Licorice root has many benefits. Anti-ulcer, it is used against gastric and duodenal ulcers. Expectorant, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic, it is particularly useful against coughs, bronchitis, colds, but also against gastritis. Latin name: Glycyrrhiza glabra L. Part of the plant: roots.
This article was updated on 08/02/2023In case of Gastritis
Recommended modes of use
In infusion
Pour 1.5 teaspoons of dry roots, or approximately 4.5 g, into 150 mL of hot water. Leave to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes then filter. Drink 1 to 2 cups per day.
In decoction
Pour 1 teaspoon of dry roots per cup of cold water. Boil for 3 minutes then leave to infuse for 10 minutes. Filter, and drink 1 to 2 cups per day.
In cold maceration
Pour 8 to 16 g of dry or fresh roots into 500 mL of cold water. Leave to macerate for about 6 hours, then filter. Drink during the day.
Plants often associated
In case of' Digestive ulcer
Recommended modes of use
In infusion
Pour 1.5 teaspoons of dry roots, or approximately 4.5 g, into 150 mL of hot water. Leave to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes then filter. Drink 1 to 2 cups per day.
In decoction
Pour 1 teaspoon of dry roots per cup of cold water. Boil for 3 minutes then leave to infuse for 10 minutes. Filter, and drink 1 to 2 cups per day.
In cold maceration
Pour 8 to 16 g of dry or fresh roots into 500 mL of cold water. Leave to macerate for about 6 hours, then filter. Drink during the day.
Plants often associated
In case of' Irritated eyes
Recommended modes of use
In compress
Make a concentrated decoction with 20 g of dry roots per 100 mL of water or an infusion of 5 g of dry roots per 100 mL of water. Let cool. Soak a compress or clean cloth in the preparation then apply to the affected areas.
In lotion
Make an infusion of 5 g of dry roots per 100 mL of water. Filter with a coffee filter, let cool and use as a lotion or eye bath.
Plants often associated
In case of Bronchitis, Cold, Cough, Wet cough, ENT infection, Sore throat, Tracheitis
Recommended modes of use
In infusion
Pour 1.5 teaspoons of dry roots, or approximately 4.5 g, into 150 mL of hot water. Leave to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes then filter. Drink 1 to 2 cups per day.
In decoction
Pour 1 teaspoon of dry roots per cup of cold water. Boil for 3 minutes then leave to infuse for 10 minutes. Filter, and drink 1 to 2 cups per day.
In cold maceration
Pour 8 to 16 g of dry or fresh roots into 500 mL of cold water. Leave to macerate for about 6 hours, then filter. Drink during the day.
Plants often associated
In case of Dyspepsia, Difficult digestion, Digestive disorders, Digestive spasms
Recommended modes of use
In infusion
Pour 1.5 teaspoons of dry roots, or approximately 4.5 g, into 150 mL of hot water. Leave to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes then filter. Drink 1 to 2 cups per day.
In decoction
Pour 1 teaspoon of dry roots per cup of cold water. Boil for 3 minutes then leave to infuse for 10 minutes. Filter, and drink 1 to 2 cups per day.
In cold maceration
Pour 8 to 16 g of dry or fresh roots into 500 mL of cold water. Leave to macerate for about 6 hours, then filter. Drink during the day.
Plants often associated
In case of' Canker sore, stomatitis, gingivitis
Recommended modes of use
In infusion
Pour 1.5 teaspoons of dry roots, or approximately 4.5 g, into 150 mL of hot water. Leave to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes then filter. Drink 1 to 2 cups per day.
In decoction
Pour 1 teaspoon of dry roots per cup of cold water. Boil for 3 minutes then leave to infuse for 10 minutes. Filter, and drink 1 to 2 cups per day.
In cold maceration
Pour 8 to 16 g of dry or fresh roots into 500 mL of cold water. Leave to macerate for about 6 hours, then filter. Drink during the day.
Gargling
Make a concentrated decoction with 20 g of dry roots per 100 mL of water. Leave to cool and use as a gargle.
Plants often associated
In case of Constipation
Recommended modes of use
In infusion
Pour 1.5 teaspoons of dry roots, or approximately 4.5 g, into 150 mL of hot water. Leave to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes then filter. Drink 1 to 2 cups per day.
In decoction
Pour 1 teaspoon of dry roots per cup of cold water. Boil for 3 minutes then leave to infuse for 10 minutes. Filter, and drink 1 to 2 cups per day.
In cold maceration
Pour 8 to 16 g of dry or fresh roots into 500 mL of cold water. Leave to macerate for about 6 hours, then filter. Drink during the day.
Plants often associated
In case of' Eczema, Pruritus
Recommended modes of use
In compress
Make a concentrated decoction with 20 g of dry roots per 100 mL of water or an infusion of 5 g of dry roots per 100 mL of water. Let cool. Soak a compress or clean cloth in the preparation then apply to the affected areas.
In lotion
Make an infusion of 5 g of dry roots per 100 mL of water. Filter with a coffee filter, let cool and use as a lotion or eye bath.
Plants often associated
Properties and active components
Properties
- expectorant (glycyrrhizin)
- antibacterial (glycyrrhizin, flavonoids)
- antiviral (glycyrrhizin)
- antifungal (glycyrrhizin, flavonoids)
- antispasmodic (flavonoids)
- anti-inflammatory (glycyrrhizin, flavonoids)
- antiulcer (glycyrrhizin)
- hepatoprotective (glycyrrhizin)
- antioxidant (glycyrrhizin, flavonoids)
- adrenal stimulant
- healing
Active components
- Triterpene saponosides: glycyrrhizin
- Flavonoids: isoliquiritoside, liquiritoside, liquiritigenin, licochalcone, glabrol, licoricidin, glabrene, glabridin, etc.
- Coumarins: umbelliferone, herniarin
- Polysaccharides: glycyrrhizan
- Phytosterols
- Asparagine
- Tannins
- Essential oils
Precautions for use
- Contraindicated in cases of hypertension and heart or kidney failure.
- Seek medical advice if taking corticosteroids.
- Do not exceed the recommended doses and do not use for a prolonged period (more than 6 weeks).
- Not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Botanical
If Licorice is best known in sticks or candies, its plant does not enjoy such a great reputation. From the family of Fabaceae, Licorice is a sub-shrub with robust, hollow stems that can reach 1 to 2 m high. His alternate leaves are composed of 9 to 17 leaflets, and its blue flowers à yellowish white bloom in June-July, and are arranged in clusters. They then give rise to flat pods 2 cm long and 5 to 6 mm wide.
The well-known root is formed from long underground shoots giving new stem stems. The ideal climate for growing Licorice is one continental climate. It is harvested in spring and fall, from plants at least 3 years old. The main producers of this plant are Russia, there China, there Türkiye, there Bulgaria, l’Italy, l’Iraq and theIran. With a sweet flavor, Licorice root is widely sought after as flavoring or for the liquors. Its name, Glycyrrhiza, means “sweet root” in Greek.
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Bibliography
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