGL as a mouthwash mg powdered DGL dissolved in mL warm water four times daily. DGL in tablet form may produce even better results.
The most popular use of oral licorice preparations containing glycyrrhizin is in the treatment of viral illnesses, particularly the common cold. Licorice has long been used in this application. This historical use is justified by its immune-enhancing and antiviral effects. In addition, licorice components were shown to exert antibacterial action against the common pathogens S.
Another popular use of licorice is in the treatment of gynecological issues, primarily PMS and menopause. Regarding PMS, because glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid possess antiestrogenic effects and suppress the breakdown of progesterone, administration of licorice 2 weeks before the onset of menstruation the midluteal phase may help reduce PMS symptomatology.
Clinical trials showed that taking licorice containing herbal combinations was useful in dysmenorrhea. Although much of the research featured intravenous administration, this route of administration might not be necessary, as glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid are easily absorbed orally and are well tolerated.
This was most evident in a recent double-blind study on the clinical effectiveness of glycyrrhizin by long-term oral administration to 16 hemophiliac patients with evidence of HIV infection. Helper and total T-lymphocyte numbers, other immune system parameters, and glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid levels in the blood were monitored. The results indicated that orally administered glycyrrhizin was converted into glycyrrhetinic acid, which was detected in sera, without manifesting any side effects.
None of the patients given the glycyrrhizin had progression of immunological abnormalities or development to AIDS. In contrast, the group not receiving glycyrrhetinic acid showed decreases in helper and total T-cell counts and antibody levels. Two of the 16 patients in the control group developed AIDS.
This product is used in Japan primarily for the treatment of hepatitis. Glycine was shown to prevent the aldosterone effects of glycyrrhizin, whereas cysteine aids the liver in detoxification reactions. Glycyrrhizin therapy appears particularly helpful in patients with chronic hepatitis C who fail to respond to interferon and in those who cannot be treated with it for various reasons.
This disorder of heme biosynthesis is characterized by recurrent attacks of neurological and psychiatric dysfunction. The symptoms include the following:. Because estrogens are known to exacerbate or induce acute intermittent porphyria AIP , it is quite possible that some of the so-called PMS symptoms are exacerbations of AIP caused by the midcycle estrogen surge. Preparations containing glycyrrhetinic acid may be effective in reducing various issues related to syndrome X or metabolic syndrome.
For example, in a preliminary study, 15 normal-weight subjects 7 males, 22—26 years old, and 8 females, 21—26 years old , who consumed 3. Glycyrrhizin was found to significantly increase the concentration of total and free prednisolone by inhibiting its breakdown.
Furthermore, the effects of prednisolone appeared to be potentiated by glycyrrhizin. One interesting application shown with positive clinical results in a double-blind study was reduction of postoperative sore throat. One group received water Group C ; the other received 0. Both groups gargled 5 minutes before anesthesia. Postoperative sore throat incidence and severity as well as postextubation cough were reduced for all time points in the licorice group compared with the water group at rest and on swallowing.
Because glycyrrhizin is 50 to times sweeter than sucrose, licorice can be used as a sweetening or flavoring agent to mask the bitter taste of other medications.
LFO shows promise as an antiobesity and weight loss agent. The extracted licorice flavonoids are hydrophobic compounds and virtually free of the hydrophilic compounds glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhizinic acid there is less than 0.
LFO decreases the activity of acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase and fatty acid synthase, the rate-limiting enzymes in the fatty acid synthetic pathway, while increasing the enzymatic activity of acyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the fatty acid oxidative pathway.
These effects are thought to be responsible for the reduction in abdominal fat in animal and human studies. The subjects in the mg LFO group experienced significant decreases from baseline in body weight and body mass index compared with the placebo group Table The subjects in all three LFO groups, but not the placebo group, had significantly lower body fat masses compared with baseline after 8 weeks of treatment.
Computed tomographic scans showed that visceral fat mass decreased significantly compared with baseline in the mg LFO group Another study with LFO was conducted to determine its ability to increase the muscle mass of elderly patients. Fifty subjects aged 54 to 90 years 7 men, 43 women , who underwent rehabilitation treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee, were assigned to either the LFO mg per day or placebo group. In addition, the body fat percentage and body trunk fat percentage of the LFO group were also reduced.
Glycyrrhetinic acid exerts an effect similar to that of topical hydrocortisone in the treatment of eczema, contact and allergic dermatitis, and psoriasis.
In one study, glycyrrhetinic acid in a concentration of 0. Clinical studies showed topical glycyrrhetinic acid and derivatives to be quite helpful in reducing the healing time and pain associated with cold sores and genital herpes. Two components, glabrene and isoliquiritigenin, can inhibit tyrosinase—a key enzyme in melanin biosynthesis.
Glabrene and isoliquiritigenin may serve as candidates for skin-lightening agents. The dosage of licorice for most clinical applications is based on the content of glycyrrhetinic acid. The exception is in the treatment of peptic ulcer. In this application, DGL is preferred, as it produces equally effective results compared with glycyrrhetinic acid but is free from any side effects.
In general, the following doses three times a day are safe and effective in raising glycyrrhetinic acid levels:. In the treatment of AIDS, pure glycyrrhetinic acid products or extracts standardized for glycyrrhetinic acid are recommended. To be effective in healing peptic ulcers, it appears that DGL must mix with saliva.
DGL may promote the release of salivary compounds, which stimulate the growth and regeneration of stomach and intestinal cells. This study demonstrates DGL as an effective potential alternative to taking over-the-counter stomach ulcer medications if you have any concerns about these medications.
You would take it about 30 minutes before each meal to help your stomach upset issues. On the bottle, you should make sure that there is less than 1 to 2 percent glycyrrhizin in the tablet to make sure that majority of the concerning component is out of the tablets so that you can more safely use this long-term.
For many of my patients, they find that DGL also helps with fatigue because it has traditionally been used for adrenal support as well. Some of the more important takeaway points are that even though most of the glycyrrhizin is out of the DGL, you should still check your blood pressure daily at the start of using this supplement. Once you have been using the DGL for a while and are being monitored by a doctor for the long-term usage of this, you should still check your blood pressure once or twice every week to make sure that your blood pressure remains in your normal range.
Some other key factors to keep in mind are that you should also have your kidney and liver function checked regularly. Although there are generally minimal concerns with usage of DGL, in regard to your liver and kidney function -- as you would with any other medication you use long-term -- I caution all of my patients to treat supplements like a medication in that they should not be cavalier about using supplements, either. If you are on any supplements or medications on a daily basis, you should always have regular blood work done to monitor your liver and kidney functioning.
If you think that you are having any issues, whether it is hypertension or swelling in ankles, you may want to consider coming off the DGL and see if the symptoms improve. You should also see your doctor for a full physical evaluation and discussion about your supplement and medication regimen if you should at any point have any concerns about new or worsening symptoms.
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