ON THE CovER Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra L. G. uralensis Fisch. ex DC. and G. inflata Batalin (Chinese licorice ), G. echinata L. (East European licorice), and other species of Glycyrrhiza Family: Fabaceae INTRODUCTION Most of the natural licorice imported to the United States today is used to flavor tobacco products.1 Licorice root extract is used i cori~e is nativ~ to ~he Mediterranean, central-to-southern Russta, and Asta Mmor to Iran, and it is now widely culti­ in cough drops, syrups, laxatives, and nicotine lozenges, and it is Lvated throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.! It added to foods to sweeten them. The root is added to teas and is a perennial with aggressive laterally spreading roots and loose can be purchased dried, sliced, or powdered} The root is also sold spikes of pale blue to violet pea flowers in summer.2 The roots or in capsules, tablets, tinctures, and other dietary supplements for stolons (underground horizontal stems) are the most commonly traditional uses or as a flavoring.5 Licorice preparations are added used plant parts and can be harvested after 3 to 4 years of to candy, cakes, ice cream, and packaged desserts, but most of the growth. I candy sold in the United States today as licorice is flavored with a synthetic licorice or flavorings made from anise (Pimpinella HISTORY AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE anisum L., Apiaceae).3 Dioscorides, a first-century Greek physician, coined a name MODERN RESEARCH that was later developed into the genus name Glycyrrhiza, which is derived from a combination of the Greek words, glukos (sweet) Licorice is one of the most extensively researched medicinal and 1 and riza (root) .1 One of the main constituents of the root is food planrs. Studies on licorice have demonstrated positive effects glycyrrhizin (also known as glycyrrhizic acid or glycyrrhizinic for treatment of various types of ulcers and chemoprevention.G acid), which is about 50 times sweeter than sucrose (common Other studies indicate the following: (I) dietary consumption sugar).1 The Roman name, gliquiricia, of licorice root extract may help to lower which became liquiritia, evolved over the cholesterol and act as an antioxidant,6,7 years into licorice} (2) compounds in licorice inhibit sero­ Ancient Arabs used licorice to treat tonin re-uprake and may be useful in the coughs and to relieve constipation.! treatment of mild to moderate depres­ Theophrastus, an ancient Greek physi­ sion in women,S and (3) licorice may help cian and botanist (circa 371 - 286 BCE), reduce body far mass.9 One study suggests documented the use of licorice to assist that topical application of licorice extract with coughs and asthma. Since 25 CE, may be effective in treating the itching the Chinese have used the herb exten­ and inflammation associated with derma­ sively to relieve and prevent cough and titis.10 as an expectorant, as well as an adj u­ Persons with cholestatic liver disorders, vant in many herbal formulas. It also liver cirrhosis, hypertension, hypokalemia relieves spasms of the smooth (involun­ (low levels of potassium in blood), severe tary) muscles and exhibits a cortisone­ kidney insufficiency, and possibly diabe­ like action. Licorice has a long history as tes (unconfirmed contraindication) should a common remedy in Ayurvedic medicine consult a healthcare provider before using 6 for its expectorant, ami-inflammatory, licorice. Licorice is not recommended and laxative properties. The German during pregnancy, as heavy exposure to Commission E approved licorice root for glycyrrhizin may double the risk of birth 11 inflammations of the upper respiratory before 38 weeks. tract and stomach ulcers. I No adverse effects have been associ­ Until around 1000 CE, licorice was ated with licorice root preparations when collected mainly in the wild, which is still used appropriately. Prolonged use (longer a common practice in China.1 Cultivation was recorded in Bolo­ than 6 weeks) and higher doses (generally greater than 50 g gna, Italy, in the 13th century, in Bavaria in the 16th century, and per day) may lead to sodium retention, water retention, and in Northern England by the end of the 16th cenrury.4 potassium loss, all of which may be accompanied by hyperten- Continues on page 4 Photo by Steven Foster. ©2006 stevenfoster.com www.herbalgram.org 2006 HerbaiGram 70 I 1 There's not one reason to join ABC, there are hundreds - front Aloe to Witch Hazel oin thousands of individuals, organizations, and businesses around the Jworld who provide critical support for ABC's educational programs through annual Membership, and in exchange, you'll receive tremendous value through a variety of benefits. 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LICORICE advisory board Continued from page 1 Each issue of Herba/Gram is peer reviewed by members of our Advisory Board and other qualified experts before publication. sion, edema (swelling), hypokalemia, and in rare cases, myoglobinuria (excretion of Cindy K. Angerhofer, PhD Steven Dentali, PhD the m uscle's oxygen-tra nsporting protein, Director of Botanical Research, Aveda Institute, Vice President of Scientific and Technical Affairs, myoglobin, in the urine) .6 Side effects are less Minneapolis, Minnesota American Herbal Products Association, Silver Spring, likely with aqueous licorice root extract than John Thor Arnason, PhD Maryland with isolated glycyrrh izin d ue to the lower Professor of Biology, Department of Biology, Hardy Eshbaugh, PhD intestinal absorption when consumed as part University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Professor of Botany & Assistant Curator, Willard of the total extract.1 2 Dennis V. C. Awang, PhD, FCIC Sherman Turrell Herbarium, Miami University, In 2 separate cases, pulmonary edema and MediPiant Natural Products Consulting Services, Oxford, Ohio life-th reatening ventricular tachycardia (rapid White Rock, B.C., Canada Trish Flaster, MS heart beat) due to hypokalemia occurred as a Bruce Barrett, MD, PhD Executive