Licorice Root Extract May Help Treat Asthma
Licorice is a common name for Glycyrrhiza Glabra, an aromatic perennial plant of the mint family Lamiaceae, in the family of the same genus as lemon balm and orange blossom. Licorice comes from a Mediterranean tree with long roots (Umbelliferae) that are very useful in the production of sweet, dry wines. This tree, Euterpe Oleracea, is native to Southern Europe and Asia. Licorice tends to grow up to 10 feet tall, with dark green leaves that grow up to two feet long.
Licorice has been used for various health benefits since the ancient Egyptians. In China, licorice root extract was prescribed for treatment of bronchial congestion, indigestion and even diarrhea. In tests-tube studies, licorice root extracts were shown to lower cholesterol (LDL) and improve blood flow in arteries. This improved circulation reduces the risk of blood clots, which in turn lowers your risk of stroke and heart attack.
It is unclear why it works so well at lowering cholesterol and improving circulation. One thing that scientists do know is that it does reduce excess stomach acid, which prevents stomach ulcers. The active ingredient in Licorice, Glycyrrhizin (licorice) blocks acid production in the stomach by preventing formation of new mucous lining, which inhibits the production of gastric acid. It does not prevent or treat heartburn, as many of its competitors' ingredients are, but it does seem to be a good alternative to the standard treatment for acid reflux. A study in the Journal of American Medical Association reported that participants taking half a gram of licorice daily for two weeks experienced a significant improvement in their acid reflux symptoms. In another study, participants who took forty milligrams of licorice per day for two weeks or more experienced a significant reduction in their heartburn symptoms.
One of the potential benefits of licorice in treating asthma is the anti-inflammatory property. Licorice has been proven to have anti-inflammatory properties through both in vitro and in vivo testing; in vitro testing showed that it had an anti-inflammatory effect in human fibroblasts (which form collage-like tissues inside your body). In vivo testing on rats showed that it decreased histamine release in response to allergens, which may help lessen the effects of air pollution. Licorice also appears to reduce mast cell dysfunction, which can result in reduced allergy symptoms. Another study comparing licorice to conventional anti-histamines found that licorice had no significantly greater effect on histamine-related parameters than the test compounds. Licorice may help you get off the allergy medicine all together.
In conclusion, licorice extract may help treat your asthma, as shown by clinical studies and in vitro testing. It may also help treat your other conditions, such as eczema and arthritis, by virtue of its anti-inflammatory effect. The two-week study was small, therefore there isn't enough evidence to recommend using licorice extract as a standard treatment. You should discuss any additional possible side effects with your doctor, however.
Licorice may be one of nature's best kept secrets. It can stimulate the immune system, help increase lung function, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and ease stomach problems. If you have a health problem, such as diabetes, elevated blood pressure or congestive heart failure, you should first try a short-term controlled dosage in order to determine whether it will have a negative effect on your current medications. Licorice root extract has not undergone clinical testing to evaluate its safety in these people, so this is one of the reasons that you should discuss it carefully with your doctor before starting any type of treatment.
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