It’s a lovely day to find out about the different health benefits of licorice.
Licorice is used as a flavor for a wide variety of candies or sweets.
It’s also used as a flavoring agent for tobacco.
Here is a list of the health benefits of licorice.
1. Licorice May Be Good For Your Brain
Licorice supports improving learning and memory abilities in diabetics and aids in the prevention of cognitive damage.
2. Is Good For Your Respiratory System
Licorice is used in the treatment of bronchitis, colds, coughs, sore throats, and lung conditions like emphysema.
Additionally, it offers relief from bacterial and viral upper respiratory infections.
It helps clear mucus and other impurities from the bronchi and lungs and functions well as an expectorant.
This helps to relieve bronchial spasms.
3. Licorice May Help Manage Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
According to a book that has been released, licorice helps avoid the adrenal glands from malfunctioning.
It’s in charge of producing hormones like cortisol to control stress in the body and aid in enhancing its general function.
When used to counteract the suppressive impact that steroids have on the adrenal glands, it is thought to be useful in patients who have been on steroids for a long time.
In particular, during the healing process following surgeries, this helps to stimulate the body’s resilience to stress.
Its glycyrrhizinic acid content (Protective Mechanism Of Glycyrrhizin) aids in boosting energy levels and lessens the signs and symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome.
However, excessive drinking should be avoided.
4. May Help Detofixy Your Body
Licorice has laxative properties and aids in the detoxification of the blood supply as well as the colon.
Dehydroglyasperin, a component found in its extracts, has been demonstrated to be helpful in the stimulation of phase-2 detoxification and antioxidant enzymes, according to research.
This aids the body’s removal of toxic wastes that are damaging and dangerous.
5. Licorice May Help Treat Stomach Problems
Licorice contains glycyrrhizic acid, which can help treat the symptoms of dyspepsia or impaired digestion as well as protect against the formation of Helicobacter pylori bacteria.
It has been demonstrated that consuming licorice can increase the levels of prostaglandins produced.
This element will safeguard the digestive system and may also ease stomach discomfort.
It can support a healthy stomach lining and prevent bacterial infections.
Therefore, consuming licorice can help you improve the functionality of a healthy digestive system.
Another herb that’s good for digestion is lesser calamint. I’ve written an article about its health benefits here.
6. May Support Weight Management And Fight Obesity
Extracts from licorice may potentially be useful for avoiding obesity.
The body’s levels of triglycerides and abdominal fat tissues were significantly lower, according to the flavonoid oil’s anti-obesity effects.
In a way, this can also aid in weight management.
7. Licorice May Help Enhance The Immune System
Licorice helps the body’s immunological defense system function better.
Additionally, it aids in raising interferon levels, a virus-fighting compound that, combined with glycyrrhizinic acid, promotes the activity of immune cells and aids in the fight against pathogenic bacteria and viruses like influenza A.
Additionally, licorice may be useful in treating HIV-related illnesses.
According to studies, the glycyrrhizin found in the plant’s roots aids in preventing the spread of the infecting virus by promoting the generation of beta-chemokines.
Additionally, it boosts the body’s immune system and aids in stopping HIV from destroying white blood cells.
8. May Support Skin Health
Licorice root is a fantastic skin healer and helps to treat skin conditions like psoriasis, athlete’s foot, and eczema.
According to studies, using its extracts topically can also help reduce itching and swelling.
In addition, it can also help protect you against UV-induced erythema and has skin-lightening properties.
9. Licorice May Help Protect Your Liver
Studies on the hepatoprotective effects of licorice have produced encouraging findings.
It contains glycyrrhizin, which helps to stabilize the liver’s typical functioning state and is beneficial in the treatment of liver illnesses by lowering toxicity.
Another study has shown that the flavonoid isoliquiritigenin, found in licorice, has antioxidant and inhibitory properties that aid in defending the liver cells against harm brought on by high-fat diets and oxidative stress.
10. May Support Hair Health
By lowering oil production and minimizing dandruff, licorice is useful in preserving good hair.
It also promotes hair growth.
11. Licorice May Help Treat Infections
Glycyrrhizic acid, found in licorice, is useful in treating a range of bacterial, fungal, and viral infections.
Studies have shown that its antiviral properties and its components can stop the herpes virus from spreading.
According to some literature, licorice’s ability to combat infections has been discovered to be helpful in the treatment of shingles, which is brought on by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox.
12. May Help Reduce Depression
It includes helpful flavonoids that aid in the treatment of depression along with necessary minerals including beta-carotene, calcium, and magnesium.
It is reportedly very beneficial for women experiencing premenopausal and postmenopausal depression.
13. Licorice May Help Manage Arthritis
According to a paper that was released, licorice extracts contain anti-inflammatory effects and have been successfully used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
According to research (Can Active Components Of Licorice, Glycyrrhizin And Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Lick Rheumatoid Arthritis?), it might help lower pro-inflammatory cytokine levels as well as for relieving pain and swelling.
14. May Supports Oral Health
The prevention and treatment of dental caries and gingivitis have both proved successful with licorice extracts.
Deglycyrrhizinated licorice’s antibacterial properties help prevent the growth of biofilms and dental plaque, as well as Streptococcus mutans.
Licorice root extracts have long been a staple in the production of toothpaste and mouthwash due to their beneficial antibacterial properties.
15. Licorice May Help Reduce Bad Cholesterol Levels
Antioxidants found in licorice roots help keep cholesterol levels in a healthy range.
Together with other advantageous elements, the flavonoid glabridin helps lower the risk of diseases like atherosclerosis by inhibiting the buildup of low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol.
16. May Support Heart Health
The antioxidant properties of this root’s extracts are useful in preventing cardiovascular stress in diabetics.
Glabridin, a flavonoid found in licorice roots, protects blood vessels from plaque buildup in arteries, promotes blood flow without obstruction in diabetics, and helps provide vascular protection under high glucose situations.
Conclusion
These are just some of the many health benefits of licorice.
I didn’t know that there were this many.
You may have already come across that it’s good for managing arthritis, which I like.
What health benefit of licorice do you need the most?
If you’re thinking about using licorice to help you with your health concerns, please make sure to consult your doctor first.
It’s always better to be safe.
I have more articles about the health benefits of different culinary herbs and spices here.
You may want to check them out as well.
Also, if you think that this article is valuable, please don’t mind sharing it with your family and friends.
As always, thank you and please stay safe.