What is glycyrrhiza?

Glycyrrhiza is the name of the plant commonly referred to as liquorice. There are about 20 species in the family, with varieties from Europe, Asia, Australia and America. Licorice plants are herbal perennials that are part of the legume family. Glycyrrhizine or glycyrrhizic acid, is one of the main components of plants in this family. It is extremely sweet, about 50 times more than conventional sugar.

The most famous and most commonly used variety is Glycyrrhiza GLABRA or European Licorice. This species is grown mainly in Greece, Turkey and Asia. The plant root is used to produce a sweet extract that can be used to flavor liquorice as well as soft drinks, liqueurs and tobacco products. Sometimes it is also used to mask unpleasant flavors in medicines. Root dietary supplements are usually produced from this species. This type is cultivated by China and is very common in traditional Chinese medicine. It is usually used in conjunction with other herbs and is considered to increase their efficiency.

For thousands of years glycyrrhiza has been used as a medicinal herb. Several ancient cultures, including Greece, Egypt and China, used it for respiratory problems such as cough, consumption and bronchitis. It was also considered to be the treatment of gastritis or inflammation of the stomach lining. In Europe, it is a well -known folk remedy for stomach ulcers.

Research confirmed that glycyrrhiza has healing values. It is believed to have anti -inflammatory properties. It is both standing and demulcent, so it is used to treat colds, asthma and various other respiratory problems. Licorice is sometimes used to treat peptic ulcers and other digestive problems. Other medical uses include the adrenal stimulation and liver cell protection.

There are several potentially dangerous side effects associated with excessive intake of glycyrrhiza. One of the main risks is an increase in blood pressure, so the products thatIt contains it, they are not recommended for people with hypertension. Another possible complication is hypokalaemia or low blood potassium, which can cause heart problems. Glychyrrhiza may also cause fluid or swelling, headaches and abdominal pain. Sometimes supplements are produced with deglycyrrrhized licorice (DGL), where glycyrrhizin was removed to avoid any of its negative effects.