Licorice root, commonly known as licorice, has been valued for thousands of years in Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Persian medicine, and European folk medicine. Glycyrrhiza is Greek for sweet root. In these traditional medicines, licorice root decoctions and preparations are used to relieve joint pain, reduce inflammation, restore overall balance, and serve as a harmonizing "guiding herb" in multi-drug regimens.
The main component is the triterpene glycoside glycyrrhizin, which is said to be 30-50 times sweeter than sugar.
The roots have numerous medicinal properties, particularly effective for treating peptic ulcers and as an expectorant. Glycyrrhetinic acid, the aglycone of glycyrrhizin, is effective in treating peptic ulcers. It also regulates nerve signals. Glycyrrhizin has pharmacological effects similar to adrenal hormones and is considered effective for treating tuberculosis and fever. It is particularly effective for ulcers and adrenal dysfunction, and therefore has antiasthmatic, anticonvulsant, and antiulcer effects. However, side effects include high blood pressure (pseudoaldosteronism) and edema (swelling). Other suggested effects include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, anticancer, antibacterial, antidiabetic, lipid metabolism improvement, liver protection, immunomodulatory, skin whitening, and hair growth.
Characteristics of licorice
- Scientific name: Glycyrrhiza glabra
- Classification: Fabaceae, Glycyrrhiza genus
- Alias: Licorice
- Appearance: Purple tofu flowers and pinnate leaves, with thick yellow roots
- Cultivation area: Mediterranean coast to Western and Central Asia
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Expected effects
- Anti-inflammatory effects: It has been suggested that it reduces the symptoms of chronic inflammation and inflammatory diseases by suppressing the production of inflammatory cytokines and regulating the NF-κB pathway.
- Antioxidant effect: It has been suggested that it reduces oxidative stress by removing active oxygen and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity.
- Antibacterial effect: It has been suggested that it exhibits growth-inhibiting activity against various bacteria and fungi, contributing to the health of the skin and mucous membrane environment.
- Antiviral effect: It has been reported to have an inhibitory effect on the growth of several viruses, including hepatitis viruses and herpes viruses.
- Antitumor effects: It has been reported that it exhibits cell proliferation inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects on cancer cell lines, including breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, and liver cancer.
- Antidiabetic effect: It has been suggested that this drug contributes to the improvement of abnormal glucose metabolism by lowering blood sugar levels and improving insulin sensitivity.
- Lipid metabolism improvement effect: It has been suggested that this drug promotes the reduction of blood cholesterol and triglycerides, contributing to the improvement of lipid metabolism balance.
- Hepatoprotective effect: It has been suggested that it contributes to the protection of liver function by suppressing hepatocellular injury, inflammation, and fibrosis.
- Immunomodulatory effects: It has been suggested that IL-1 contributes to the maintenance of immune homeostasis by regulating immune cell activity and cytokine balance.
- Improves scalp environment: Its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects have been suggested to contribute to maintaining a healthy scalp environment by reducing scalp inflammation, itching, and dandruff.
