Family: Leguminosae, Papilionaceae.

Synonyms: Licorice, sweetwood and licorice root.

Parts Used: Dried root.

Active Compounds

Triterpenes of the oleanane type, mainly glycyrrhizin (=glycyrrhizic or glycyrrhizinic acid), and its agylcone glycyrrhetinic acid (glycyrrhitic acid), liquiritic acid, glycyrrhetol, glabrolide, isoglabrolide, licoric acid, & phytosterols.

Flavonoids and isoflavonoids; liquiritigenin, liquiritin, rhamnoliquiritin, neoliquiritin, licoflavonol, licoisoflavones A and B, licoisoflavanone, formononetin, glabrol, glabrone, glyzarin, kumatakenin and others.

Coumarins; liqcoumarin, umbelliferone, herniarin glycyrin.

Chalcones; liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, neosoliquiritin, rhamnoisoliquiritin, licuraside, licochalcones A and B, echinatin and others.

Polysaccharides, mainly glucans.

Volatile oil, containing fenchone, linalool, furfuryl alcohol, benzaldehyde.

Miscellaneous; starch, sugars, amino acid etc.

Medicinal Actions and Uses

Action

Anti-inflammatory, anti-hepatotoxic, anti-spasmodic, demulcent, emetic, expectorant, laxative, rejuvenative, sedative and tonic.

Uses

• Abdominal pain
• Bronchitis
• Colds
• Cough
• Debility (general)
• Heart tonic
• Hyperacidity
• Inflammation
• Laryngitis
• Laxative
• Mucus membrane toner and soother
• Muscle spasms
• Sore throat
• Ulcers
• Painful urination

Glycyrrhizin inhibits the growth of several DNA and RNA viruses, inactivating Herpes simplex virus particles irreversibly. It has a variety of uses in bronchial problems such as catarrh, bronchitis and coughs in general. Liquorice is used in allopathic medicine as a treatment for peptic ulceration, a similar use to its herbal use in gastritis and ulcers. It can be used in the relief of abdominal colic.

It nourishes the brain-increasing cranial and cerebrospinal fluid. Also improves complexion, hair and vision.