Liquorice
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Parts Used: Dried root & rhizome
Medicinal actions: General tonic, anti-depressant, adrenal restorative, adrenal tonic, anti-tumor, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-tussive, mucoprotector, expectorant, detoxifier, demulcent, hepatoprotector, anti-ulcer, mild laxative, aldosterone-like action, anti-spasmodic.
Medicinal use:
The herb is best known for supporting adrenal function. It is an anti-stress herb known to increase energy, endurance and vitality, and act as a mild tonic. It has been used to stimulate the hormones for anti-inflammatory action, as well as naturally fortify cortisone levels–arguably the most important hormone in stress and adrenal fatigue.
- In modern herbal medicine it is often used for the purpose of "balancing" the formula and "harmonious connection" between its various components, as well as to improve its taste and to protect the stomach from other plants included in the formula.
- In Traditional Chinese Medicine is used as the plant that links and connects the plants in the formula and helps it to be absorbed and assimilated well by the patient.
Warnings: Studies show that the tendency to suffer side effects is intensified in people with hypertension, people suffering from functional disorders of the liver, people with slow bowel activity, weaned from alcoholism and women taking birth control pills. The side effects may include headaches, hypertension, loss of potassium (hypokalemia), sodium retention and fluid retention (edema), fatigue and possible impairment of heart function. The side effects disappear with a reduction in the dose/stopping the use of the plant.
* it is noted that in the percentage used in our formulas it does not cause the above side effects.