Liquorice boosts natural production of Cortisol

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Liquorice boosts natural production of Cortisol

JoAnn Guest

Jul 09, 2006 14:39 PDT

 

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Liquorice boosts natural production of Cortisol

 

 

 

Liquorice, Glycyrrhiza glabra, is a purple and white flowering

perennial, native of the Mediterranean region and central and

southwest Asia. It is cultivated widely for the sweet taproot that

grows to a depth of four feet (1.2 m).

 

 

Hippocrates named the herb glukos riza, or sweet root. Several

species of this member of the Leguminosae, or pea family, are used

medicinally. The British adopted the spelling liquorice from the

Latin liquiritia and the German name has a similar meaning

(süß `sweet' and Holz `wood'). The same holds for the Sanskrit name

yashti , meaning `stem, stalk; and madhu, meaning `sweet'. The Latin

species name glaber meaning `hairless' refers to the leaves, to

distinguish from some related species having hairy leaves.

 

At all times, liquorice was used less as a spice than as a medicine.

Its use against the diseases of the upper respiratory tract dates

back to ancient Egypt.

 

The main part of the plant used in medicine

is the root. This root is a demulcent and gentle relaxant, soothing

to mucous irritations, and valued chiefly for its sweet taste and in

masking the sharpness / pungency / taste of other remedies.

 

Ayurveda recommends the root as beneficial in the treatment of

coughs, colds, and other bronchial irritations.

 

The root may be

chewed as throat lozenges; or prepared as infusions by removing the

outer bark and boiling for several minutes, to relieve hoarseness

and coughs. During Charaka's period, it was popular among singers as

a lozenge.

 

 

 

Liquorice is used mainly as a spice in many countries. Frequently

used spices termed " sweet " like anise, fennel and star anise cannot

match the sweetness of liquorice. There are many components in

liquorice, but the most active is glycyrrhizin. The root, especially

the root bark, contains about 4% glycyrrhizin, potassium or calcium

salt of glycyrrhizinic acid. Glycyrrhizin is about 50 times sweeter

than cane sugar.

 

Its action is similar to hormones produced in the adrenal cortex,

especially desoxycorticosterone (DOCA). Glycyrrhizin is changed in

the liver to glycyrrhetinic acid. Both these compounds promote the

activation of interferon, a potent, naturally produced antiviral

compound.

 

Once interferon is activated, white blood cells are also called into

play along with killer T.cells to help fight against cold viruses

and herpes simplex.

 

Some antibacterial effects that are exhibited are due more to the

flavonoids contained, than glycyrrhizin. Other components present

are saponins, coumarins, sterols, choline, triterpenoids, lignins,

amino acids including asparagine, gums, biotin, folic acid,

inositol, lecithin, estrogenic substances, pantothenic acid, para-

aminobenzoic acid, phosphorous, pentacyclic terpenes, protein,

sugar, a yellow dye, and vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6 and E. Perhaps this

is the reason for the broad range of effects liquorice has on the

body.

Liquorice contains only traces of essential oil; constituents

identified include bicyclic monterpenoid ketones (fenchone, thujone)

and coumarins (herniarin, umbelliferone).

 

 

 

There are two types of liquorice, " standard " liquorice and " de-

glycyrrhizinated " liquorice (DGL). Each type is suitable for

different conditions. When glycyrrhizin is removed from liquorice,

the product is called deglycyrrhizinated liquorice or DGL.

 

This product is especially useful in treating ulcers of the

digestive tract because of the flavonoids, which are not harmed by

the removal of glycyrrhizin.

 

For respiratory infections, chronic

fatigue syndrome or herpes (topical), the standard liquorice

containing glycyrrhizin should be used.

 

Liquorice root powder can be used in the amount of 5–6 grams per

day. Concentrated extracts may be used in the amount of 250–500 mg

three times a day. Alternatively, a tea can be made by boiling 1/2

ounce of root in 1 pint of water for fifteen minutes, drinking two

to three cups of this per day.

