* Please Note: Traditional Use information is provided as a courtesy only. Although we have done our best to review the validity of these uses and we continue to revise this information as new data emerges, the traditional uses indicated on this page for this product may be wrong. This information is based on Traditional and Folklore Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA and is not necessarily based on scientific evidence from any source. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Description: Liquorice is a perennial herb of up to 1 m high, with branched rhizomes and woody stems bearing compound leaves and pale purple or white flowers. Chinese liquorice or gan cao (G. uralensis) , is used in much the same way as ordinary liquorice.
Origin: Mediterranean region to Central Asia; cultivated in many parts of the world.
Uses and Properties: Since ancient times, the herb has been used to treat chronic gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastritis, epigastric bloating, flatulence, coughs and externally for skin disorders. Rhizomes are important for the extraction of glycyrrhizic acid, which is used externally for its anti-inflammatory properties, especially in pruritis, piles, sunburn and insect bites. Liquorice is also employed as a sweetening agent, in order to hide the unpleasant taste of medicinal formulations.
Active Ingredients: Several flavonoids, isoflavonoids and chalcones are present. The main flavonoids and chalcones in the fresh root (liquiritin and isoliquiritin respectively) are partially hydrolysed upon drying. The main triterpene saponin is glycyrrhizic acid (2-15%) aglycone, glycyrrhetinic acid, that occur with 24-hydroxyglycyrrhetinic acid (the latter is 50 to 100 times sweeter than sugar) and several other saponins.
Pharmacological Effetcs: Anti-inflammatory activity (glycyrrhizic and glycyrrhetic acids weakly bind to receptors of corticoids, i.e. glucocorticoids, aldosterone); expectorant, secretolytic and secretomotoric properties (presence of saponins). Liquorice also shows some antiviral, antibacterial, cytotoxic (toward cells), antihepatotoxic, antioxidant, anti-histaminic and immune stimulating properties. So far clinical studies have failed to demonstrate anti-ulcerogenic qualities.
Status: Traditional medicine; Pharm,; Comm. E+; WHO 1.
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Directions
Fresh drawn, boiling water contains the most oxygen, thereby giving the fullest taste to tea. Water that has been boiling for some time looses the oxygen and thereby the best taste.
Allow full expansion during the infusion and easy removal after the time for steeping has elapsed.
Draw into a tea pot or kettle the best fresh water that you have available.
Warm the teapot and cups while the water is boiling.
Cautions
Do not take Licorice if you have chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, or any disease that impedes the flow of bile from the liver. Avoid it also if you have abnormal muscle tension, poor kidney function, or low potassium levels in your blood.
When taken in high dosages for an extended period of time, Licorice Root may lead to excessive loss of salt from the blood, water retention, high blood pressure, and heart irregularities. Because of the possibility of these side effects, limit your use of Licorice to 6 weeks. The side effects disappear after the drug is discontinued.
Licorice can increase the potassium loss caused by the other drugs, such as diuretics that flush excess water from the body (Diuril, Zaroxolyn, others). This potassium loss can, in turn, increase your sensitivity to drugs containing digitalis, such as the heart medication Lanoxin.
Licorice may also increase the effects, and unwanted side effects, of steroid medications such as prednisone (Deltasone).
Do not take Licorice preparations during pregnancy.
The mineralocorticoid activities of liquorice, when taken in large doses over prolonged periods (four weeks), can promote hypertonia.
Additional Information
PhytoVie manufactures a wide selection of therapeutic and aromatic teas. The PhytoVie manufacturing process guarantees the quality and consistency of each and every tea bag. Our buyers select only the highest premium quality teas each season, importing from around the world. Each tea bag contains only the finest quality ingredients.
