LICORICE (IRATTIMADHURAM)

Licorice is one of most widely used in foods, herbal medicine as well as extensively researched medicinal plants of the world. Especially the holistic science of Ayurveda terms this root powder as yashtimadhu Licorice roots is used for many diseases  like lung diseases, arthritis, kidney diseases, eczema, heart diseases, gastric ulcer, low blood pressure, allergies, liver, toxicity and certain microbial infections

This is a root of Glycyrrhiza glabra a flowering plant of the bean family Fabaceae .In fact its extracts contains sugar, essential oils, starch, bitters, resins, tannins, inorganic salts, and low level of nitrogenous constituents such as protein , individual amino acids and nucleic acids.

Hence it is an herbaceous perennial legume native to western Asia, North African and southern Europe. Although it is used as a flavouring agent in candies and tobacco in some European and West African countries.

Today licorice root as a dietary fibre supplement for conditions such as digestive problems, menopausal symptoms, cough and bacterial and Ural infections.  Despite licorice is mainly used in toothpaste and tobacco

NUTRITIONAL AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

The benefits of this root come from the nutrients embedded in it, moreover the array of healthy nutrients includes Vitamin, Potassium, bioactive constituents like Glycyrrhizin, anethole, sterols, tannins, flavonoids, biotin, resins, sucrose, iodine, saponins, niacin, isoflavones, chalcones, volatile oil etc. Besides the root powder of licorice provides an absolute answer to almost all health problems. Furthermore it supplement of antioxidants which help in several skin infections and flaunt a healthy radiant skin

THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES OF LICORICE

Licorice is one of the most common ayurveda herbs that found in almost every Indian household. and often handed over to chew on whenever someone’s got a sore throat or a chest nasal congestion. Also it extracts help to treat the hepatitis C virus. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine and its properties enhance resistance and recovery from stress related response. The magical root comes in capsules and tablets and as liquid extracts.

The precise healing dosage of licorice may vary from person to person depending upon the age, severity and conditions of the patient. Must consult a doctor before taking  licorice. Minimum therapeutic dosage may range between 1-3 grams for adult, twice daily used in milk or lukewarm water.

LICORICE ROOT EXTRACTS SHOWS ANTITUMOR ACTIVITY

A substance extracted from root, licochalcone- A has been shown anti-tumor activity in acute, leukemia breast and prostate cancer cell lines by lowering the amount of bcl-2, a drug- resistant protein, excess amount of this protein are frequently associated with these cancers.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF LICORICE

• Helps in digestive system

It has the ability to soothing gastric and abdomen troubles including stomach ulcers, heart burn and other inflammation issues affecting stomach.

• Respiratory relief

The root used as remedy for upper respiratory problems. Licorice is also decrease cold and flu like symptoms such as cough and sore throat

• Lower cholesterol

The flavonoids in licorice are increasing the body’s flow of bile, that bile acids lowering the excessive cholesterol in the body.

• Reduce body fat

It can reduce fat by inhibiting beta, hydro steroid dehydrogenase type 1 at the level of fat cells

• Reduce tooth decay

Licorice contains strong anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties. Because may help to kill bacteria in the mouth that cause tooth decay and help in combating bad breath, reducing plague

• Promoting hair growth

 Licorice increase blood circulation in the scalp and hair follicles, which in turn enriches the roots by bringing in more nutrients through the blood supply and help new hair growth. Ayurveda suggest that regular intake of licorice not only cures baldness but also prevents premature graying, sudden hair fall

• Helps in hyper pigmentation

Free radicals can damage melanin forming skin cells and prompt them to produce excess pigment. The root compacts this process by hindering melanin and free radical production

• For cognitive abilities

It is a traditional remedy has potent brain boosting properties. The powerful antioxidants and flavonoids present in the sweet root of the licorice improve the memory capacity, focus calmness and alertness of an individual

• Control liver problems

They have anti-inflammatory properties. They can treat liver anomalies like non- alcoholic fatty liver diseases, liver damage, hepatitis and jaundice. It also helps in soothing the liver and promotes liver functions.

SIDE EFFECTS

Taking too much licorice can cause high blood pressure it can cause swelling, headache, lack of energy, cardiac arrest. You shouldn’t take correct amount of licorice if you have certain health issues

• Hypokalemia
• Chronic hepatitis
• Cholesterol and liver diseases
• Liver cirrhosis
• High blood pressure
• Severe kidney problems
• Untreated hypothyroidism
• If you drink a lot of alcohol doesn’t take licorice it may make many problems, pregnant women and breast feeding mother should also avoid this herb

Referance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquorice

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