 

Liquorice root, particularly deglycyrrhized liquorice, can be a

useful adjunct to antibiotic treatment because it accelerates the

healing of the stomach lining. Deglycyrrhized liquorice root (DGL)

and glutamine have been used to get people off antacids, H2 blockers

and Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI).

 

 

 

In test tubes, the flavonoids have been known to kill Helicobacter

pylori, the bacteria that cause most ulcers and inflammations of the

stomach.

 

Besides treating ulcers along the digestive tract,

including the mouth, liquorice may be used for viral infections like

a cold, inflammation as in arthritis, menstrual and menopause

disorders, herpes, eczema and psoriasis, allergic disorders, asthma,

chronic fatigue, depression due to hormonal imbalance, emphysema,

 

and hypoglycemia.

 

Ayurveda recommends liquorice as an effective expectorant, helping

to liquefy mucus and facilitate its discharge from the body. In

large doses it is a good emetic for cleansing the lungs and stomach

from excess Kapha. It is a mild laxative, which soothes and tones

the mucous membranes. For colds and respiratory affliction, it can

be combined with fresh ginger.

 

The expectorant effect of liquorice benefits people suffering from

asthma or chest colds with tight coughs or difficult breathing.

Liquorice tea is pleasant tasting and needs no added sugar. It can

be made by simmering a few pieces of the root in a pint of water for

15-20 minutes. The root may be reused 2 or 3 times before new pieces

are needed.

 

 

 

Powdered liquorice is also considered by Ayurvedic medicine as an

excellent remedy for hyperacidity,

 

and clinical tests prove that it is good for relieving pain,

discomfort and other symptoms caused by acid matter in the stomach.

It removes the irritating effects of acids in a better way than

alkalis.

 

Furthermore, liquiritin, a flavonoid glycoside has been identified

has the aglycon liquiritigenin and is spontaneously formed when the

root is dried. This is responsible for the spasmolytic effects of

liquorice.

 

Vatsayana, Kama Sutra recommends equal quantities of clarified

butter, rraw honey, sugar and liquorice be mixed with fennel-juice

and milk to stimulate sexual vigor, and as a preservative of life.

 

Liquorice is also known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic

effects.

 

This is due to the effect it has on the adrenal glands that are

responsible for producing cortisol, the body's own natural

corticosteroid.

 

Glycyrrhizin inhibits prostaglandin production, another component

of the inflammatory process.

 

 

 

Glycyrrhizin also exhibits adapto-genic properties by stimulating

cortisol production when there is not enough and promoting the

breakdown of cortisol when there is too much.

 

Because of this, liquorice is useful to take after stopping

prescription of corticosteroids to boost the natural production of

cortisol.

 

Another adaptogenic effect from liquorice involves estrogen.

Liquorice shows mild estrogenic properties similar to other

phytoestrogens. It has the ability to promote estrogen production

and to interfere with the effects of too much estrogen, especially

from external sources.

 

The flavonoid constituents are thought to be responsible for the

estrogen-like effects, while glycyrrhetinic acid antagonizes

estrogen where there is over-stimulation of estrogen receptors in

the body. All this makes liquorice useful in controlling the

menstrual cycle and in relieving PMS and menopausal symptoms.

 

One of the drawbacks of liquorice is a loss of potassium, which

disappears when liquorice is

stopped.For people with Addison's disease this is exactly the type

of effect needed. In Addison's disease, the body collects sodium and

promotes water loss leading to a serious imbalance of sodium,

potassium, and other minerals and water.

 

 

 

Long-term (more than two to three weeks) intake of products

containing more than 1 gram of glycyrrhizin, i.e., the amount

contained in approximately 10 grams of root, daily is the usual

amount required to cause these effects.

 

 

Liquorice is contraindicated in pregnant women as well as in people

with liver and kidney disorders. De-glycyrrhizinated liquorice

extracts do not cause these side effects because there is no

glycyrrhizin in them.

 

http://www.medindia.net/alternativemedicine/index.asp?

Choice=Liquorice

 

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets